Farmington Bicycle Advisory Committee Juggles Fences, Water Fountains, and Mosquitoes—With a Smile
By Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury
You’ll get a lively Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting when you put together a group of Farmington’s most dedicated cyclists, a missing agenda, a pesky fence, and a few mosquitoes. At the committee’s most recent gathering—held virtually—the group discussed everything from updating their mission statement to the decades-old problem of a stubborn fence near the Daily Grind coffee shop.
If you missed it, don’t worry. The meeting, which can be viewed in full here, was a mix of humor, brainstorming, and just the right amount of technical mishaps to keep things interesting.
A Mission for Modern Times
Once it was found, the top agenda item was a discussion about revising the committee’s charge. Originally formed to help the town secure federal certification as a bike-friendly community, the committee’s mission hasn’t been updated since 2014. However, with evolving standards, Chairperson Neil Bruce Rich suggested it’s time for a refresh.
“We need to bring the charge into the 2020s,” Rich said, prompting nods and agreement from fellow committee members. Carolyn Sinclair proposed adding “education” to the charge, ensuring that community outreach goes hand-in-hand with teaching both cyclists and pedestrians how to stay safe.
“Education and outreach should be at the core of what we do,” Sinclair emphasized, setting the tone for the rest of the discussion. The group also decided to broaden their mission to include pedestrian safety, reflecting the needs of a more walkable Farmington.
Fence Drama Near Daily Grind: A Saga
Every town has that one unresolved issue that lingers for years. For Farmington’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, that issue is a fence—one that’s been standing in the way of progress near the Daily Grind for far too long.
“We’ve been talking about this for months,” Sinclair said with a touch of exasperation. “Can we just get it done?”
Dylan Hartman, Director of Parks and Recreation, took full responsibility for the delay. “I went to take the fence down myself, but it’s more complicated than it looks,” he admitted, prompting laughter from the group. “I’ll get the right tools and make it happen.”
As lighthearted as the discussion was, the removal of the fence plays an important role in improving access for cyclists in the area. The group agreed that making small changes, like removing this obstacle, could have a big impact on the community.
The Water Fountain That Never Arrives
In what’s become another long-running committee topic, the elusive installation of a water fountain for cyclists was briefly discussed. Rich assured the group that it’s still in the works, although members seemed skeptical.
“We’ve been waiting for this fountain for over a year,” Hargrove said with a grin. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Despite the jokes, the committee remained committed to getting the fountain installed, acknowledging that it would provide a valuable resource for cyclists riding through the area.
A Budget Request for Real Progress
One of the more serious discussions centered around the need for a small annual budget to handle the committee’s immediate priorities—like signage, surveys, and public education events. Hartman highlighted how their current reliance on grants for large projects leaves smaller, day-to-day needs unfunded.
“We need some discretionary spending, even if it’s just a few thousand a year,” Hartman said. The group agreed that it’s time to approach the Town Council to secure consistent funding, something that could make implementing new initiatives much easier.
Rich echoed the need for more support, proposing that the committee begin reporting not only on their accomplishments but also on their future goals. “It’s time to start showing the council what we plan to do next,” he said, emphasizing the importance of keeping the town’s leaders informed.
Surveying the Community for Feedback
Looking to the future, Hartman presented the idea of a public survey to assess how residents use the town’s bike paths and what improvements they’d like to see. The survey will ask questions like, “Where do you bike?” and “What stops you from biking to certain areas?”
The results, Hartman explained, would guide future planning efforts. “We want to make sure we’re doing what the community needs,” he said. The committee aims to launch the survey next spring, giving them time to refine their questions and approach.
Sample Minutes: AI Could Do This?
Brian D’Amico, the tech enthusiast of the group, suggested using AI to handle the often tedious task of creating meeting minutes. “You don’t even need to take notes anymore,” he said, explaining how transcription software could take the load off committee members. Hargrove wasn’t fully convinced: “I have no idea what you just said, but it sounds… expensive.”
To demonstrate what’s possible, here’s a sample of detailed meeting minutes generated from the transcript of the committee’s meeting:
Minutes from the Farmington Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting (September 2023)
Date: September 2023
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Link to Meeting: Watch Full Meeting
Attendees:
- Neil Bruce Rich (Chair)
- Brian D’Amico
- Dylan Hartman (Director of Parks and Recreation)
- Carolyn Sinclair
- Ron Hargrove
1. Call to Order
Meeting started at 7:00 PM by Chair Neil Bruce Rich.
2. Review of Committee Charge
- Motion passed: Add “education” to the charge.
- Agreed to update the language to include pedestrian safety.
3. Public Survey Discussion
- Plan to launch a public survey by Spring 2024.
- Action Item: Hartman will draft survey questions for next meeting.
4. Fence Removal Near Daily Grind
- Dylan Hartman to arrange removal within the next month.
5. Water Fountain Installation
- Fountain installation is pending.
6. Budget Discussion
- Committee to request $5,000–$7,000 annually from Town Council.
- Action Item: Rich to draft a letter for council.
7. New Bike Safety Signage
- Three locations identified for signage: Meadow Road and Red Oak Hill Road.
- Action Item: Signs to be installed by April 2024.
Adjournment: 9:00 PM
And Now, A Special Thanks to Our SponsorÂ
Before we wrap up, let’s not forget to give a big shout-out to our generous sponsor, Farmington Storage, located at 155 Scott Swamp Road. If you’re running out of space for your oversized bike (or, let’s be honest, that mountain of stuff you keep promising to organize), Farmington Storage is your go-to. Give them a call at 860.777.4001—they’re great at finding storage solutions, even if we can’t always find our agenda! Tell them the Mercury sent you, and maybe they’ll throw in a complimentary smile!
Looking Ahead
As the meeting concluded, the committee walked away with an ambitious to-do list and a renewed sense of purpose. With new signage set to go up by spring and hopes for a small budget on the horizon, it’s clear that the Farmington Bicycle Advisory Committee is as committed as ever to making the town more bike-friendly—one fence removal and water fountain at a time.
Want to get involved or learn more? The committee meets regularly, and all are welcome. Watch their latest meeting here and stay tuned for future updates!
Stay Informed with The Farmington Mercury
Don’t miss a beat this election season! Follow all of our Election 2024 coverage here and stay up-to-date with the latest news, insights, and analysis.
Want more in-depth stories delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter here for exclusive content, interviews, and updates.
Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay connected with The Farmington Mercury.
