HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-09-TAC-min Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes
March 9,2009
Present: Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Francine Stieglitz,
Liaison: Richard Canale
Staff: Gail Wagner
Beal Corporation's Traffic Mitigation Ledgemont 3
➢ TAC is deliberating their position regarding the one-time $200,000 payment.
➢ Annual payments are preferred as to managing the Lexpress budget. Sara expressed this
point at a recent Selectmen's meeting. In response, Selectmen Cohen noted the
advantage of upfront payments and comments received as to empty Lexpress buses.
➢ Annual payments tied to CPI based on a period of 50 years is likely to exceed a one-time
payment.
➢ A large Lexpress stabilization account may deter Town Meeting support for annual tax
levy appropriations. Given the size of the Lexpress budget, Gail does not envision
Lexpress being able to operate without significant tax levy support. .
➢ It was suggested that Beal could be asked for several years of annual $10,000 payments
to bolster the one-time payment.
➢ Richard noted Spring Street residents are not totally satisfied with neighborhood
mitigation measures. Will Lexpress be viewed as siphoning off mitigation funds?
➢ Susan Yanofsky, Economic Development Officer, contacted Sara last week regarding a
meeting to discuss Beal's mitigation terms. Sara will follow up with Susan and report
back to TAC.
Article 48- TDM agreements mandating Lexpress contributions
➢ Dawn McKenna's citizen article would give a developer the option of annual
contributions to Lexpress or a one-time payment based on a formula assuming 50 year
special permit that includes a CPI value(an average of the prior 10 year CPI).
➢ While TAC supports developers' contributions to Lexpress through traffic mitigation,
there are many vying interest for mitigation funds. Could this article create public debate
that would not be beneficial to Lexpress?
➢ Town Meeting is reviewing several development plans and Hartwell Traffic Mitigation
Overlay District. Are there too many related issues at the moment?
➢ Dawn will be invited to an upcoming TAC meeting to discuss TAC's reservations.
Article 45 —Hartwell Transportation Management Overlay District
➢ Article is written more like a legal document than a framework for policy development.
➢ Wording was discussed as to intended meaning in relation to Lexpress funding and
support of transit.
➢ Difficult to take a position when unsure of meaning.
Prepared by Gail Wagner, Transportation Services Office, March 12, 2009.
Next TAC meeting March 16, 8:30 am, Room 111.