HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-09-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee
Date: November 9, 2010
Members Present: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Larry Link, Bill Levison, Francine Stieglitz
Member Absent: Sally Castleman, Peter Levy
Liaisons: Nancy Adler, Council of Aging Board
Guest: Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services Director
Staff: Gail Wagner
TAC meeting minutes for October 12, 2010 were voted on and approved.
Senior Transportation Field Trip on MBTA to secure Senior Access Cards
➢ Larry developed event flyer. Feedback was given to include COA phone number and list
date and time more prominently. Event is December 9 at 1 pm. To compliment the
MBTA schedule, meeting time at the COA will be advanced in subsequent listings.
➢ Larry, Bill and Gail will accompany the group.
➢ Sign up is through the COA registration desk.
Senior Transportation Survey
➢ Marian Cohen of the COA Board and Brianna Olson, Town Manager intern, compiled
the survey. It was tailored to assess unmet senor needs rather than a town wide view.
➢ Lexington's population has remained in the 30,000 range for some years. Senior citizens
(over 60) are in the 8,000 range.
➢ Charlotte explained that among seniors the 85+ group is the fastest growing. This
segment was described as frail, homebound, and committed to living at home.
➢ Transportation for frail seniors and disabled adults is a primary unmet concern.
➢ The COA board is researching this topic with the help of a student COA intern.
➢ Emerging ideas are: taxi vouchers or a pilot van service. These services could bring
homebound residents to special events at the COA. Funding would be through the
Friends of the COA.
➢ Gail suggested research include inventory of School Dept. LABB vans and availability
when not in use.
Hartwell Avenue TMOD
➢ A few of TAC suggestions were included in the TMOD document which was approved
by the Planning Board.
➢ Richard Canale at this meeting abstained from voting on the final document, as he felt the
process was rushed.
➢ TAC sees the absence of start -up TMA funding as problematic. It was speculated that a
Town Meeting Warrant Article may be the eventual funding mechanism.
Lexpress Update
➢ Riders on the Route 4 extension, Concord Ave west of Waltham Street, were tracked the
last week in October. Riders totaled 34. Most riders on lam and 3pm runs.
➢ October ridership was approximately 200 less than October 2009. Fare revenue was
approximately the same.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
➢ Bill and Peter compiled an energy usage report and submitted it to the Town Energy
Conservation Commission (ECC) who will meet on November 10.
➢ State is looking for "shovel ready" projects including partners to assist towns with
expenses. State grant per charging station is approximately $2,500.
➢ Bill researched the Element Hotel's charging station. The hotel clerk reported it has been
used "about a dozen times" in the past year.
➢ No information as to a Town plan to purchase electric vehicles has been secured.
➢ TAC will pursue ECC's input. Given information to date, TAC is not inclined to support
submitting a grant application. Larry will respond to Carl.
TAC Town Report
➢ Sara circulated a Draft for comments.
Documents
Agenda
TAC Minutes October 12, 2010
Town of Lexington Transportation Survey (2010)
Initial Transportation Survey Results, October 25, 2010
Lexpress Survey 02
Lexpress Survey Results 02
Lexpress Rider Counts for Route 4 - Concord Ave Extension
Lexpress October Summary
Relative "Greenness" of Electric Vehicle Technology
TAC Annual Report Draft
Recorder: Gail Wagner
Editor: Bill Levison