HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-10-14-TAC-min.pdf Lexington Transportation Advisory Committee
Wednesday, October 14, 1998 Meeting
7.30 PM, Room 111
Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Don Graham Ben Turk
Sara Arnold Sally Castleman
Ed Ganshirt Lorraine Pacocha
Betty Eddison Nancy Kolb
1. An update was given on CNG bus procurement.Nancy Kolb reported new information
regarding maintenance of the CNG buses.Completing the maintenance in house would
require some capital investment in the DPW facilities.New ventilation and methane
detection system would be required.Other requirements may follow if the Federal
government begins to regulate this operating area.There has been interest expressed in
out of house maintenance by John Deere, Specialty Coach& Bus,Dudley Automotive
Services,and Paul Revere Transportation.An initial cost estimate by SC&B was
$135,000 annually, based on mileage accrued on the buses.This is greater than the high
end maintenance estimate of$84,000 that was previously calculated. Further information
continues to be sought in all areas of the bus procurement.Betty Eddison suggested
contacting Senator Kennedy's office regarding the status of bus funding. Nancy Kolb will
look into cost for new card reader for fueling at Hanscom.Final decision on whether or
not to go forward with the CNG bus project will be made at the next TAC meeting on
Wednesday,November 4, 1998.
2. Two entries have been received on the logo contest,with lots of phone calls about the
contest. Most entries are expected during the last week in October.
3. Liz Andrews reconsidered her previous commitment to the TAC and does not wish to
continue her role at this time.The TAC should identify a new member and ask for Liz's
resignation.
4. Don Graham reported on the Chairperson's Breakfast with the Selectmen. It was well
attended and each chairperson was given an opportunity for a brief presentation on the
activities of their committee.Don reported on the CNG bus project.
5. Minutes of the September 3, 1998 meeting were approved.
6. Policies for Chair Car use(between 10 AM and 2 PM)were discussed. Current policy is
self determination of need for frail seniors over 60 or those that are mobility-impaired.
Ridership is growing rapidly which is causing increased expenses. In the past,these
increases have been covered by Lahey Clinic finding, which is no longer available.
Suggestions included researching other towns chair car policies,restricting the number of
rides by person or the type of rides that are allowable,returning to Lahey Clinic for
additional support, selling books of tickets,referring riders to the MBTA's The Ride.
Don Graham will attend a meeting with Nancy Kolb and Council on Aging staff to
discuss these further.
7 A letter requesting additional LEXPRESS service to Clark Middle School appeared
recently in the Minuteman requesting others who had similar needs to contact the
LEXPRESS office. We received two calls in addition to the initial request. There is some
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conflict in the urea of middle school students since there does not appear to be a great
number of 11 12-13 year olds with passes. Some concern was expressed regarding
changing LEXPRESS service in response to 3 parties requests. Suggestions were made to
contact the principles of the Middle Schools for their input regarding LEXPRESS
service,to request demographic information from Bob Bowyer and to publicize the safe,
friendly service in a way that may appeal to parents of Middle School students.
8. Nancy Kolb is working on the FY00 budget.Increases will be requested for Chair Car
and LEXPRESS contractual services.Numbers are still being developed and are due to
George Woodbury next week.
9 A request was received for a LEXPRESS route traveling to/from Concord.The request
was sent to the Chamber of Commerce as well.Nancy Kolb will follow up with Marcy
Quill regarding a response.
10. The LEXPRESS office is purchasing a new coin machine. The 1920's model that was
being used has been breaking down regularly and need to be replaced.The new machine
will sort and count the coin,but will not roll it. The bank has agreed to take counted,
unrolled coin.
11. Next meeting: Wednesday,November 4, 1998, 7:30 PM, Room 111
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