INTERMODAL · FREIGHT · PASSENGER · TOURIST
Meeting was called to order by Stephen R. Piper for Peter Griffin at 7:15 PM.
Attendees:
Stephen R. Piper
Cara Torrey-Nagy
Almos Nagy
Mel True
Steve Parry
John Palmer
William Jarvis
The minutes from the last meeting were not available for
distribution or discussion.
Cara brought the group’s attention to “Concord2020”, which is
a citizen forum for public discussion of proposed development in the city of
Concord balancing economic vitality, open space, and transportation. It is
similar to the Main Street program that many communities in NH are currently
participating in. They have a web site at www.concord2020.org.
John gave a brief update for the M&L branch stating that it has
35 crossing locations. He distributed copies of At-Grade Encroachments to
the group. He questioned why the state is trying to manipulate the rail
plan and asked whether or not it would be used to expand I93.
Mel indicated that the group must be focused on a total integration of
transportation, not just rail initiatives. He informed us that the City of
Manchester has already incorporated a new rail station into its master
plan, despite the fact that plans to provided passenger rail to this city have
not yet materialized.
He then inspired a discussion on sprawl in NH and how we should use the
group’s influence to try to steer elected officials towards alternative
transportation
.
John provided some commuter statistics based on 1980 and 1990 census data as
follows:
Town
1980
1990
Salem
486
463
Windham
51
315
Derry
215
758
Pelham
105
148
Londonderry 183
348
Total
1040
2032
This represents a 95.4% increase in commuter travel in just 10 years and the 1990 information is 12 years out of date. What is the travel today?
Cara stated that according to Suburban Nation, every case where lanes
have been added to an existing highway the traffic has increased.
Initially, the added lanes promote less traffic congestion, but inevitably the
density is exacerbated by the change. Another interesting statistic is
that there are 147 automobile fatalities per day nationwide. Why does the
public stand for the equivalent of one jet crash per day?
John mentioned that the MBTA is planning to double track the existing
railbed in Lawrence. This will better facilitate the M&L corridor for
passenger rail into NH if deemed appropriate by the state.
The group decided on getting a brochure into material form. It
should contain objectives, non-profit status, history, pollution facts,
cost/mile comparisons, ridership potentials, logo and web addresses, etc.
These can be easily disbursed into impacted communities, current rail stations,
other rail interest meetings (such as the recent Nashua commuter and
Boston-Montreal HSR meetings). The information contained within the
brochure can describe how NHRRA is different from public agencies while acting
as a steering committee to such.
Cara continued introducing her outline on the association’s master
plan.
Long term goal:
To promote rail travel everywhere possible as part of a balanced
transportation system.
Short term goal:
To achieve one success – follow through from concept to full term.
Counteract negative bias with facts.
Act as an educational resource (i.e., push Downeaster stats after one
year)
Collect and disseminate information to public
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Next meeting:
December 16, 2002 at 7 PM, at the Pembroke Academy with the topics of discussion
including Master Plan and 2003 plans.
Minutes by: Stephen R. Piper
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