Massachusetts Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Board Meeting Notes
Wednesday, July 15, 2015, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
First Floor Conference Room, Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG)
John W. Olver Transit Center, Greenfield, MA
Welcome, Introductions: Eileen Gunn, Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:15 PM.
Members present: Tom DiPaolo, Eileen Gunn, Jeff McCollough, John McQueen, Joe Repole, Pete Sutton
Members absent: Rosalie Anders, Cameron Bain, Glen Berkowitz, Dan Driscoll, Kurt Gaertner, Philip
Groth, Steve Heinrichs, Janie Katz-Christy, Rob Miceli, Steve Miller, Lea Susan Ojamaa, Jim Tozza
Guests present: Dan Daniska (CMRPC), Jen Ducey (FS&T), Andrea Freeman (DPH), Beth Giannini
(FRCOG), Laura Hanson (MassDOT D2) Paul Jahnige (DCR), Kate Masztal (MassDOT D1) Maureen
Mullaney (FRCOG), Maureen Pollock (City of Greenfield), Mary Ringie (MassDOT D1), Rachel Stoler
(FRCOG), George Touloumtzis (Greenfield cycling advocate), Ben Wood (DPH) Guests participating by
telephone: Kate Aguilar, Richard Fries and Barbara Jacobson (MassBike), Katie Knapp (MassDOT),
Wendy Landman
Approval of 5/20/15 Minutes: Eileen Gunn moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Joe
Repole, approved unanimously.
Franklin County Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG): Beth Giannini provided an overview on
bicycling and pedestrian initiatives throughout the 26 localities for which FRCOG is responsible (see
attached presentation). The Franklin County Bikeway was highlighted, a network of signed on and off-road
bicycle facilities throughout the region. The extensive way-finding signage, in addition to a wide array of
free maps available to the public have been very well received. FRCOG also recently took part in a
Complete Streets Road Safety Audit which recommended changes to the intersection of Route 2A at River
Street within the town. Rural considerations and context sensitivity are also prioritized when planning new
bicycle routes, such as road-widening based upon need and aesthetics. Lately, requests for bicycle parking
at bus stops has become an issue as oftentimes bike racks on buses are already full.
MassDOT District 2: Laura Hanson presented on Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements in District 2,
beginning by noting D2 covers four separate regional planning areas – Franklin, Montachusett, Central MA
and Pioneer Valley. D2 utilizes its robust GIS mapping capabilities to keep its bike/ped database current
and could be featured as a statewide model for MassDOT. Due to time constraints, only five projects were
highlighted, among them the 11 mile Norwottuck Rail Trail rehabilitation (see attached presentation for
others). D2 has worked closely with FRCOG in the past, particularly on its Franklin County Bikeway
signage. This led into a separate announcement by Tom Dipaolo informing the Board of a new MassDOT
policy regarding bike route signage (see attached) that has just been released. This policy aims to
standardize all different statewide signage campaigns by different trail groups in an attempt at uniformity.
Crosswalk standards were also mentioned in the discussion as being a desirable area of future study.
MA Pedestrian Transportation Draft Scope of Work Status: Pete Sutton mentioned that the Plan Scope
of Work has been completed and is now under internal review within the MassDOT Office of Transportation
Planning (OTP). Once approved, a Request for Responses (RFR) will be posted to MassDOT’s
CommBUYS later this summer. The Plan will focus on both improving MassDOT’s pedestrian infrastructure
and providing direction and guidance to municipalities on best practice in planning and maintaining
pedestrian networks. The Statewide Pedestrian Plan will emphasize four main areas:
 Improving Accessibility
 Improve Safety
 Improve Maintenance
 Prudent Investment
Status of the Complete Streets (CS) Training Program: Eileen Gunn indicated that MassDOT was
updating the Complete Streets training program and that regional trainings will start in late fall. The
Complete Streets Funding Program requirements will be part of the Introductory training sessions.
Status of the Complete Streets (CS) Funding Programs: Eileen Gunn provided an overview on the
current program status. The program is still under review so all information is proposed. MassDOT has
developed the eligibility requirements to conform to the Transportation Bond Bill criteria. This includes
requiring communities to have passed a Complete Streets Policy to be eligible for funding. Once a
community is eligible, they can submit a project specific application. Monies are being appropriated for
planning and design for communities that meet an income threshold or Title VI or Environmental Justice
designation. More information will follow when the program is approved.
Other Business, Public Comments & Questions:
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 The Clean Air Challenge week will be September 20-27 .http://www.commute.com/cleanair
 Pete Sutton announced that preparations for the Moving Together 2015 (MT15) conference are
nearly finalized. MT15 is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, at the Park Plaza Hotel, where it
was held in 2014. The theme this year is Healthy Transportation, Healthy Communities. A number
of mega-sessions, site visits, and workshops are being planned. A full schedule and all additional
info can be viewed at: www.movingtogetherma.org
 Paul Jahnige of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR also wanted the board to be
aware of their annual fall conference. In partnership with the Massachusetts Recreational Trail
Advisory Board (MARTAB) the 2015 Massachusetts Trails Conference will be held on Saturday,
November 14, 2015 at the Double Tree Hotel and Conference Center in Leominster, with a day of
site visit and field trip options scheduled for Friday, November 13th.
 DCR and MassDOT are planning to hold a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of the
Mass. Central Rail Trail (MCRT) – Norwottuck Reconstruction Project on Wednesday, August 5,
2015. (time TBD). Pete Sutton will lead a bike ride along the newly rehabbed 11 mile stretch as
part of the day’s events.
 George Touloumtzis (Greenfield cycling advocate) advised the group of an upcoming town hearing
regarding local snow removal ordinance, specifically changing the present ordinance to upgrade a
minimum clearance of four feet for sidewalks and all curb cuts.
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Next Meeting: The next Board meeting is scheduled to be held in the 2 floor MassDOT Transportation
Library, at the State Transportation Building (STB), 10 Park Plaza, Boston, on Wednesday, September 16,
1 – 3 PM.
Adjournment: Eileen Gunn adjourned the meeting at 3:05 PM.