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(Comprehensive Plan Draft, 2021) • The main mode of transportation in Belfast are private automobiles. • Belfast, like all of the US, has evolved to support auto transport, to the detriment of walking and bicycling as alternatives (weather permitting). More about that later! • Quasi-Public Transport options include; • Mid-Coast Transportation (WCAP) offers an intra-city Belfast Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) that operates M/W/F 7 times/day for a low fee structure. • Mid Coast Transportation offers Inter-city Flex bus service on a once daily basis to and from surrounding towns, with a one-way fare ranging from $2.00 to $3.50. • Bicycling, during 6 months of the year, is growing in popularity. • Within the Bypass, there are marked bike lanes on major streets. • Bike access from the outlying areas is complicated by Rt1/3. �Future Transportation Options • Electric Cars and Buses • Near term Federal/State Purchase incentive plans (Efficiency Maine, Grants) • Anticipated cost reductions as automakers transition and compete. • Wide spread adoption must be enabled by increased electric utility expansion; home chargers and heat pumps will likely double electric usage. • Wide spread public charger installations • Development of ‘Green’ fuels: hydrogen and biofuels for hybrid vehicles (long distance heavy transport). • Expansion of low fee/no fee public bus transport for intra-city, flex, and commuter routes (MidCoast Transportation) • State/City Trans Pass program for low income. • Employer financial support for worker ride share programs. • Reconfiguring Belfast to promote walking and bicycling. • Expand bike lanes. • Over/Underpasses for major route crossings where signaling is not permissible. • Electric Bike group purchase program for cost reduction. • Expand Intra-City Rail network (Rockland & Bangor Amtrak spurs). �Transportation Policy Initiatives • Maine Electric School Bus Program (https://www.maine.gov/doe/transportation/cleanbus) • • • • US EPA Rebate of $375K/ bus + $20K for a charger if on Priority List Belfast RSU71 is not on priority list ????? Non Priority schools eligible for up to $250K/bus Range: flat ground& 65F = 100 miles class 7 • Efficiency Maine Electric Car Rebates (BEV & PHEB) • https://www.efficiencymaine.com/electric-vehicle-rebates • For eligible vehicles: $73,000, in the case of an eligible pickup truck or commercial van with an EPA-rated range of 300 miles or more; $65,000, in the case of an eligible pickup truck or commercial van with an EPA-rated range of less than 300 miles; or $50,000, for all other eligible • Large Transportation Infrastructure Projects • The (Federal) Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103) appropriated $200,798,267 in Transit Infrastructure Grants for Community Project Funding, also known as Congressionally Directed Spending. • Mine/Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding • Maine DOT Village Partnership Initiative �Transportation Policy Initiatives Continued • The (Federal)Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) • $234M over 5 years by 2024 for public transportation improvements in Maine. • https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/ • $5M from Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan to expand public transportation and ride sharing programs • Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities - Section 5310 • Federal Transit Administration • Eligible Recipients: States and designated recipients are direct recipients; eligible subrecipients include private nonprofit organizations, states or local government authorities, or operators of public transportation. • Eligible Activities: • • • • • • • • • buses and vans wheelchair lifts, ramps, and securement devices transit-related information technology systems, including scheduling/routing/one-call systems mobility management programs acquisition of transportation services under a contract, lease, or other arrangement volunteer driver programs building an accessible path to a bus stop, including curb-cuts, sidewalks, accessible pedestrian signals or other accessible features incremental cost of providing same day service or door-to-door service https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/enhanced-mobility-seniors-individuals-disabilities-section-5310 � https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/61177/archive/files/b873a78019924b5cf7e7d7439d15c748.txt?Expires=1785369600&Signature=bjrM-78pqIvHPG5htBmHvydaBleKdgYkXGa%7ELo66Iu6DgIAgtHqgfYyJmwSo47%7E-Z-HUd6Ho67Et1v-SDsc9eKHkYaXApHDA4EaY2YH5r7cBI7%7E5ZmJhbqHUM%7ElmjQtVxyFJB-2TZ-3MLY5jSty8kozRwNHLh5AqKmbw5cFpk6HaVdI2l3NKfK9HJy5imAWIQy4nPb4ZUwFMYwqxxX3vAk39VVdxY-4XNVKTCbx6BSZEwJ5FyVYQQVMjoqaitxehgZ8ztwUBhO3T7vUT8VNU2xlXP4KY%7ENWZAwbpVccBzTd0hZnaajG8xh5fAMoZy5FqxqeXZUHpoxlfazS31eNaqA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 192b45a047fc9bfcbe4c617f2a125a4c https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/61177/archive/files/67333bb47da34b2dea2719a1db8b3af8.JPG?Expires=1785369600&Signature=S7Gsg8Lfvi6%7EqaqB3OWpRzk50EKLUmTrDyeEcHI6v-bo-aENx8V12eui6sipXDXoXYXY3eg4S42mBJPuhE8Ho91AFLYufFEANdgcYsJAEvhS3JziuAAJ-yl2j0WUXJJFWrw5lA2VsmT4JVt5LFbxSz1YZTb3%7EEQszqfpdVGO9FXAHgowqvLZNiv4ZrcH7SAPGh5lw7uMZYl7aa-5HFQQmpTjdUl%7EhdGo78K2sbyl7X55%7EbTvXY0l98qKsZcx9Jotfi66%7EH3KCU3wNDLqYjcKG8hKxqZkgvBgFtZmZTWmTjLi8aTkt9GTcZ8kQ%7ENGrkNQQHw5Yk85SYIkt4lgRWOvBA__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 58612380a9d9151757f4907bf22839d4 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/61177/archive/files/27444407ff339f941ffd7dd6ff50fd51.JPG?Expires=1785369600&Signature=H5Gi1QI6mGkd-DS0Uq0%7E1swDTB24I6FFPg-Ig-WQZsLxMOMMjx3gW5kVC%7EBFSD4YETm4vfpu0DC2ffb-THvL4RzJkZjtbQQku3XN-N-0ZYtCEhBBCC6U%7EdX%7EvFDQhCx3OoLAG89SGqDXxcPeSWFuU9L0u%7E%7EWIPCxyn9AQyqzEnPFAhM5CYpQY90XFad0NlOhQkzeeNA7aU74uGW67Xt7Q-1gVz5Y7LuuYARU3hTqw-T1o-dUfatt5WLVClPyQkVAw1LGOAX%7EFEpDAy9ZYSnGjE9B-Ir-ek3HbqW2LVuO75H6WXwq31Xs7knN5OR3-IwIbz59mL%7ERi4PSqioEeqzBHg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 2a3bc1c43bd54c12ed926fb62e97d027 https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/61177/archive/files/4a9e50fe21dc7991407e2f9778812c64.JPG?Expires=1785369600&Signature=kAk3gyoXj%7Ed2zo20h5iWSSpkEszM8Jurvn-5FuiMpvxjwbP-XlfkCoe0WN%7EwGwg0X6ri9tDaaZKN8o1YDIot6H5kaVYM4PlfvlSnJ359JBqoyctDxHxWq3agmkbq7ifNrcbfrC1X3Nr5OO01qe3GjXNjTb2M7KeL9xHHxw8QMynGw34gUes9dXyRqaN8QCVBsEnIk-SfJD9%7EZ6HZ8EJDjbUdVFpbTgeUCKMkAs1FWDt%7E8ggAuOx91RfXbj83grefs1Pvz9WHb-l6rGB5zjccz1cBIO2igPRvQSJ8V-pKEERGhe3DLgneEVH1AuwIvqTNH7uHtm8akM6C3UcrkUh%7Ewg__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 7b65b9055f931fa62f02b156ba76a3fd https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/61177/archive/files/139735e986557a9bad181ef723aff205.JPG?Expires=1785369600&Signature=fnjEDfnTxo1YGVApyTJb1UMG99kGeS3eEfr6KVH5iTZCwik13MXN3ODI9%7EmNLRT4WAv5hGD6ZlpBM8d%7Ebh6ypWSqhQl%7EA%7ExSCGha7VQB7qsA%7EaMlCd7%7Eji9gC0Ad8PWyyYJzuQn5j1t9fPIzuFqNfGBRLIXvRqBeohbN4EmCOe%7EfbWbOb3MyWJ3rtql06QLxNtXdfgzxfr3Ck3aMDueHw6G6oJVMr--qaBho%7EkREzvPvL8FjC-WRNDcFmnXmabjcXiSY9DEoet2doVbzH1b0MiB07TYw7Q4OJ7AvlotZSPwHPNreJoUGL7NpqIFXNNfrwt95ogYTGsKoq7YkMECmzw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM f07d5de48ae9e0d674c831f3aae150bc https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/61177/archive/files/00cb1695e8c37d22f3451ed71d49f10a.pdf?Expires=1785369600&Signature=OUHrU%7EkbDjIunRGsHfwX-5mCWLp-6x6tDYG44rXn4ZOkmL%7EuGlURGxpWSu7YKKDFjLNVTKrRKJXsgVd365dxuEiYUSzZqtKDEBp0HEVxI7%7EFM6eYVMIdv7HRPorwDr1%7EtLWbJIqc04ohPgjx0RXwO1mEc2rlGQ0VdDAY-DIbgwqsX9r5ARNKUOA0CpvSW4x860Rd7kESjDl63hSYEi4NGtCZqNWQY-r-9%7EpXpM7Qw7sBVQeVKUrnb31iDZbrxAyhKyu9TnxtQhvNm26b2OaqUjCBEJwdm9QUmaPY70k7ZgoDyfjBg-js1%7EsolqNiqlZW548BVPl0kC3VTiYaFmAwQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM 4af6e0c84ed581e1eb7386258359064f PDF Text Text The Future of Active Transit in Belfast By Cara Harshman Belfast Pedestrian, Biking & Hiking Committee �What is Active Transit? Active Transit (AT) is any human powered mode of transportation: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Walking Biking Operating a wheelchair or other ability device Rollerblading Skateboarding Cross country skiing Snow shoeing �How would you distribute $1 in funding to improve AT in Maine? MDOT data from: 4 public meetings, 12 stakeholder meetings, >1,600 survey responses, >300 online comments �Maine’s Statewide Active Transit Plan Vision: MaineDOT will maintain, improve, and expand safe AT options statewide by leveraging investments in infrastructure to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety; expand mobility; support economic development; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and enhance community vibrancy, quality of life, and public health for Maine people and visitors alike. ��Where does MDOT go from here? → Jan 30, 2023: public comments on the plan closed → Winter/Spring ‘23: revisions and DOT meetings with stakeholders such as: bikemaine.org Read the plan to see goals 3-5 �Q: How does Belfast beneﬁt from the Statewide Active Transit Plan? A: We create our own Pedestrian & Bicycle (Active Transit) Master Plan. �What’s a Active Transit aka Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan? It’s a vision of what the City of Belfast could look like and a plan to implement that vision. �Pedestrian Biking & Hiking Committee 2023 recommendations to the City Council 1. Retain a professional planner to assist in drafting an official comprehensive bike/ped transportation plan (see attached letter). 2. Adopt a Complete Streets Policy for Belfast. Building on extensive studies and reports produced by this committee in prior years, we recommend that the Council adopt a Complete Streets policy for all renovation, maintenance, and new construction (see attached Draft Complete Streets Policy). 3. Address critical accessibility and safety concerns at the following intersections (feasible on a very low budget, using curb bulb treatment (see Exhibit D)... 4. Continue to work with MDOT to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at priority Rt. 1 crossings at Rt. 52, Rt. 3, Waldo Ave., and Congress St. See more on our website: https://www.cityofbelfast.org/105/Pedestrian-Biking-Hiking-Committee �Other towns in Maine with a Ped/Bike Master Plan ● ● ● ● ● ● Bangor Area Plan – 2019 Brunswick Plan – 2020 Portland Kittery -2022 Gray – 2018 Gorham – 2017 ● ● ● ● ● ● Bath – 2011 Bristol – 2009 Wiscasset – 2010 Newcastle-Damariscotta – 2015 Boothbay – 2012 Waldoboro – 2011 �Examples of what we’d see in a plan �“Belfast is ready!” -Dakota, Active Transit Planner for MDOT We need your participation! ● ● ● ● Sign up for Walk & Roll Belfast, a new community group of AT enthusiasts Advocate for Active Transit infrastructure at City Council meetings (1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month at 7pm) Bike, walk and roll together! What else? �Thank You!! Email me: harshmancara@gmail.com �The Pedestrian & Bicycle Master Plan will accomplish the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Assess existing infrastructure assets and shortcomings. Identify likely areas of future development (in coordination with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance) and plan multimodal and transportation to serve those areas. Identify potential sites for recreational trails and active transportation links between population centers and outdoor recreation. Coordinate events to engage residents, city officials, and city staff, gauge public opinion, and develop a vision for the future of walking, running, and riding in Belfast. Produce a citywide map and prioritized list of recommended improvements and new facilities. Produce an implementation plan, including sources of potential implementation funding. � https://d1y502jg6fpugt.cloudfront.net/61177/archive/files/69eeb851acd520d5a159c2fae1ee04be.JPG?Expires=1785369600&Signature=n2AfeoRi55k93H1%7ESD1TV-w0pPSRnBMHboQORjp65cvN2ExsT3YCYROCxHKrnn0oX0Dx87N99GD6OQjwDKhvKNlSp7M4rzcqNjMNPOZwOtskFC4pAFumih9UcW5c6252dCgAZIAoY6179JzF2cmH12qUCuT%7EzIl01Izpdc0k6VR0Cdp0lvQQwwlGq1wIf9F%7ERfSoFZXUr0QTavLQuRkVOOO%7EXweVpNB7oAvoQHkuQiwZj%7Eh2yZZBzkUS7yZmWKUDTvHcbXcBpDXpE%7EEhr4w77VmDs5Svlo6GFXJ8Kn0L8maWxZms4G9-Ywi3TLJ2cBk0IWdGNQjr80BejSWdpJ58Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=K6UGZS9ZTDSZM b594ce5251fc478003468c75a1fe14bd 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Community Climate Conversations Event A non-persistent, time-based occurrence. Metadata for an event provides descriptive information that is the basis for discovery of the purpose, location, duration, and responsible agents associated with an event. Examples include an exhibition, webcast, conference, workshop, open day, performance, battle, trial, wedding, tea party, conflagration. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Community Climate Conversation: The Future of Transportation in Belfast & Waldo County Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource ABCD Team, Belfast Pedestrian. Biking & Hiking Committee, Belfast Climate Crisis Committee Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 9, 2023 Description An account of the resource ABCD and the Belfast Climate Crisis Committee (CCC) hosted the fourth in a series of <a href="https://belfastlibrary.org/belfast-climate-action-plan-input/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Community Climate Conversations</a> on February 9, 2023. These conversations are designed to inform residents and solicit ideas for the Climate Action Plan being drafted by the CCC. “The Future of Transportation in Belfast & Waldo County” event took place in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library. 13 people attended on Zoom and 24 people came in person, despite what turned into an icy night for traversing the roads and sidewalks. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfHM90uJ-SA&t=2137s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">View the recording of the event</a> <h2>Overview</h2> Transportation accounts for 49% of carbon emissions, both <a href="https://belfastlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Belfast-GHGI-2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in Belfast</a> and <a href="https://www.maine.gov/future/sites/maine.gov.future/files/inline-files/MaineWontWait_2YearProgressReport.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statewide</a>. Reducing carbon pollution from transportation here in Belfast and Waldo County will certainly require a variety of approaches. This report contains reflections on our event from the ABCD team, followed by short summaries of the comments from: Fred Bowers, chair of the Climate Crisis Committee, Jerry Brand, Climate Crisis Committee member, and Cara Harshman from the Belfast Pedestrian, Biking & Hiking Committee. We also share highlights from our lively community discussion. <h2>Major takeaways from the evening</h2> <ol><li style="font-weight:400;">Our team and audience members noticed this conversation had more energy and excitement. People seemed excited about the ideas, eager for these changes, and not only because of their lower carbon pollution. The convergence of the Pedestrian, Biking & Hiking Committee’s agenda and the service the Waldo Community Action Partners (Waldo CAP) provides, along with the CCC, added a lot of energy. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Once again, the need for leadership was obvious. A leader who might coordinate among the people and organizations who are in action could help us all feel momentum and maximize the impact of each action. We hope that someone or some people in our community take advantage of the <a href="https://www.aclimatetothrive.org/climate-action-hub#ambassadors" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate Ambassadors training being offered by A Climate to Thrive</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">The conversation afterward was really thought provoking. The ABCD team loved that we talked about a "culture shift" in thinking about the future of transportation. It made us realize that by improving bike lanes and safe walking, as well as public transportation (including ride sharing) we can do a lot to reduce individuals' reliance on gas powered cars. We did find it interesting that no one brought up electric vehicles (EVs) or adding EV charging stations in Belfast/Waldo County! We do think this is an important part of the mix to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</li> </ol>What follows are highlights of the evening’s presentations and discussion. <h2>Updates from the Climate Crisis Committee from Fred Bowers </h2> The chair of the Belfast Climate Crisis Committee (CCC), Fred Bowers, introduced the evening with some exciting updates. With the support of the CCC working with city grant-writer Thomas Kittredge, the City is currently in the process of applying for <a href="https://www.maine.gov/future/climate/community-resilience-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maine’s Community Resilience Partnership</a> program. Joining this program will make Belfast eligible for significant no-match grant monies for projects to help reduce carbon emissions, transition to clean energy, and become more resilient to climate change effects. As part of the process, the City needs to adopt a municipal resolution. It also will complete a self-evaluation to review what has already been accomplished in Belfast (municipal solar installations, building energy audits, electric vehicle chargers and more) and to help identify additional opportunities and priorities for community action. Public input to help identify Belfast’s top priorities is a required part of the application process to the Maine Community Resilience Partnership. <a href="https://www.cityofbelfast.org/calendar.aspx?CID=14" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Please stay tuned for the date of the City’s public workshop session, and come make your voice heard!</a> <h2>Current status of transportation in City of Belfast and ideas for future changes from Jerry Brand</h2> CCC member Jerry Brand presented an overview of the current state of transportation in Belfast and Waldo County, and some future transportation options, including electric cars and buses, low-fee/no-fee public bus transport, reconfiguring Belfast to promote walking and bicycling, and exploring intra-city railway. He reviewed a number of current policy initiatives including the <a href="https://www.maine.gov/doe/transportation/cleanbus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maine Clean School Bus Program</a>, <a href="https://www.efficiencymaine.com/electric-vehicle-rebates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Efficiency Maine electric vehicle rebates</a>, and other Maine and federal initiatives to improve public transportation, expand ride sharing, and support enhanced mobility for seniors and those with disabilities. Please see additional details in Jerry’s slides. (They are shown in the slider at the top of this page along with the event photos - note, you can use the arrows at upper right corner to expand the view). <h2>“Belfast is ready!” - The future of Active Transit in Belfast with Cara Harshman of the Pedestrian, Biking & Hiking Committee</h2> Cara Harshman shared that the Pedestrian, Biking & Hiking Committee presented their annual report to the City on February 7. The Committee makes a strong case for the value of having a comprehensive vision that can guide action and infrastructure change as opportunity and funding allow. Their key recommendation is that the City hire a professional planner to help draft an official comprehensive pedestrian/bike plan. See the <a href="https://www.cityofbelfast.org/105/Pedestrian-Biking-Hiking-Committee" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">full set of 2023 Pedestrian, Biking & Hiking Committee priorities</a>, including creation of a “<a href="https://www.maine.gov/mdot/completestreets/">Complete Streets Policy</a>”, and addressing specific problem areas such as the Rt. 52/Rt. 1 crossing. <a href="https://belfastme.new.swagit.com/videos/207266" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watch the Committee’s presentation to the City Council</a> (starting at 24:00 minute mark in the recording). The Maine Department of Transportation is working on a <a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/27763afe326645c285cb1d726ee68cae" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Statewide Active Transportation Plan</a>, and State planner Dakota Hewlett recently told the Ped/Bike Committee that “Belfast is ready!” - we are well-positioned to create our own plan to seek project funding. A Belfast active transit plan would include visual mapping of problematic areas; a high level map of connectivity through the entire city; and ways to create safe, accessible ways to get from places like the YMCA to the high school. It would also include low-cost ideas such as: <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">curb bump-outs (a traffic calming measure which widens the sidewalk for a short distance, reducing the crossing distance and allowing pedestrians and drivers to see each other when parked vehicles would otherwise block visibility),</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">painted intersections, and </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">flex posts (flexible bollards, a low-cost traffic lane delineation tool).</li> </ul>The Ped/Bike Committee, with the City Council’s enthusiastic support, is pursuing exciting grants that would provide a 50/50 match from the State and the City for $50,000 to hire the professional planner to create the master plan. A new group called “Walk & Roll Belfast” is also being created to help citizens band together to create more active transit in our community. SIGN UP to learn more: send your email address to <a href="mailto:walkandrollbelfast@gmail.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walkandrollbelfast@gmail.com</a> to be added to the list! Cara, echoed by several other attendees in the room, noted that we need folks to advocate for more active transit, and the City Council wants to hear from everyone! You can share public comments at the beginning of every meeting (1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 7PM), or <a href="https://www.cityofbelfast.org/166/Mayor-City-Council" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">email, mail, or drop off your comments to the Council</a>. See Cara’s slides for more. (They are shown in the slider at the top of this page along with the event photos - note, you can use the arrows at upper right corner to expand the view). <a href="https://youtu.be/MfHM90uJ-SA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Watch her presentation</a>, which begins at the 26:00 minute mark in the YouTube recording. <h2>Community discussion highlights</h2> After Cara’s presentation, attendees largely focused on the concept she outlined, “active transit” (defined as “any mode of human powered transportation” - walking, biking, wheelchair or other ability device, skateboarding, etc.). We talked about rethinking our expectations and habits about how we get around, and how we might work toward a “diversity of mobility options” to serve different populations. Here are some highlights from the engaged attendee discussion (which begins at approximately 46:00 in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfHM90uJ-SA&t=2876s">recording</a>). Photos of our community discussion flip chart notes are also included on this page. <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Boating - transport by water! Please give your input on the <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJ2cC_F2d5aMKdEpEOIAvRQl_M6TWf0SQrTGs-dQPyOMZmpA/viewform" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belfast Harbor Small Boat Survey</a> - planning for small boat access & tie-ups for commuters </li> </ul><ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Looking back on the community layouts of 100 years ago, with clustered patchwork of “service nodes” within a certain distance, meeting people’s needs for stores, milling, etc. (Think of all the place names like “__ Mill”, or “__ Corner”). Could some version of this have a place in current day zoning - perhaps “mini cities” within 15 minutes walking distance of each other? </li> </ul><ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Municipalities can support year-round active transportation (not just car-centric): Adjust road care regimen to include ped/bike transportation (e.g. not plowing snow into ped/bike lanes)</li> </ul><ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Think about transportation for us… and transportation for tourists. Take note of the “Slow tourism / slow travel” trend.</li> </ul><ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Idea to close some city streets to car traffic in summer? Maybe closing one of the parallel streets? Experiment with temporary setups / demonstrations to see what works. Help tourists get around with public transit.</li> </ul><ul><li>Ridesharing community</li> </ul><ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Coastal ferries? E.g. Belfast to Castine</li> </ul><ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Making intersections safer and more beautiful with vegetated curbs / rain gardens, like <a href="http://www.saveitlancaster.com/rain-gardens-along-w-james-st/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s green streets conversion projects</a>.</li> </ul><ul><li>Electric bikes & golf carts</li> </ul><ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Idling - need a city ordinance, and signage and enforcement. Educate people that newer vehicle engines do not need to be warmed up in winter.</li> </ul><ul><li>Build relationships with the State DOT.</li> </ul><ul><li style="font-weight:400;"><a href="https://waldocap.org/WCAP-programs/transportation-services/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Waldo Community Action Partners</a> director of transportation, Michael Hallundbaek, was a passionate advocate for accessible public transportation. He is also extremely knowledgeable about new technology like "<a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/coordinating-council-access-and-mobility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coordinated transit</a>" tools that help to optimize the number of passengers served per trip. He offered to serve as a community resource and share his extensive knowledge about funding, management, and system of transit in this country. He also shared that Waldo CAP is working on electrifying its own bus fleet.</li> </ul><ul><li style="font-weight:400;"><a href="https://gomaine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GO MAINE</a> is a FREE program of the MaineDOT and the Maine Turnpike Authority, and it offers rewards for taking greener trips! From the website: “WE’RE ABOUT HELPING MAINERS UNDERSTAND THEIR TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AND SAVING COMMUTERS MONEY – The GO MAINE trip planner helps Mainers search for their transportation options for all trip types. GO MAINE provides ride matching for carpoolers, rewards people for taking green commutes and offers the Emergency Ride Home Benefit for our members.” </li> </ul>And finally, a closing invitation from Fred Bowers, Climate Crisis Committee chair: Please plan to attend the meeting for public input on the City’s Maine Community Resilience Partnership application (date TBD); and the Comprehensive Plan meetings. The Council would like to hear everyone’s input. <h2>Conclusions</h2> At the end of the evening, we went back through our flip chart notes (see photos in the image slider at the top of the page) and identified all the things that people can do now. The majority of ideas had at least some element that people can do now, whether it’s going to city councilors to advocate for the idea or taking it upon themselves to reduce trips or share trips. Looking back on the night’s conversations, this is a huge topic with lots of room for more discussion! It was an exciting community conversation that was both visionary and action-focused. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfHM90uJ-SA&t=2137s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">View the recording of the event</a>