HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-10-LBAC-min
APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Committee Name: Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location of Meeting
: November 10, 2011, 7 pm, Town Office
Building
Members Present:
Peggy Enders (Chair), Stew Kennedy, John Frey, Marita
Hartshorn, Jerry Van Hook, Bob Hausslein (FoLB Chair), Richard Canale
(Planning Board Liaison), George Gagliardi, Peter Kelley (Selectmen’s Liaison),
Laurel Carpenter
Others Present:
Bob Dangel, Richard Spencer, Tom Fortmann, Chris Filadoro,
Dave Pinsonneault, Joel Adler
Members Absent:
Mike Tabaczynski, Sandra Shaw (Recreation Committee
Liaison)
Minutes
: The October 2011 minutes were accepted as corrected.
Conversation with DPW Operations Manager
: Dave Pinsonneault introduced
new Public Grounds Superintendent Chris Filadoro and said he would serve as
our point person for the Minuteman Bikeway and related bike issues. Dave also
reported on the following:
Sharrows have been painted on Spring Street and Worthen Road. (Peggy
mentioned that stories will be appearing in newspapers and online groups
to inform residents about what sharrows mean.)
Bids for Bikeway drainage work have been returned. The bids are now
being reviewed and will be awarded soon. The bio barriers may have to
wait until spring unless work can begin before the ground freezes. The
committee reminded Dave of its concern about the continuing root upheaval
on the Bikeway and the dangers these pose for cyclists and walkers,
particularly when covered by leaf debris.
Bikeway Intersection Improvements: The town is currently working on the
new intersection at Westview and is waiting for bollards to come in to finish
this intersection. The crossing has been improved, and the gates removed.
The new bollards have a flat flange and can be removed in winter. Eight
bollards of this design have been ordered to replace some of the existing
Bikeway bollards.
The town has started installing the“U” shaped bike racks on the south side
of Mass. Ave. The schools have ordered 14 new racks. We requested a
bike rack to be installed at Monroe if any are left. March 31 the MAPC
installation deadline for reimbursement.
Dave suggested that Chris Filadoro ride with members on the next
evaluation of the Bikeway.
The committee talked with Dave about the concerns that Mass Ave (between
Worthen and Route 128) is a hazard to cyclists where the sewer/water mains are
being replaced. Dave responded that permanent repair is not possible before
spring; however a good temporary repair is much needed. It was mentioned that
Lincoln Street is also in need of resurfacing.
Dave also mentioned that the RFP that Peggy drafted to hire a design engineer for
the DCR-funded Minuteman Bikeway user information project is being reviewed by
John Livsey.
Marita has been in contact with Susan Bennett from the Lexington Historical
Society. They have chosen a “U” shaped rack for the Monroe Tavern. Dave said
the town would be willing to install and Dave will contact Marita for a purchase and
shipping price.
Bikeway Plowing
: The town will need an updated insurance certificate from
Jimmy McLaughlin before plowing this winter. Bill Hadley wants to make sure the
plower hired by the bike committee has town responsibilities that will not conflict
with Bikeway plowing. Dave mentioned that the police have approved the removal
of the bollards for the winter season pending other arrangements to ensure safety
of the Bikeway.
Center Streetscape Plan
: The committee shared with Selectman Kelley its belief
that greater consideration should be given to the original plan for Mass Ave in the
center streetscape – i.e., that Mass Ave be a single lane in each direction with a
center turning lane and bicycle lanes, and, ideally, a wider sidewalk on the south
side of the street. Peter said the streetscape plan is “a work in progress” and
expressed a willingness to consider this request. He said that, in its current
version, bikes are acknowledged with the introduction of sharrows and bike boxes.
Richard Canale expressed his concern that a designer and not a traffic engineer
developed the current plan. Members of the committee proposed that the town
undertake a pilot year -- with two traffic lanes and a center passing lane -- during
th
the 300 celebration when Mass Ave is skim-coated, to see how traffic actually
flows through the center under the original scheme.
On another topic, the committee talked about the lack of easy access to the senior
center from the Minuteman Bikeway. It was suggested that someone from the
committee talk with the Council on Aging about collaborating on this issue.
There was a brief discussion about doing sidewalk and roadway counts of cyclists
and walkers as well as the importance of educating children about the health and
value of bicycle riding.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways
Treasurer’s report: Bob Hausslein reported the current balance at $10,476.06.
Jim McLaughlin will be paid $70/hour for plowing during the coming winter.
Many volunteers cleaned up the bike path after the Halloween Storm including 92
boy scouts and a number of individual bike commuters. The area around
Seasons’ Four in both directions still has considerable overhang. Bob Dangel
plans to organize a post-Thanksgiving clean-up day.
Joey Glusko requested a tri-town meeting for next spring. The activities under the
new DCR grant are the proposed focus.
Richard Spencer observed that East Lexington and Arlington Heights appeared to
have been plowed after the storm.
Bob Hausslein is researching how other towns with bike paths organize their
clean-up activities.
The next LBAC/FoLB meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 8, at 7 pm in
Room 111.
Items Shared or Distributed:
November Agenda
October Meeting Minutes
Email from Jeff Roth
Memo from Jerry Van Hook re Center Streetscape
“What’s New on Worthen Road and Spring Street: Sharrows”
Recorder: Marita Hartshorn
Editor: Peggy Enders