Meeting Summary May 14, 2026

Attending: Hultgren, Thorne, Clark, Taylor

The meeting began shortly after 7:00 pm in the lobby of the Transportation Center in Downtown Storrs.
The summary of the volunteer sign-ups for the 2026 fourth grade bike education days as prepared by Cecile Cerazo of the EHHD was reviewed. Clark had signed up late, and wasn’t shown on the summary, and Hultgren didn’t sign up at all, so they were both added to the summary with Clark volunteering for the first week (except perhaps on Thursday if there were enough volunteers), and Hultgren will be there every day except Friday the 29th. There were still a few days where volunteers are needed, since two volunteers are necessary to do the under-the-tent instruction for each group of students. Those “thin” days/shifts are Tuesday May 26th in the afternoon (only 3); Wednesday May 27th in the afternoon also again just 3); Monday June 2nd in the afternoon (only 2 volunteers – Waldburger and Hultgren); the afternoon of Tuesday June 3rd (again just Dave and Lon); and the afternoon of Wednesday June 4th (again just Dave and Lon). Hultgren said he would contact the lead PE teacher to see if he can provide additional volunteers on those afternoons, through teachers, parents or others. Thorne said that he might be available for some of those days depending on some mandatory doctor visits. Hultgren reminded everyone that even though the students don’t come out until 9:30, the tents, tables and bicycles all need to be set up before the first class, so volunteers should try to get to the school by 8:00 if possible.

Hultgren reported that he and England had met with Stacy Estrella of the MCNR to review the process to set up rides. Rides for MCNR patients should resume as soon as the weather gets warmer. He also said that he was waiting for the final vote of the Board members on which of the trained pilots should get background checks, but that he would at least start the checks for the 3 most recently trained pilots next week.

The Town’s BFC renewal application was discussed. Hultgren said he made notes when going through the application listing all the answers to the questions that will need to be updated prior to the submittal to the League (June 17th). He said that he would send these notes to the collaborators who will be helping to prepare the application, and that no one person (other than he and the Assistant Town Engineer (Derek Dilaj)) would have to worry about the whole document … but Clark said she would be willing to edit the document one final time before it is submitted.

Since England and Manizza weren’t present and Thorne didn’t know when he would be free, Hultgren will email out possible dates to meet with present and future Bike Mansfield Business Members. This will most likely have to wait until the 2nd week in June because of the 4th grade bike education program.

Hultgren reminded everyone that Bike Mansfield did receive a 3rd microgrant from DOT and CRCOG and that funds were included in the grant for 4 scholarships for League Cycling Instructor LCI) seminars along with the prerequisite Safe Cycling Classes and that everyone should spread the word so we can award these scholarships in the coming year.

The meeting was concluded at approximately 7:50 pm.
Lon Hultgren, Sec-Treas
Bike Mansfield