HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-14-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee
Date: December 14, 2010
Members Present: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Bill Levison, Francine Stieglitz
Members Absent: Sally Castleman, Peter Levy, Larry Link
Liaisons: Hank Manz, Board of Selectmen and Richard Canale, Planning Board
Staff: Gail Wagner
TAC meeting minutes for November 9, 2010 were voted on and approved with edits.
Lexpress Update
➢ November ridership was approximately 200 more than November 2009. Fare revenue
was up by $239. From year to year, slight monthly fluctuations are attributed to changes
in total weekday service days per month.
➢ Riders on the Route 4 to and from Lahey Lexington were tracked the week of November
3 0. There were a total of 10 Lahey riders. All rides were between l Dam and noon runs.
➢ Student riders in FYI 0 and FYI I to date have decreased. LHS total enrollment numbers
and a breakout of 9th and 10 graders, optimum years for riding Lexpress, were
compared. High school enrollment data between 2007 and 2010 was very consistent and
did not account for a decrease in student Lexpress riders.
➢ Lexpress phone line has not been in service for several days due to an erroneous Verizon
service change order. A temporary phone number is posted on the Town website.
Restoration is expected within a day.
Senior Transportation Field Trip on MBTA to secure Senior Access Cards
➢ Larry Link led a group of four seniors to Downtown Crossing in Boston on December 9
to secure MBTA Senior Access cards.
➢ Travel was via MBTA buses and subways.
➢ Feedback from Larry and senior participants was very positive.
➢ A repeat trip will be considered this Spring.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
➢ Larry Link is developing a State grant application due Dec 17 for EV Charging Stations
in Lexington. By 2025, the State intends to be more energy efficient and less oil
dependent. Electric vehicles are part of this plan.
➢ Larry's draft document was shared with TAC members.
➢ Town coordination of application was raised. Town Manager signs all town documents,
such as grant applications, filed on behalf of the Town.
Extended MBTA Weekend Service to Lexington
➢ On behalf of the Tourism Committee, Dawn McKenna has requested a meeting with
Lexington's State Representative, Jay Kaufman, and a representative of the MBTA.
This meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2011 at the State House. TAC and Gail have
been invited to attend.
➢ Gail has accepted the invite as she feels it is a rare opportunity to speak to the MBTA
about extension of existing MBTA routes running in adjacent towns on Sundays.
Examples: Route 77 terminating on Mass Ave in Arlington Heights and Route 78
operating on the East Service Road and Watertown Street in Lexington.
➢ TAC would like to confirm Dawn's agenda before responding. Is it strictly a weekend
service discussion as promoted by the Tourism Committee or will discussion include
broader town topics, such as MBTA service on Hartwell Avenue?
➢ Hank reported that Selectmen have not been informed. He will speak to Representative
Kaufman and Dawn.
Transit Tax Break in Jeopardy
➢ Richard reported that the transit tax break is set to expire in 2011. However, drivers'
annual $230 pre -tax break will continue.
➢ Letters to MA congressional delegation were encouraged to maintain the transit tax
deduction.
Hartwell Avenue TMOD
➢ The Planning Board will hold a public hearing for special permit and site development of
proposed Hartwell Square development.
➢ The PTDM plan submitted by the developers proposed interest in joining a future
Hartwell Avenue TMA.
➢ TMA issues for Hartwell Avenue remain unclear under new Hartwell TDM regulations.
Documents
Agenda
TAC Minutes November 9, 2010
Lexpress November Summary
Draft Electric Vehicle Grant Application
Draft Site Development and Use Plan 12 -18 Hartwell Avenue
Recorder: Gail Wagner
Editor: Bill Levison