BikeBedford.org > Minutes & Archives > Minutes > BBAC20060412minutes.html

Bedford Bicycle Advisory Committee

(approved 2006 May 10)

April 12, 2006

Present: Ray Ruetenik, Don Blake, Joel Parks, Bob Sawyer, Charlie Schwerin, Jerry Van Hook, Stew Kennedy, Ted Packard, Charlie Webster, and Holly Webster

7:40 Meeting called to order. March minutes were approved.

Continuing:

1. Minuteman Bikeway Extension – Joel talked about this for the benefit of our out-of-town visitors. The next step we must take is to give our VHB presentation to the Community Preservation Committee, as soon as possible, to be able to present it to the town at the next special town meeting in September.
2. Bridge Street Path – Ralph Hammond will be the steward for this path and will start his patrolling after Rich Warrington has made a pass through with the brush cutter.
3. Sidewalk passability – No additional news at this time.
4. Joint BBAC/PB meeting – Holly received another packet regarding a new restaurant in the East Bedford Industrial Area that she will share at our next meeting. This relationship is not exactly what Joel had envisioned. Holly will contact the Planning Board to find out the dates of their meetings after May 10, at which time we will decide and ask for a five minute slot on their agenda.
5. East Bedford Industrial Area – Joel has made no contacts yet but plans to do so, and Ralph will go with him.
6. Bicycle racks – Joel will contact Rich about placing the racks near the others at Depot Park
7. Transportation committee – Bob reported that their committee did not have a quorum and cancelled the meeting
8. Accident Report – We have a problem in that only accidents involving autos make the police report. Ralph will talk to his friend Kevin and let him know that we are only interested in the actual accident and the possible cause. We need no names.
9. Summer local bike rides – Susan Grieb did not attend tonight, but Joel says that she is indeed willing to lead one or more rides. Holly will attempt to send Joel the Riverfest route that was followed last year and he will add it to the web site.
10. New Member – Holly read an e-mail from Mike McGinnis that was a refusal.

New:

1. Police Bike Safety Clinic – June 3/10 from 9:00am until noon. Planning will be discussed at the next meeting.

Next scheduled meeting – May 10, Town Center, 7:30pm

Meeting adjourned 8:30pm.

Bedford Friends of the Minuteman Bikeway

Minutes approved.

Continuing:

1. Election of Directors and Officers – Ralph has agreed to be a board member until 2009. The following slate was presented: For Director-at-large (term expiry year): Ralph Hammond (2009), and for officers: President - - Ray Ruetenik, Vice President - Bob Sawyer, Secretary - Holly Webster, and Treasurer - Don Blake. All officers are elected for one year. The slate of officers was unanimously approved as well as the suggested budget of $400 for the next year.
2. Don Blake, treasurer, reported that we have $1072.68 in our account, with 123 memberships, 17 of which are complimentary. He had no idea of how many are up-to-date.
3. Bikeway – We will discuss at our next meeting having the fall issue e-mailed to members. At the moment the costs include $.34 for printing and $.39 for postage.
4. Pan Mass Challenge – June 17. We will also discuss at our next meeting any preparations we will need to make for our table.

Open Discussion:

• Ted Packard for Arlington spoke of the issues they are discussing including Biking to School and Maintenance of the Bikeway. There is a group, mainly joggers, who wish the trail to be plowed. However, abutters were originally promised that it would not be plowed. I believe he said that this issue will be voted upon at their next town meeting. One small section, near Cambridge has been kept clear. He pointed out that it is difficult for a plow because of the crowning. Joel and Ralph suggested that we keep this in mind for our Minuteman West.
• Stew Kennedy of Lexington is very active on a committee that is involved with building a boardwalk through wetlands to school. Bob Sawyer wants to get a board walk from Washington Street to the Middle School. Susan Grieb of the Trails Committee is also interested in doing this and she and Bob would be interested in attending a meeting with Stew.
• Jerry Van Hook, also of Lexington, said that a Safe Route to School pilot program was started for the Bridge Elementary School. It has resulted in 50% less cars in the drop-off area. Four of the other schools wish to have similar programs. Arlington has some remote bus drop-offs. Ted also reported that they had about 80 folks attend the tour around Arlington which was touted as a family ride. En effort was made to keep the route flat.
• Stew talked about the Bikeway Cleanup. Starbucks wants to do something like this. They agreed to the date that the Lexington Bikeway committee had set, May 6. The contact said that she will bring 25 people with her to help. Stew also said that between Revere and Hancock Streets, some more work on the pipes under the Bikeway will be realigned. The work will be done from May 1 until up to 12 weeks later. Stew asked Ted if, when the repaving was done in Arlington, there were root barriers installed? Ted replied that they were supposed to but he is not sure if it actually was done. Root barriers are to be for a depth of one foot and are only used near trees.
• Jerry also told us of the fact that the old Sheraton Hotel will be torn down and replaced with two new buildings, neither with a restaurant. The intersection near 2A/Marrett Road and Route 128 is being refurbished. The hotel developers have agreed to build a trail from Mass. Ave. to the Battle Road Park

Meeting adjourned 9:45pm.

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