HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-05-TAC-min Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes
May 5, 2009
Present: Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Francine Stieglitz
Staff: Gail Wagner
Guest: Dawn McKenna
MBTA Letter
➢ Gail developed a draft letter. TAC's edits were reviewed.
➢ A summary of RTAC's funding support will be included in an updated draft.
➢ First draft didn't include specific funding mechanisms, as Selectmen Jeanne
Krieger advised against stating specific funding reforms. Her view Town supports
adequate funding of MBTA and legislators'job to work out funding.
Patriot Partners Rezoning TDM
➢ Sara and Elaine sent emails to the TDM town negotiators (Carl Valente, Jeanne
Krieger, Susan Yanofsky) expressing alarm regarding a shift in Town policy to
exclude funding earmarks for a specific service, such as Lexpress without any
public process or discussion..
➢ This approach runs contrary to the strategy TAC has followed to reduce tax levy
support of Lexpress and provide transportation alternatives for commuters. This
concept has been supported by the Town and Town meeting in approving annual
budgets over the past 5-10 years.
➢ The Town's TDM Policy, spearheaded by TAC and approved by the Planning
Board in 1998, is being challenged in a way that TAC believes is detrimental to
the service and the Town.
Article 48 Designated TDM Funding for Lexpress
➢ TAC's Article 2 report on 4/27/09 stated that while supporting the concept of
designated funding for Lexpress, mitigation should be inclusive and not highlight
just one-service. Three-legged concept (infrastructure,transportation and
implementation/education).
➢ With the Town negotiators' new stance as presented above, TAC feels compelled
to inform Town Meeting of this development.With Article 48 being presented at
town meeting as early as tonight, TAC determined that it was necessary to
immediately re-exam its position on Article 48.
➢ With recurring Lexpress budget issues, TAC feels without budget earmarking,
consistent with practice over the past 10 years, Lexpress cannot contain tax levy
funding, and this will eventually lead to termination of the service.
➢ TAC voted unanimously to support Article 48.
➢ Town Moderator will be asked for time at Town Meeting tonight to present its
new position under Article 2. As a selectmen's advisory board, TAC will alert the
Selectmen.
Prepared by Gail Wagner, Transportation Services Office, May 4, 2009