Complete Streets & Bikeway Committee

COMPLETE STREETS COMMITTEE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, CT March 12, 2018 In attendance: Howard Reid, John Hall, Beth Emery, Ron Krom, Laura Baum, Tom Quirk, Guests: Grant & Mary-Ann Bergeron, Dr. Michael Kalinowski 1. Review of minutes: There was no February meeting. Minutes of the January meeting were accepted by committee consensus. 2. Old Business Bike Routes/Signage The first official Middletown bike trail has been reviewed and approved by public works. The trail will be designated by signage, with no bike lanes. CS to send a letter of recommendation to the Director of Public Works. CS to talk with Tom Nigosanti about the possibility of shoulder striping on the involved roads. Traffic Calming 3/12/18: No Updates 1/8/18: John Hall reported on the first meeting of the traffic calming work group. The group identified its first task to be information gathering, including information about existing traffic calming projects in Middletown and whether there is any data which demonstrates effects of those efforts. Newfield Corridor Path Funding Due to the uncertainty of state funding needed for planned school construction projects Middletown has put a hold on all other new projects. Complete Streets Web Presence: Nothing to report. Long Lane Trail 1/8/18: This project will go out to bid in February and construction is likely to begin in 2018. Community Calendar: Laura Baum noted the Bike/Walk Summit will be held on April 6th from 9am-5pm. Bike/Walk to School Day is in May was discussed, and Kathy Ellis suggested that the Committee begin to work with the schools around the beginning of April. Ron to check if a Middletown Health and Safety Fair will be held this year and find out when Health & Safety Day is. Priorities for 2018 Road Projects 1/8/18: In preparation for the annual meeting with Public Works to review the coming road project/bond season, the Committee discussed its priorities. Those identified included projects already in progress, including new priority bike routes, Saybrook Rd, and the Long Lane and Newfield Corridor multi-use trails. Additional possible priorities identified were sidewalks along Butternut St. connecting the park to adjacent neighborhoods, and an examination of traffic signal actuators which respond to bicycles. Jonah Center Speak Out for Bicycles initiative John Hall reported that about 250 people signed the petition in support for bicycle routes and trails in Middletown and Portland. Of those, 62 completed the survey sent out. John may send out the survey request email again to get additional participants. 3. New Business Walk With A Doc Guest speaker Dr. Michael Kalinowski explained the creation and initiative behind his movement. CS voiced support and agreed to spread the word of his community walks which will take place every 2nd and 4th Sunday at noon at Harbor Park. A flier will be distributed. Upcoming Meetings CS to present the bike routes plan at the senior center on 4/19 at 6pm; Beth to present. Howard, John and possibly Beth with meet with the Health Department staff on 3/20 at 11am at City Hall; the meeting will be to discuss the bike routes plan. Wesleyan Bike Share The bike share program is moving forward for students only; CS will recommend Wesleyan speak with the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business District. Sustainable CT This is a new program in Connecticut encouraging towns to become more sustainable through a variety of means. CS to explore the program to for initiatives that align with ours. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. Next meeting: April 9, 2018 7pm Common Council Chambers