Salem Bike Path Committee
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
A regularly scheduled meeting of the Salem Bike Path Committee was held on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at 7:00 PM in Meeting Room 312 at City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street.
Members Present: Chairman Dan Shuman, Jeff Bellin, Ernest DeMaio, Brad Sandler, Bruce Mabbott, Will Peck, and David Bowie. Also Present: Frank Taormina, Planner/Harbor Coordinator
Members Absent: David Hallowes and Dan Cooper
Public in Attendance: none
Chairman Shuman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. He acknowledged those members absent and present for the record. Chairman Shuman then stated that he was been Chairman for many years and would like to step down, effective immediately.
- Nominate and Vote for Chair and Vice Chair
F. Taormina asked if there were any nominations for Chair. D. Shuman nominated Jeff Bellin. J. Bellin accepted the nomination. F. Taormina asked if there were any more nominations for Chair. There none being, he asked for a vote to elect Jeff Bellin Chair of the Salem Bike Path Committee and a unanimous vote was taken.
Chairman Bellin then asked for nominations for Vice Chair. D. Bowie nominated Will Peck and W. Peck accepted the nomination. Chairman Bellin asked if there were any more nominations for Vice Chair. There none being, he asked for a vote to elect Will Peck Vice Chair of the Salem Bike Path Committee.
Chairman Bellin asked if there were any comments or edits with respect to the June 12, 2013 Meeting Minutes. There none being, Chairman Bellin asked for a motion to approve. Motion was made by D. Shuman, seconded by D. Bowie, and approved unanimously.
None.
New Salem Spins Bike Share Hub location at the Salem Wharf and associated on-road connection to the existing on- and off-road bike route.
Chairman Bellin opened the item and turned the floor over to F. Taormina. F. Taormina
informed the Committee that a new bike share station was installed at the Salem Wharf and
passed around photos of the recently installed bikes and bike racks. He noted that Boston
Harbor Cruises, the Salem Ferry service provider, will be checking bikes in and out for the City. Like the other bike share station, participants will be given a bike helmet, bike lock, bike routes map, and bike safety pamphlet before they venture into Salem.
F. Taormina stated that the new bike routes maps do not show the new bike share station on them; however the Committee wanted to make sure that there was a defined bike route to and from the Salem Wharf for users, as Derby Street is one way. F. Taormina showed the Committee a map that identified a number of bike sharrow pavement markings and associated bike route signs that will be installed on Derby Street and Webb Street to connect to the nearby existing bike route and directing users to Downtown and back to the Salem Wharf.
B. Mabbott asked if there was an opportunity to install a full bike lane on Derby Street. F. Taormina stated that Derby Street is going to be torn up by NGID to replace an old high-voltage KV line. After the replacement of that transmission line, the expectation is that NGID will reconstruct Derby Street with new potentially wider sidewalks. He was not sure that when the street is reconstructed it could accommodate a bike lane. He stated that at a minimum whatever bike sharrow markings are removed will be replaced by National Grid.
B. Mabbott stated that it would be a missed opportunity if a full bike lane is not installed on Derby Street or on any street that is being reconstructed. F. Taormina stated that the City has a number of other interests that it also needs to balance. If a full bike lane can be installed, which meets MUTCD standards, then he will push for it. B. Mabbott said that there were some new bike accommodation regulations and markings that were recently approved by the Federal Highway Department that the Committee should be aware of. He believes that some of these new technologies could be utilized in Salem. F. Taormina asked B. Mabbott to send him that information and he will review with the City Engineer.
W. Peck asked stated that children under 16 are required by law to wear bike helmets. He wondered how that was being informed at the bike share stations. F. Taormina stated that no one under 18 can take out a bike by themselves; they have to be with an adult. Each person that takes out a bike is given a bike helmet, and if they do not choose to take a bike helmet then they have to sign a waiver.
F. Taormina walked the Committee through the rest of the proposed on-road bike route connection to and from the Salem Wharf Bike Share Hub. He stated that bike sharrow markings on Derby Street will be limited. There will be no sharrow markings on the street in front of the National Park Service Properties and in front of the House of Seven Gables, so that the City is no detracting from those historical properties.
F. Taormina stated that the City is soliciting quotes for the work and expects that this work will be completed in the next month.
Review proposed bike route signage on Peter Tracy Path/Bypass Road Bike Path
Chairman Bellin opened the item and turned the floor over to F. Taormina.
Chairman Bellin asked if there were any further questions regarding bike rodeos or bike safety. There none being, he closed the item.
Old/New Business
Discussion regarding 2014 Bike Summit
Chairman Bellin opened up the item and turned the floor over to F. Taormina. F. Taormina asked it the Committee could table the item as Committee Member Dan Cooper was not present to discuss the item. The Committee agreed and the item was tabled until next meeting.
Chairman Bellin asked if there was any more old/new business to discuss tonight as it was getting late.
Old/New Business
Lafayette Street Bike Lane Extension
F. Taormina updated the Committee on the Lafayette Street Bike Lane Extension Project (0.8 miles long) from West Avenue to Porter Street. He noted that there several issue have come up that have delayed the project (proper no parking signs, police details, weather, etc.). He informed them that the bike lane is partially complete, but the issues have been resolved and the Contractor should return to complete the project soon.
Chairman Bellin asked if there were any more old/new business items.
Old/New Business
Salem Bike Path Extension Project
B. Mabbott asked if F. Taormina could quickly update the Committee on the Salem Bike Path Extension Project, in conjunction with the Canal Street Improvements Project.
F. Taormina stated that the City is still working with the property owner of the former California Olive Oil Company and his Attorney regarding relinquishing his freight rights in order to abandon the freight rights in the right-of-way. He stated that the issue is now about money, and exactly how much the property owner feels is fair to purchase the surplus right-of-way from the MBTA. He stated that the Mayor will be contacting the MBTA to ask them to lower their asking price so that the property owner can relinquish his freight rights, and so that the City can proceed with this important alternative transportation project. F. Taormina stated that he will give another update next month, to keep the Committee abreast of what transpired.
Chairman Bellin asked if there were any more old/new items, there being none, he asked for a motion to adjourn. W. Peck makes that motion, seconded by D. Shuman and approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Frank Taormina,
Planner/Harbor Coordinator
Minutes approved by the Salem Bike Path Committee at their October 9, 2013 Meeting
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