HomeMy Public PortalAboutBicycle & Pedestrian Committee -- 2023-10-07 MinutesREwSTF///°''ii Town of Brewster
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
o = 2198 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
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(508) 896-3701AP
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BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MEETING MINUTES
2198 Main Street
October 7, 2023; 5.00 p.m.
1) Call to Order
Bicycle and
Pedestrian
Commitee
2) Declaration of a Quorum
a. Six (6) of the seven (7) committee members present. Five (5) members actively sworn in and able to
vote, quorum is met.
List of Board
3) Meeting Participation Statement
Members and
positions
4) Recording Statement
Joseph Sullivan
5) Introductions of new members
Chair
a. Sharon Donahue
b. Kelly Messier
Susan Riseman
Vice Chair
6) Vote to approve previous meeting's minutes
a. Joe Sullivan read the minutes of the previous meeting. John McLaughlin made the motion to approve
John McLaughlin
the minutes, seconded by Roland Bessette. Motion was 5-0-0.
Member
7) Update from David Whitney, Select Board
a. Mr. Whitney gave numerous updates regarding the Millstone Road Project. Updates included road
Roland Bessette
crossings across Millstone Road, easier access into Nickerson State Park, and permission from the state
Member
level in order to have the crosswalk go directly to the sidewalk in front of the lawn in front of First Light
Beach. The Rt 6A crossing will also have a pedestrian -requesting -access blinking light.
Chell Bitzer
b. Mr. Whitney is still waiting for feedback regarding extending the Rail Trail to Crosby and Linnell
Member
beaches. DCR does not currently have funds to move the project forward.
c. Discussion regarding where crosswalks can be placed. Crosswalks cannot go across a state road if it
Sharon Donahue
doesn't end at a sidewalk. There has been approval to put a raised crosswalk on Underpass Road in front
Member
' of the elementary school.
Kelly Messier
8) 1" Annual Volunteer Fair and Appreciation Event recap
Member
a. Committee members agreed that the event was well -executed. Attendees of the event brought thoughtful
questions to the Committee members, such as how to inform the public that wheeled modalities are
Select Board
allowed on sidewalks. One solution to be explored is to paint symbols onto the sidewalks, which require
Liaison
confirming with DPW, and with the state if the sidewalks are along Rt 6A.
David Whitney
9) Update from Susie Johnson, Nickerson State Park, DCR
a. Ms. Johnson gave a number of updates as the interim superintendent for Nickerson State Park, including
Brewster Select
there are 8 miles of trails in the park, an update on the number of accidents in the park, getting new
Board
equipment to cut back brush, the placement of Americorps members, the goal of removing invasive
species, hopes for more staff, that dirt trails are meant for walkers and not for bikes, an existing order
Guest.
with Dig Safe to move the stop sign at the northeast corner of Underpass�Road, and that the Rail Trail is
Susie Johnson
a state park so it technically closes between dusk and dawn.
Nickerson State
b. The Committee had a discussion with Ms. Johnson regarding who is responsible for repairs and
Park, DCR
maintenance, how paving funds are allocated, explanation of how far property lines extend out from the
trail so as to determine what land is DCR-owned and what is town -owned (or privately owned), as well
as who would manage hydration stations once installed.
10) League of American Bicyclists' Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) designation in 2024
a. Explanation of what BFC designation means, how an area can improve, how an application is discussed
and evaluated.
b. Motion to propose to the Select Board to support the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee's submitting of
an application in 2024 for BFC designation was made by Sharon Donahue and seconded by Roland
Bessette. Motion was 5-0-0.
11) MassBike Lights Brigade event discussion
a. If it occurs, the MassBike Lights Brigade would not be an official committee meeting, it would be
informal and informative of handing out lights and helping cyclists install them onto their bikes. It
would be beneficial to be able to have the information on the town's website.
12) Bike.Month May 2024 Discussion
a. The discussion for Bike Month in May 2024 should start during the next Bicycle and Pedestrian
Committee meeting in order to begin coordinating with other departments as well as to decide on
logistics such as dates, etc.
13) Brewster Conservation Day 2024 Save the Date July 13, 2024
The date has not officially been determined but will most likely be on July 13, 2024. The Bicycle and
Pedestrian Committee will have a tent during the event, which will take place at Drummer Boy Park.
14) Election of committee clerk
a. This agenda item is continued until the next meeting due to having multiple new committee members.
15) Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair
a. There were no items discussed that were not reasonably anticipated.
16) Next .Meeting: Nov 2, 2023
17) Adjournment