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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-13-LBAC-min MEETING MINUTES Committee Name: Bicycle Advisory Committee Date, Time and Location of Meeting: April 13, 2006; 7:00 pm; Rm G-15, Town Office Building Members Present: Stew Kennedy (BAC chair), Harvey Bingham (scribe), Erna Greene, Marita Hartshorn, Abe Shenker (FOB Chair), Mike Tabaczynski, Jerry VanHook, Jim Wichmann Others Present: Rich Spencer (FOB), George Gagliardi (FOB), Dick Canale (Planning Board BAC liaison), Hank Manz (BoS BAC liaison), Duke Bitsko (The Bioengineering Group), Michael Lawrence (HKT Architects) Members Absent: John Frey Record of Votes taken and issues discussed. DPW (201 Bedford St.) Plans: Michael Lawrence and Duke Bitsko, representing the team doing the preliminary planning for the redesign of the DPW facility at 201 Bedford St., had been invited to describe some of the concepts being envisioned for the facility and to hear ideas from us on how the site can be better tied to the Bikeway in a way to benefit Bikeway users. It was an interesting discussion, as the BAC enthusiastically endorses the possibilities of aesthetic and functional improvements. Some of the offered comments / suggestions follow. ?? Public parking for Bikeway users would be a boon. It would be most used on weekends, when the DPW is not open and busy. Provision of 20 spaces seems about right. We pointed out our charter in the Comprehensive Plan to find and recommend non-Center parking opportunities for Bikeway users. ?? Public access to restrooms would be great. The facility at the Visitor Center beside Meriam St. is the only spot for miles right now, and it is only open during Visitor Center hours. This results in a toll on “nature”. New restrooms could be closed at night, to avoid vandalism, as the Bikeway isn’t used then anyway. ?? A pull-off spot with bike rack and benches (and easy access to the parking lot – and restrooms) should be added. It could include signage telling the interesting history of the site: the trolley line and off-season storage for the trolleys. ?? Enhancement of greenspace should be designed. Right now the passage by the site is one of the least attractive along the entire Bikeway. A parklike feel should be possible to achieve, as the North Lexington Brook is a beautiful stream when given the chance. ?? The area is 90% impervious surface now, with much stormwater runoff going into the brook. This should be changed. ?? Why not design a green roof and harvest roof runoff for use. Also, the building could have geothermal heating. ?? Any stabilization of the stream bank should take into consideration the fact that serious erosion near the bank once caused a collapse of part of the Bikeway pavement. Minutes from the March 9 meeting were reviewed and accepted. Traffic Mitigation: Jerry and Dick Canale reported on the Traffic Mitigation Group’s recent meetings regarding the Starwoods Hotels’ agreements of interest to us: to paint bike lane stripes on Mass Ave from Wood St. to Marrett Road, and to provide bike racks (originally just enough for employees, but then expanded to include guests). We went on to discuss recommending a town policy for provision of bike racks in any new projects. Dick suggested when considering new projects we should think in terms of what would make bicycling more accessible, safe and convenient. Cambridge’s policy of requiring parking for one bike for every 10 cars is a good idea. BMPO Funding for Racks : Dick announced the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization has funding for transportation enhancements, possibly including bike racks, but the application is needed immediately. Dick has contact info (for BMPO’s Barbara Lucas.) Marita agreed to write a justification letter to BMPO, and a motion was passed authorizing this. Meanwhile, all members are to consider spots in town where new racks are needed and to bring these ideas to next month’s meeting. Bikeway Signage: Regarding our survey of missing and damaged signs along the Bikeway, Stew has all the inputs now (except maybe Harvey’s) and needs to merge them together. Accident Report : To inquiries about the investigation into the accident that lead to Steven Groves’ death, Stew was told the report can’t be discussed until complete. But today’s Minuteman newspaper has a report, so the investigation must be finished. Abe and Stew will pursue talking to the police and trying to see what if anything can be learned from the accident to improve bicycling safety. Miscellaneous : 1. The MWRA sewer relining project may start as early as May. Hank will email a scanned map showing the project extent. 2. Marita will contact the principal about the May 27 boardwalk project near Bowman School. Stew will contact the affected property owner on Blossomcrest. 3. Rich will set up a meeting with Dave Pinsonneault about the Bikeway edge mowing, as Dave had asked that we meet with him this spring before the mowing season arrives. Rich and Stew agreed to attend the meeting. Record of Friends of the Bikeway votes and discussions. Bikeway Cleanup, May 6 : Plans were reviewed and finalized for the annual Bikeway cleanup on May 6. Stew reported on Starbucks’ plan to advertise the event and participate with volunteers, and to have tee shirts and gloves to hand out. Marita will follow up with Girl Scouts, who had expressed interest in participating. Stew will follow on Arlington FOB interest in perhaps doing a cleanup on the same day. Earth Day festival : Plans were reviewed and finalized for our table at the April 29 Earth Day festival. Table, chairs, maps and literature to hand out, Bikeway historical photos, and FOB membership forms are accounted for. Harvey will mount photos of our trail building projects and scenes in conservation areas for display. Information Distributed: Draft minutes from the March 9, 2006 meeting Draft of the Bikeway sign survey (incomplete) MWRA Section 93A Force Main Rehabilitation Project Description Recorder Name: Harvey Bingham, scribe; Stew Kennedy, editor