BikeBedford.org > Minutes & Archives > Minutes > BBAC20080213minutes.html

Bedford Bicycle Advisory Committee

(approved 2008 Mar 12)

Feb. 13, 2008, 7:30pm, Town Hall, Bedford, MA

Present: Terry Gleason, Joel Parks, Ralph Hammond, Bob Sawyer, Brian O'Donnell and Holly Webster

Approved January Minutes.

Continuing:

• Police Accident report -
  Bob reported that there were no bicycle accidents in January.
• Mile Post signs -
  On January 30, Joel met in the afternoon with representatives of Lexington and Arlington bike committees in the Arlington Town Hall annex. They talked about three proposals. The first was to have pavement marking of the town names at the town line and this was very popular with our committee. The second was to have street signs at all intersections that face both the street and the bikeway with a piggy-back sign indicating the town name. The third was to bring an inventory of the street crossings and public accesses in town to the next meeting, March 6, in the afternoon. We had some discussion about whether accesses are public or if we will get rights-of-way in the future. Joel will try to document them all. Ralph will accompany Joel for the picture taking.
• MMB Extension -
  We are still awaiting word from Rich Warrington on the report from VHB.
• Rec. Dept Fall Bike Training Program -
  Susan Grieb is still too busy to do this at this time. Terry noticed a bike week for kids is offered by the Recreation Department. Perhaps we should see who is leading this. Bob is waiting to be contacted by the boy scouts. Troop 194 is planning to offer a bicycle merit badge. Terry will contact Caroline Larson re: helping get it offered to girl scouts as well. Ralph mentioned, as an aside, that in the PAN MASS KIDS RIDE, Bedford came in 2nd raising over $57,833.42, second only to Hingham who raised $64,356.41. Ralph is also scared to death by how unskilled the kids are in the road. Ralph will talk more to Amy Mason about next year. Pre-assigned groups are important. BBAC is very concerned about the safety of the kids.
• Blue Ribbon Mall Bike Racks –
  Joel has not yet counted parking spaces to see if the single bike rack at Blue Ribbon is adequate. Terry introduced discussion of the renewal of the Bedford Shopping center. Brian brought a plan. Bob will try to get some bike racks closer to the doors of actual stores. Richard Joly did talk about the positioning of the bike racks. Brian will also attend the next meeting of the Planning Board.
• MAPC bike racks –
  Brian will report on where we would like them. Mentioned were Town Hall, Police Station, DPW, Wilson Mill site, schools, Poms concession stand, library, Town Forest, Fawn Lake, next to every Porta-potty, all athletic fields, and Memorial Park. We will revisit this question next month and prioritize the list.

New:

• Lexington Greenway –
  They will meet again February 28 at Carrie Hall. http://www.lexingtongreenways.org/westlexingtongreenway is the website for anyone to look at. Brian attended. Stage one will go from the Minuteman Trail to the National Park. Terry says the route will be a real challenge.
• Liaison to the Planning Board –
  Brian attended two of their meetings and plans to talk further to individuals. He will introduce himself at their next meeting. We feel that bike racks should be placed nearer to the entrances of the store, and many in the central greenway.
• Bruce Freeman Trail –
  Terry says we should be watching this. They should have talked to abutters in a one–to-one situation about the issues, and especially to the women. They will have to compromise as they plan to mix partly pavement and partly stone dust. It was suggested that Holly talk to Kaye Spofford and perhaps Meridith McCullough.
• Town Meeting –
  We have no plans for Town Meeting. It is not our call.
• West Bedford Tree Removal Schedule –
  Ralph says it will happen but there is no schedule due to the weather.

Next meeting - Mar 12, 7:30pm, Town Hall

Meeting adjourned 9:15pm.

Bedford Friends of the Minuteman Bikeway

Minutes approved

Continuing:

• Library Exhibit –
  A sign is needed downstairs directing folks upstairs. Bob will bring some photos to add.
• Rail Trail Support List –
  Terry has it online and he will email us instructions.

New:

• Spring Rail Trail Count –
  Terry, Ralph, and others will help. Terry wants to differentiate serious bikers from recreational bikers. We will count cyclists, joggers, roller blade folks, wheelchairs, walkers, and dog walkers. It will be on a weekday, weekend or both. Terry will let us know when it is being planned for.
• Establishment of a West Bedford Trail Support/kids Group –
  Terry proposed it. Bob Fagan was suggested, as well as George Dalrymple, Lora Goldenberg, and Frank Richichi.
• Agenda distribution –
  It was suggested that Holly type up the agenda as part of a regular email (not an attachment) and send them to all members a week in advance of all meetings. Folks will email her back with suggestions. She will make changes and bring the new agendas to the meeting.

Meeting adjourned 9:45pm.

re-validate this page
http://validator.w3.org/check/referer