HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-12-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Minutes — December 12, 2011
Attendees:
TAC Members present: Bill Levison, Peter Levy, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Francine
Stieglitz
TAC Members absent: Larry Link, Marty Cohen
Staff: Sara Arnold, Pauline Burke, Jeanette Rebecchi, Charlotte Rodgers
1. TAC Membership: Bill Levison agreed to distribute a list of committee members.
2. Minutes: The November minutes were accepted.
3. Introduction: Charlotte Rodgers introduced Jeanette Rebecchi as the new
Transportation Coordinator. Committee members introduced themselves. Charlotte
expressed her appreciation for the work done by Sara Arnold and Pauline Burke covering
the Lexpress office over the past six months. It was also mentioned that Bill deserved
accolades for all his efforts relating to the Lexpress contract process.
4. Lexpress Update: Data show that ridership is down, particularly because senior citizen
use has declined. There is concern about this decrease, and it was noted that marketing to
this population is needed.
Sara discussed "scholarship passes ", which are issued for those who meet an income
threshold. These passes represent about $10,000. It was agreed that TAC would like a
better understanding of how this works, and it was questioned whether the Lexpress
budget should be absorbing this cost.
Sara mentioned that there is currently no formal definition of a family pass that is being
used in the office. It was voted that a family pass should be for two adults plus children
18 and under who live in the same household. This was a definition used in previous
years.
A recommendation for an indefinite extension of the point -to -point program was
presented to the Selectmen with a request for approval at their December 12 meeting.
5. Contract Update: The Town received four bids: from Joseph's, M & L Transit, Bill's
Taxi, and Transaction. They all included a large bus (minimum of 22 seats) bid scenario.
Joseph's large bus option was the Arboc Mobility, a low floor bus with a fold out
wheelchair ramp. M & L's large bus option was the StarTrans, with a lift comparable to
the current lifts. The other two proponents bid Eldorados, with lifts comparable to the
current lifts. The Review Committee's recommendation is being reviewed by staff.
6. Committee Representation: Marty Cohen has agreed to represent TAC on the School
Transportation and Safety Committee.
Bill has been representing TAC on the Governance Committee. He reported that there
are 17 committees in Town that have some relationship with traffic and /or transportation.
Five of them address regional issues; nine of them relate to specific transportation
venues. The committee is recommending that there be three to four annual meetings
bringing the nine committees together to discuss coordination and collaboration.
7. Electric Vehicle Station: Bill reported that the Town plans to install two charging
stations in the NStar lot on Edison Way, using three parking spaces (one station has two
charging slots). The meters will allow cars to use the spaces for four hours; the parking
fee will be greater than other parking places. The grant pays for the first two years of
electricity.
8. 128 Business Council: Monica Tibbits of the 128 Business Council wants to meet with
TAC in January to discuss a pilot shuttle service between Porter Square and Hayden Ave.
and Hartwell Ave. If the pilot program shows positive potential, it is a service that may
be opened to the public.
9. MBTA bus stops: Sara reported that the T has moved the West Service Road bus stop
about 10 feet to the east, which allows the stop to be used by the Route 78 bus. The
Route 78 operates on Sundays. Sara met with the T to review options for the Watertown
St. bus stop across from Crescent Road. The T will move this current stop south to a
sidewalk and add stops on either side of Watertown St. near the intersection of Green
Lane. This will improve safety. TAC agreed that notifying residents is recommended.
Also, Sara should discuss this with Dave Cannon in DPW to find out what has been done
in the past.
10. Annual Town Report: Comments were submitted on the draft Town Report. Sara will
incorporate them.
11. Next Meeting: Bill will send out a doodle to schedule an afternoon meeting in mid to
late January. He is leaving for Florida on December 17.
Documents: November 15, 2011 Minutes, Ridership Tables, Draft Town Report for TAC.
Recorder: Sara Arnold