Complete Streets & Bikeway Committee

COMPLETE STREETS COMMITTEE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN, CT April 9, 2018 In attendance: Howard Reid, John Hall, Ron Krom, Laura Baum, Tom Quirk, Debbie Stanley, Kathy Ellis, Cindi Perugini Guests: Grant & Mary-Ann Bergeron, Lisa Liesener 1. Review of minutes: Minutes of the March meeting accepted by committee consensus. 2. Old Business Bike Routes/Signage 4/9/18: CS is awaiting a scheduled Public Works Commission meeting for final approval; the Police Department is signing off on the plan. 3/12/18: 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 4/9/18: CS met with the Police Department Deputy Chief and traffic officer Dave Godwin who seem to be in favor of street narrowing, bump outs, and speed traps but noted that the efforts on High St. have not slowed traffic. They will look at possibilities for Pearl St. and Spring Street. CS to provide a copy of the Safe Routes to School Report for their review. 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 4/9/18: No new updates 3/12/18: 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: May 9th is Bike/Walk to School Day: CS met with Mary Emerling and Mark Langton in charge of school health and transportation, respectively, to discuss possibilities for Bike/Walk to School Day on May 9. Mark Langton will pursue a plan to have elementary students dropped off some distance from schools and walk the remainder of the way. The paths to Spencer and Moody schools were also discussed. May 19th, 9:30am: Following discussion it was decided that the Committee’s unofficial partner, Bike/Walk Middletown, will host a family bike ride separate from the Middletown Health and Safety Fair. Advertisements will go out on Facebook, The Jonah’s Center website, and the Middletown Eye. Planning by Howard, Laura, John, and Ron May 17th Recreation and Community Services Commission Meeting: CS to attend. May 23rd 7-8:30pm Jonah’s Center Speak Out: This is a planning meeting to be held at the DeKoven House to explain projects and engage attendees. Meeting with Health Department: Howard and John met with Lou Carda of the Health Dept. and discussed various ways the Dept. might help promote our CS efforts. These include the Dept.’s web site, health fairs, the WIHS Healthline radio program, and public access cable TV. Lou also noted that the City’s Middletown in Motion walking trails provided an opportunity for walking promotion. 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. Wesleyan Bike Share 4/9/18: The kick-off is scheduled for 4/12 at 11:30am. The company responsible has inquired if the City of Middletown would like to utilize some of the bikes on Main Street during the summer months when school is not in session. CS discussed the issue and is in support of a trial run with a limited number of bikes. 3/12/18: 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. Upcoming Meetings CS to present the bike routes plan at the senior center on 4/19 at 6pm; Beth to present. 3. New Business Palmer Field/Veterans Park Path This path has been approved and work is happening now; CS to check progress periodically to ensure the path is completed correctly. Route 9 Rework Plan The current DOT plan for rework of Route 9 was opposed by the majority of the public and by Mayor Dan Drew following the public comment meeting Public Outreach CS will attempt to reach out to the North End Action Committee and the Village District to identify the groups’ concerns, identify areas CS can try to address, and try to garner support for our cause. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. Next meeting: May 14, 2018 7pm Room B-19