HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-02-TAC-min Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes
December 2,2008
Present: Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Danny Moraff, Bill Levison, Francine Stieglitz
Staff: Gail Wagner
Liaisons: Hank Manz, Richard Canale
Lexpress Budget
➢ Departmental budget reviews begin this week. Lexpress budget reflects a reduction of tax levy
funds due to an increase in projected fares and TDM zoning conditions.
➢ If reductions are imposed, Lexpress expenses must be reduced. Total cost of program is the
baseline of reductions.
TDM Negotiation Points
➢ TAC would like consistency in new TDM agreements.
➢ A memo regarding this issue was developed by Sara and reviewed. After edits, it will be sent to
Traffic Mitigation Group.
Hartwell Avenue/Zoning Bylaws
➢ Planning Board was tasked with developing bylaws in response to developers desire for an
increased floor area ratio (FAR).
➢ Richard solicited TAC input regarding transportation implications.
➢ Planning Board has agreed on guiding concepts (predictability, consistency, fairness), but little
else.
➢ Traffic density at peak commute hours is an issue on Hartwell Avenue. Traffic and impact on
surrounding neighborhoods is a community issue. Travel options were discussed including re-
structuring existing MBTA routes and lunch shuttles.
➢ Past surveys indicate most employees working on Hartwell commute from points North along
Route 3. Commuting options are limited.
➢ Creation of Park and Ride lots along Route 3 and formation of traffic Mitigation Management
Association were discussed. Liberty Ride was raised as an AM commute option.
➢ Hartwell also experiences significant commuter cut-through traffic.
➢ December 10 is the date that the Planning Board is to present its Hartwell Warrant Article. The
Board is very divided on travel issues.
➢ Attendees stated that the Planning Board's lack of progress will not be well received at Town
Meeting and advised that a consultant should be hired to draft policy.
Marrett/Spring/Bridge Intersection
➢ December 3, a public meeting will be held to review plans for sidewalks and intersection
improvements on Spring Street at Marrett Road. The Moore Grant, MA Economic Development
program, is the source of funding resulting from Shire Pharmaceuticals relocation to Lexington.
Lexpress Route Modifications
➢ A Lexpress bus at Lexington High School at 5:00 pm and 5:30 pm to shuttle students to Depot
Square for connecting Lexpress routes may increase ridership. Gail will discuss with
Transportation Dean at LHS. If approved, this shuttle service will begin in January. The public
will be notified by handouts to students on Lexpress and on the LHS parent Listserve.
Option of lunch shuttles was discussed. A lunch shuttle from Hartwell Ave was tried in the past
and not successful. A primary concern is the frequency of a shuttle since employees' breaks are
limited.
Lexington Commuter Ideas
➢ Ideas to manage commuter traffic generated were raised.
➢ Hartwell Avenue: modified MBTA routes, extended Lexpress routes, Liberty Ride
➢ Creation of Park and Ride lots along Route 3 and into Alewife MBTA station.
➢ Formation of Traffic Management Associations by employers to create links from transit hubs.
Lexpress Issues
➢ Sara reported excessive rattling. Bus 272 with the panels for ads installed by the contractor was
specifically mentioned. Gail will speak to the contractor.
➢ Google Transit Link is now part of the Lexpress website. Danny was congratulated.
Prepared by Gail Wagner, Transportation Services Office, December 5, 2008.
Next meeting, January 6 or 7, 2009.