HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-11-TAC-minFebruary 11, 2025 Minutes
Transportation Advisory Committee
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts
Location: Pursuant to the ............ ,!) M.ggL ig ,U ��r, the meeting was held remotely by Zoom
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ft,;i, /.\.11.0 r V 1gyC� on June 28, 2023.
Scheduled time: 7:30 pm
Members Present: Kunal Botla (chair), Nishanth Veeragandham (secretary) (joined late), Sally
Castleman, Mark Andersen, James Luker, Daniel Asta (joined late).
A quorum was present throughout the meeting. All votes were taken by a roll call vote.
Members Absent: Pamela Lyons (vice -chair).
Liaisons Present: Susan Barrett, Town Transportation Manager; Jill Hai, Select Board; Melanie
Thompson, Planning Board; Sebastian Fairbairn, Student Liaison; Sudhir Jain, Council on
Aging.
Liaisons Absent: None.
Other Present: None.
Kunal Botla called the meeting to order after 7:30 pm and read the remote meeting
authorization statement. Kunal confirmed attendance by roll call; all attending remotely.
Public Comment
None made.
Minutes
December 10, 2024 meetings minutes were approved, with minor edits, by a motion duly
seconded and approved by roll call vote.
January 14, 2025 meetings minutes were approved, with minor edits, by a motion duly
seconded and approved by roll call vote.
Update on Lexpress
Susan presented information on the sale of Limitless passes. In FY24, the first year, 687 passes
were sold. In FY25, so far, 667 were sold. Susan noted the lag on reporting sales made at LHS
and Michalsons. Susan presented information on rideship on the three routes.
Mark suggested that the Committee discuss shifting from fiscal year pass sale to 12 -months
based on purchase date. Sudhir asked about taxi funding.
Kunal asked about technology and Susan shared some information on how Lexpress could
upgrade its vendor.
Discuss and Consider Comments for Any Applications Submitted to the Planning Board
or Board of Appeal and Policies Related to Planning/Zoning/Town Code
None were discussed, it was decided that we can discuss active submissions at a later date.
Discuss and Consider Comments about Bedford Street/Hartwell Avenue Design
Members discussed the current design plans for the Bedford Street and Hartwell Avenue
corridor. Concerns were raised about the lack of a dedicated bus lane and how that might
affect future transit operations. Pam highlighted the importance of maintaining a vision for
long-term improvements. Jill suggested coordinating with other boards to express shared
priorities. The Committee agreed that Kunal would prepare a memo summarizing key concerns
and recommendations.
Discuss and Consider Comments about Planning 2/12/25 Hearing / STM25-1 Art. 2 /
ATM25 Art. 34
The Committee briefly reviewed the proposed articles related to transportation. Members
agreed that the proposed zoning changes warranted close monitoring, particularly for their
potential impacts on traffic, bike/ped access, and transit connectivity. No formal comments
were made at this time.
Liaison Updates
• Transportation Manager, Susan Barrett: Safe Routes to School updates from Susan.
• Select Board, Jill Hai: No update.
• Planning Board, Melanie Thompson: Melanie updated the Committee on current
development applications under review and encouraged continued feedback on
transportation -related impacts.
• Council on Aging, Sudhir Jain: Sudhir shared feedback from the COA regarding
pedestrian infrastructure gaps affecting older adults, especially along major corridors.
• Student Liaison, Sebastian Fairbairn: Sebastian noted student concerns about bike
route safety and suggested improvements in wayfinding signage for youth riders.
Future Meetings
The Committee confirmed its next regular meeting will be held on March 11, 2025, at 7:30 pm
via Zoom. Kunal encouraged members to submit agenda items in advance.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 pm by a motion duly made, seconded, and approved
unanimously by roll -call vote.
Documents Referenced
1. February 11, 2024 Agenda, Transportation Advisory Committee, Town of Lexington
o On file with the Town Clerk
2. Draft — Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes for December 10, 2024
o Approved minutes on file with the Town Clerk
3. Draft — Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes for January 14, 2025
o Approved minutes on file with the Town Clerk
Respectfully submitted,
Kunal Botla, Chair