Minutes from the December 9th, 2004 West Windsor Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force Meeting

 

Meeting Attendees: Roger Alig, Ken Carlson, Susan Conlon, Bruce Ellsworth, Arnold Kelly, Alison Miller, Art Pope, Sandy Shapiro, Don Smart

 

Web site:  http://www.princetonol.com/groups/bikeped/

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

·         Previous Action Items-

ü       Initiate preparation of Zaitz Trail grant application- Bruce

ü       Provide Rush Holt and D&R Greenway with drafts of support letter for grant- Ken C.

ü       Obtain hard copies and CD’s of the Orth-Rodgers final Bike/Ped Plan- Ken C.

·         Southfield Road Bikelane Grant Funded- The DOT has informed the township that the Southfield Road Bikelane Grant has been funded in the amount of $100,000.  27 projects out of 90 were funded.  Congratulations are in order for Don Smart!

·         New Task Force appointment- Art Pope has been officially appointed by the Mayor as a Task Force member.  Welcome Art!

·         Pedals for Progress- Susan informed the group about an organization called Pedals for Progress http://www.p4p.org.  This New Jersey-based organization collects used bikes and ships them to third world countries where they are used to provide bicycle and bicycle parts to those in need of basic transportation.  Susan suggested that this could be tied in with the Bikefest.  Susan will contact the organization for further information.

 

Recreational Trails

·         Zaitz Park Trail- Bruce gave an update on the preparation of the Recreational Trail Grant application for the Zaitz Park Woodland Trail which is due December 15th.  Bruce passed out the latest draft and reviewed the map of the trail plans.  It was suggested that proximity to schools and the Renaissance age-restricted housing development be emphasized, as well as the approval of the Southfield bikelane grant which will allow residents to bike to Zaitz Park and the placement of bicycle racks at the trailhead.  Ken C. has obtained letters of support from Alan Hershey of the Central Jersey Trails Association and Linda Mead of the D&R Greenway Land Trust.  Arnold is working with Rush Holt’s office to obtain a letter of support.  Alison successfully shepherded a resolution in favor of the application through Town Council.

·         Millstone River Trail- Ken C. gave an update on the plans for implementing the Millstone River Preserve Trail.  Construction of the gravel parking area on Millstone Road will begin later this month, and a sign for the entrance to the parking area is being prepared for the Preserve listing the various stakeholders.  As soon as the parking lot is in place, a trail breaking ceremony will be planned and the first trail will be constructed.  A press release will need to be written and we will need to solicit volunteers for the trail building.

 

Year in Review and Goals for 2005

·         Ken C and Susan brought in refreshments to celebrate the year’s accomplishments and the hard work of the Task Force members.  Ken C. reviewed the accomplishments for 2004 and spoke of the goals for 2005.  Task Force members brought up additional accomplishments and suggested additional goals for ’05.  The list of accomplishments and goals is provided below.

2004 Accomplishments

·         Grants

·         Southfield Road Bikelane Grant- funded

·         Safe Routes to School: Clarksville and Village Road- in review

·         Zaitz Park Trail Grant- in preparation

·         D&R Canal Tow Path T-21 Grant- turned down (re-apply in ’05)

·         Planning

·         Significant participation in Local Planning Assistance process

§         Considerable input into Orth-Rodger’s Final Bike/Ped Plan

·         Project Prioritization completed

·         Sidewalks/Recreational Trails

·         Completion of Sidewalk Inventory and Sidewalk/Crosswalk and Recreational Trail Project Priorities

·         Advocacy for improvements to Route 571 in Princeton Junction (including two neighborhood walks)

·         Advocacy for Improvements to Acme shopping center

§         Sidewalk on Alexander Road entrance and moving of Newsboxes

·         Advocacy for improvements to Millstone Road

·         Advocacy for complete sidewalk access to new Alexander Road Bridge

·         Advocacy for PSE&G ROW trail

·         Bikelanes

·         Bikefest

·         Completion of Bikelane Priorities

·         Advocacy for Edinburg Road bikelanes

·         Public Education

·         Several Press articles (Trenton Times, Packet, FOWWOS Newsletter)

·         Information Tables at Farmer’s Market, Harvest Fest

 

Plans/Goals for 2005

·         Grants

·         February: TEA-21 Grant (Re-submit D&R Towpath grant?)

·         June:

§         County Bikelanes Grant; Safe Routes to School

·         December:  Recreational Trails grant (Roger’s trail?)

·         Other grants?

·         Project Implementation

·         Millstone River Trail

·         Southfield Road Bikelanes

·         Implementation of Orth-Rodgers Bike/Ped Plan recommendations (e.g., share the Road Signs; faded crosswalks; recommended bike/ped projects)

·         Project Planning

·         Work with Township on selection of projects to be funded by Capital Budget

·         Continue to expand on Project Priorities

·         Develop plans for trails on Roger’s property

·         Develop strategy to improve bike/ped safety and mobility along Alexander Road S curve

·         Help plan for and participate in 2005 Bikefest

·         Advocacy/Monitoring

·         Bike/Ped Bridge over Route 1 and path connecting D&R Canal Path to Train Station

·         Monitor process by which Orth-Rodgers Bike/Ped Plan is adopted into Master Plan

·         Monitor Meadow Road re-design and plans for widening Clarksville Road

·         Monitor plans for improvements to Route 571 in the Junction

·         Monitor and participate in development of PSE&G ROW Trail

·         Advocate for improved street lighting

·         Public Education

·         Set up information tables at Farmer’s Market, train station, other public events

Action Items:

·         Feedback to Bruce on the Zaitz Park Trail application- All

·         Remind Mayor Hsueh to walk the Zaitz Trail application through the DEP- Ken C

·         Contact Pedals for Progress- Susan

·         Finalize plans for initial trail breaking of Millstone River Trail: write Press release, plan event, solicit volunteers- Ken C and any other interested volunteers

·         Contact Jim Amon to find out why Tow Path T-21 application was turned down- Ken C

·         Task Force members should consider what projects they would like to be advocates for in 2005- All

 

Upcoming Meetings:

·         January 13th: TASK FORCE MEETING, 7:30 PM (Agenda items: Identifying advocates for 2005 projects; review of Orth-Rodgers slide presentation)