HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-09-TAC-min Minutes for Transportation Advisory Committee
October 9,2007
Present: TAC members: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Sally Castleman, Bill Levison, Francine
Stieglitz, Gail Wagner
Lexpress FY09 Budget
➢ Four budgets based on variations in start times were presented.
➢ Selected budget was 6:3 Dam start during school months and 7am non-school months.
➢ Revenues will be $80,000; same as FY08.
➢ TDM will increase; tentatively $72,114.
➢ Fuel adjustment will be reduced to $5,000; FY08 was $10,000.
TDM Funds
➢ Gail is seeking confirmation from finance office as to interest rate for newly formed
TDM account, ability to deposit into TDM account, and formulation of donations
account.
➢ Avalon/Met State purchase of$10,000 tickets as a first of a two-year obligation will go to
the TDM accounts as a special zoning requirement. This payment will boost the FY09
TDM amount. Gail needs to confirm date of receipt of second year payment before
including it in the FY09 budget.
➢ Shire Pharmaceuticals expansion to Lexington would result in doubling the Lex Tech
Park annual payment to $20,000.
➢ 16 Hayden Avenue's agreement was for a minimum of 10 years and is met in 2008.
Continuation of an annual contribution to ensure a Lahey Clinic stop will be explored.
➢ Starwoods lump sum payment of$200,000 is due upon receipt of occupancy and may
happen as early as Spring 2008. An annual budget draw will need to be determined.
Lexpress Ridership
➢ September rider to vehicle hour ratio was an impressive 9.9. Gail noted increased
ridership throughout the day.
➢ Advancing the start time of Route 2 to 6:35am has resulted in a reduction of Route 2
riders. Route 1 has stayed constant and is arriving at LHS at approximately 7:3 Dam.
➢ There has been only one recent pass refund request from a Route 1 rider.
Inappropriate Student Behavior on Lexpress
➢ Jeanne Krieger reported that a group of students after school on Route 2 were quite wild
and that the driver threatened to call the Police if it continued.
➢ Gail spoke to the drivers and learned there is a group of 5 students from Lexington Ridge
who intermittently act up after school on Routes 2 and 5.
➢ Gail has been riding these routes and consulted the town social worker and Police. A
handout of bus conduct and consequences for noncompliance was distributed.
Bill's Accounting Reports
➢ As terms of operating with no town budget in FY04 after the failed override, Bill
developed monthly accounting reports for the Selectmen. The reports were a
comprehensive summary of expenses and projections and TAC requested that Bill
continue the practice. But, given new accounting variables and guaranteed funding
through Town Meeting, the standard Lexpress monthly reports will suffice.
Upcoming Meeting Discussions
➢ Role of Lexpress in the community; what is Lexpress
➢ Dialogue with School Committee regarding school bus policies and community impact