HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-12-14-LBAC-min
MEETING MINUTES
Committee Name: Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location of Meeting:
December 14, 2006; 7:00 pm; Town Office Building
Members Present:
Stew Kennedy (BAC chair and acting FOLB chair), John Frey, George Gagliardi,
Marita Hartshorn (acting scribe), Mike Tabaczynski, Jerry Van Hook
Others Present:
Rich Spencer (FOLB)
Members Absent:
Harvey Bingham, Richard Canale (Planning), Hank Manz (Selectmen), Sandra
Shaw (Recreation), Abe Shenker, Jim Wichmann
Record of Votes taken and issues discussed.
Minutes
from the October and November meetings were reviewed and accepted.
Hartwell Ave safety:
The Traffic Mitigation Committee has money in the proposed budget, which
will be acted upon at the 2007 town meeting. The money will be used to study traffic safety on
Hartwell Avenue. Lincoln Lab has committed $5,000 for this purpose. Mike O’Connell, Lexington
Police Department, conveyed to Stew Kennedy that currently there are 15,000 vehicles per day on
Hartwell Ave. In Abe’s absence, details of Lt. O’Connell’s report will be deferred until the January
meeting. Jerry VanHook moved the following: Recommend that a minimum six-foot wide asphalt
sidewalk be installed on both sides of Hartwell Ave. from the Bikeway to Bedford Street. Passed
unanimously.
Minuteman Connector Trail CPC Application:
Mike Tabaczynski recounted the presentations that
have been made for this proposal before the Community Preservation Committee. The CPC’s main
concerns (estimated cost of Master Plan, breakdown of that cost estimate, and final project cost) have
been considered and addressed in subsequent presentations. Next presentation is tonight December 14
at the CPC public hearing at Cary Hall.
Bicycle Safety:
We were apprised of complaints from two concerned citizens.
A letter to the Town Manager from Walter Clemens was forwarded, expressing concern
a.
about the lack of repair on Lexington Roads resulting in dangerous conditions for
cyclists. In it he also decried the lack of maintenance on the lower Vine Brook path.
Stew agreed to invite Mr. Clemens to join the FOLB and participate in our problem
tracking process outlined below.
Ken Brooke, referred to us by Selectman Peter Kelley, called about safety concerns
b.
with the Hancock Street crossing, especially at night. He advocated installing a warning
light for cyclists at the Bikeway gates. Stew will write a letter to Carl Valente regarding
keeping the gates closed. Jerry will call Mr. Brooke to relate our conclusions on his
concerns.
We decided to create a two-part process for addressing road hazards to cyclists:
Have a liaison for people to call or email about hazards. This liaison will notify the
a.
DPW and the LPD regularly.
Maintain a database on hazards to track their repair.
b.
Bikeway Punch List Report: M
ike Tabaczynski, Rich Spencer, Marita Hartshorn, Bill Hadley, and
Dave Pinsonneault rode the bike path on October 28. 2006. John Frey and Marita Hartshorn followed
up the next Friday to check the list. Items, which have been accomplished to date, are pavement STOP
signs at crossings, and new caps on bollards. The signs, bio-barriers, and paving are forthcoming.
Maps to Visitor Center:
The Lexington Visitor Center requested more bike maps. John Frey will
give them all he has. Marita Hartshorn has called Arlington to see if they have more available.
We would like to have a Minuteman Commuter Bikeway sign on the bridge over 128. George
Gagliardi will contact the DPW to see if we can get a sign. Tom Fortmann told Stew Kennedy he
would be willing to contribute toward the cost of the sign.
Meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Record of Friends of Lexington Bikeways votes and discussions.
Treasurer’s Report
: Balance $2,031.30. Bill paid: $177.80 to DPW for stencils, paint, and reflective
tape.
Newsletter:
Jerry, Rich, and Marita have completed their articles. John will write an article on tree
planting along the Bikeway. Mailing list will be updated by Marita, entering database on Abe’s
computer and adding Selectmen, School Committee, some members of the Sidewalk Committee and
some Conservation Stewards Directors.
MAPC Bike Rack Program:
Marita will get quote on ten Triton bike racks and shipping from the
Madrax Company and will follow through with the Recreation Department and the School Committee
for their decisions on bike racks.
Clarke School Bridge:
This project is temporarily on hold due to confusion over leadership /
coordination within the Clarke community. There seem to be parallel tracks being followed.
Tri-Communities Trail (Stoneham, Woburn, Winchester) Status:
Rich Spencer reported that the
initial design study has commenced.
Bikeway Mowing:
Rich also reported that the DPW mowed more aggressively in November as was
requested.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Information Distributed:
Draft minutes from the November 2006 meeting.
Recorder Name:
Marita Hartshorn (acting scribe); Stew Kennedy (editor)
Next Meeting: January 11, 2007, 7PM, Ellen Stone Room in Cary Hall