Minutes from the March 10th, 2005 Mayor’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force Meeting

 

Meeting Attendees: Roger Alig, Jeff Bloom, Ken Carlson, Charlie Carmalt, Meg Chicco, Susan Conlon, Matt Elliot, Dan Gerstenhaber, Arnold Kelly, Barry Keppard, Daryl MacMillan, Chris Marion, Alison Miller, Chris Scherer

 

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

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

o        Welcome- Several new faces were present at the meeting:

o        Jeff Bloom- WW resident who lives off of Rabbit Hill Road.  Jeff works at Sarnoff and learned about the Task Force through Art Pope. 

o        Charlie Carmalt- see below

o        Matt Elliot- A junior at High School South, Matt works for the school radio station and covers local news.  He has been interviewing Ken C for the past half-year about open space and bike/ped issues.

o        Chris Scherer- Millstone Road resident, member of the Princeton Freewheelers, and active cyclist.  Chris was recently hit by a car while cycling in East Windsor and is recuperating from his injuries.  Chris learned about the Task Force through Dan Gerstenhaber.

 

o        Lawrenceville Bike/Ped Task Force- Charlie Carmalt, a Lawrenceville resident, spoke to us about the formation of the Lawrenceville Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force.  The Task Force was appointed by Mayor Pam Mount last month and Charlie, a well known bike/ped activist and transportation planning consultant, was chosen as chair.  Charlie’s group is focused on bike/ped safety as Lawrenceville typically has several bike/ped fatalities a year.  We will look for opportunities for our groups to cooperate and for opportunities to regionalize efforts.  Ken C. will be attending the next L’Ville Task Force Meeting on March 22nd.   Charlie gave us a heads up for the Trenton Cycling Revolution’s Two Day D&R Canal Biking Event on Columbus Day.

 

o        Recommendations for Interim Improvements to Route 571- Ken C. spoke of the letter to the Mayor that Task Force members put together outlining recommended interim improvements to Route 571 in Princeton Junction.  Chris Marion mentioned that the recommendations were similar to a list of interim improvements that the County and Township have worked together to develop.  These improvements are expected to be initiated this spring.  Meg and Susan told the group of their meeting on Friday March 4th with County Director of Transportation Aaron Watson and other officials.  They also said the county expects to make interim improvements this spring, including patching Route 571 and making improvements to crosswalks, including establishing a cross-walk at Sherbrooke. 

 

o        Concept Plan for Route 571- The Planning Board will be reviewing the Concept Plan for Route 571 on March 16th.  What is listed on the agenda is the “Route 571 Traffic Study - Urbitran Associates”.  There will be a public comment section.  Ken C and Ken N should be prepared to give a statement in support of the interim improvements. 

 

o        2005 Bikefest- Dan gave an update on the planning for the May 28th Bikefest.  The event will be called “Whirr of the Wheels” (a name penned by Barbara Carlson) and is now only 11 weeks away.  Dan and the Bikefest Committee are trying to raise $10,000 in corporate donations and already have several local companies lined up.  400-500 riders are expected, and already 60 people have pre-registered.   The Committee will be seeking volunteers to help on the day of the event.  The Task Force should definitely staff an information table at the event.  The next meeting is April 5th at 7:30PM. 

 

o        Pedals for Progress- Susan gave an update on the Pedals for Progress (P4P) Bike Drive. The event is scheduled for Saturday June 18th at the West Windsor Community Farmer’s market from 9 AM to 1 PM.  Susan will try to arrange for a P4P representative to come to the next Task Force meeting.  One of the immediate goals is to get high school students involved as part of a community service project.  The main work right now is in getting the word out about the event. 

 

TRAILS

 

o        Millstone River Trail Trailbreaking-  Ken C gave an update on the plans for the Millstone River Trail.  A trailbreaking event is scheduled for Sunday April 3rd at 1PM at the Millstone River Preserve parking lot on Millstone Road located between Joanne Street and the River on the Grover’s Mill Co. side of the road.  A press release has been written and will be circulated.  After a brief ceremony, volunteers will begin clearing a trail from the parking lot down to the dirt road along the river.  Daryl suggested that volunteers wear gloves due to poison ivy.  Anyone interested in helping out with the event please contact Ken or Art. 

 

o        Big Bear Brook Trail- Roger gave an update on the Bear Brook trail concept.  This trail would start at the Rogers Preserve located across from Grover’s Mill Pond on Clarksville Road.  The trail would then cross Cranbury Road and either follow Bear Brook or proceed down Stobbe Lane and Joanne Street before following a rough trail at the end of Joanne Street towards the Northeast Corridor Tracks and the Millstone River.  The next step is to scope out the trail in greater detail.  Roger will lead a walk on Sunday March 20th at 1PM.  Details to follow by e-mail.

 

PLANNING

 

o        Capital Budget Process- Chris Marion spoke to the group about the capital budget process.  In August, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Request Forms for the 6 yr Capital budget are sent out to department heads.  The request forms are due back to the administration by October.  In November, there is a formal meeting with the Business Administrator (BA) and the Mayor and the Dept. heads to review the requests.  In Dec-Jan, the 6 year Plan Document is prepared and sent to the Mayor and Council for review.  In Feb-March, the Town Council holds budget work sessions to review each department’s requests.  This is where the process is now.  In April-May, budget introduced and adopted, in June bond ordinances are prepared, and in July-Aug bid specs prepared sent out so that contracts can be awarded.  

 

o        Bike/Ped Projects in Capital Budget- Chris spoke about Bike/Ped projects in the 2005 budget.  For this year, the township is focusing on bike/ped projects that have existing funding and on bikelane projects outlined in the Orth-Rodgers report.  Chris feels that longer-range planning for bike/ped projects will be made easier after adoption of the Orth-Rodgers bike/ped plan into the Master Plan.  Chris suggested that a sub-committee of the Task Force meet with administration in July to prepare project request forms for projected bike/ped projects.  Chris stated he would strive for increased interaction with the Task Force during the budget process period.

 

o        Sidewalk Inventory/Sidewalk-Priorities Spreadsheet- There was a discussion on how to get inventories (e.g., sidewalk inventory) and project spreadsheets (e.g., pedestrian-generators spreadsheets) that the Task Force has developed formally adopted by the township.   Chris suggested that some of these items could be presented and discussed during the Master Plan amendment process. The Task Force should invite the Planning Board chair, Marvin Gardner, to the next Task Force meeting. 

 

o        Planning Board Review of Orth-Rodgers Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan- The Planning Board will be reviewing the Orth-Rodgers Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in April.  The Task Force should prepare a letter outlining what the Task Force views are the key priorities of the Bike-Ped plan. 

 

Action Items:

 

o        Prepare a statement for the March 16th Planning Board meeting in favor of interim and long-term improvements to Rt. 571- Ken C and Ken N

o        Invite Planning Board Chair Marvin Gardner to the April Task Force meeting- Ken C

o        Send out details of Rogers/Bear Brook Walk- Roger

o        Review Orth-Rodgers Plan and determine key priorities and recommendations- Task Force members

o        Prepare a letter to the Planning Board outlining the key priorities of Orth-Rodgers Plan- Ken C and Ken N

o        Invite P4P representative to next Task Force meeting- Susan

 

Upcoming Meetings:

 

o        March 16th:Planning Board- Route 571 Princeton Junction Concept Plan Review

o        March 20th: Walk of Rogers Preserve and proposed Bear Brook Trail (1PM)

o        April 3rd: Trailbreaking Day for Millstone River Trail. 1 PM

o        April 5th : BikeFest Committee, 7:30 PM Municipal Center

o        April 14th: TASK FORCE MEETING, 7:30 PM

o        Sidewalk and bikelane maintenance

o        Review List of 2005 Bike/Ped Projects

o        Review of Orth-Rodger’s final bicycle and pedestrian plan and recommendations

o        Visit from Pedals for Progress representative

o        Grant applications for 2005