MPO Meeting Minutes
Draft Memorandum for the Record
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting
March 4, 2021 Meeting
10:00 AM–1:10 PM, Zoom Video Conferencing Platform
David Mohler, Chair, representing Jamey Tesler, Acting Secretary, and Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) agreed to the following:
See attendance beginning page 9.
D. Mohler invited John Bechard (MassDOT Highway Division) to present on the TIP process and project cost estimates. J. Bechard described some of the steps MassDOT has taken to improve reliability and the MassDOT contingency costs included in the final cost estimates for projects. He stated that these are known costs and are not added at the end of the process. The total federal participating cost (that is, the amount programmed in the TIP) includes these contingencies. J. Bechard reviewed these estimates for each of the MPO-funded projects in the FFY 2021–25 that were previously discussed by the MPO during discussions of budget overruns.
Jay Monty (At-Large City) (City of Everett) asked at what point in project design the contingency costs are added. J. Bechard replied that these costs should have been accounted for by the designer and acknowledged that MassDOT needs to better educate municipalities and consultants on estimating. D. Mohler added that if a consultant designs a project based on the amount in the TIP, they are overdesigning the project, and it will not be delivered at the TIP estimate because the TIP estimate includes the contingencies.
Ken Miller (Federal Highway Administration) agreed that these costs should be included in any total federal participating costs programmed in the TIP. Office estimates may include nonparticipating items that should be excluded from the total federal participating costs. K. Miller expressed concern about the difference between the estimates presented by J. Bechard and those presented by staff. J. Bechard replied that this may be due to recent changes that have not yet been updated in MassDOT’s project information system.
Tom Bent (Inner Core Committee) (City of Somerville) asked whether the problem is that design consultants are not accurately accounting for these costs. J. Bechard agreed and stated that these costs need to be scrutinized more. T. Bent asked whether there is an assessment of costs after the completion of a project. J. Bechard stated that MassDOT does track final costs in relation to estimates.
David Koses (At-Large City) (City of Newton) asked how the MPO would know if an office estimate does not include these extra costs. J. Bechard stated that there is a communication breakdown between the consultant community, MassDOT, and municipalities.
D. Mohler suggested that the MPO ask municipalities to submit itemized office estimates.
Tom Kadzis (City of Boston) (Boston Transportation Department) stated that the MPO should coordinate with MassDOT project managers to review functional design reports.
Jim Fitzgerald (City of Boston) (Boston Planning & Development Agency) asked how the MPO could get more accurate cost estimates earlier. J. Bechard stated that within six months of project approval, MassDOT holds a pre-25 percent design scoping meeting with the designer and the community.
Tom Branham (Framingham Alternative Transportation Group) stated that it is difficult for communities to secure funding for design and that better guidance would be helpful.
Ben Cares (City of Chelsea) agreed that the immediate intervention at the 25 percent design stage could be extremely helpful.
Matthew Petersen commented that it is unclear how costs can be contained if the MPO is committed to covering all cost increases for all projects. M. Peterson stated that the MPO should be clear that costs above a certain degree of contingency will not be covered, because doing so inhibits the MPO’s ability to fund new projects and meet the transportation needs of the region. M. Peterson stated that more project oversight at all stages of the planning, funding, and delivery processes will deliver real benefits to the people living in the Boston region.
Marzie Galazka (Director of Community and Economic Development, Town of Swampscott) advocated for programming project #610666 (Swampscott Rail Trail) in the FFYs 2022–26 TIP.
Allison Burson (Solomon Foundation) advocated for programming project #610666 in the FFYs 2022–26 TIP.
Mayor Tom McGee (City of Lynn) advocated for keeping project #602077 (Reconstruction on Route 129 [Lynnfield St.] in Lynn) programmed for FFY 2022, project #609252 (Rehabilitation of Essex Street in Lynn) in FFYs 2024, and asked that the MPO program project #609246 (Reconstruction of Western Avenue [Route 107] in Lynn) in the FFYs 2022–26 TIP.
Councillor Stephen Winslow (City of Malden) advocated for the programming of several Community Connections projects in Malden including MBTA Main Street Transit Signal Priority (TSP), MBTA Salem Street and Centre Street TSP, and BlueBikes Expansion.
Emily Teller (Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail) advocated for keeping project #608164 (Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Phase 2D in Sudbury and Concord) programmed in FFY 2022 and suggested that it could be ready to program in FFY 2021 should any other projects not be ready. She asked for a commitment from MassDOT that the Chapter 91 licensing issue not be a delay.
Beth Suedmeyer (Town of Sudbury) advocated for project #608164 and stated that the town is confident the project can be delivered in FFY 2022.
David Kucharsky (City of Salem) advocated for Community Connections project Salem Skipper Microtransit Service.
Rich Benevento (WorldTech Engineering) advocated for project #608933 (Rehabilitation of Central Street in Peabody), noting that while the office estimate is slightly over budget, the design team will be working to keep costs down. He noted that he is working with J. Bechard on a stakeholder group to resolve the aforementioned cost estimating issues.
B. Cares advocated for project #608078 (Reconstruction of Broadway, from City Hall to the Revere City Line in Chelsea), stating that the city is well positioned to advertise in December 2021. B. Cares also advocated for the MPO to program project #611983 (Park Street and Pearl Street Reconstruction in Chelsea).
Brendan Callahan (City of Peabody) advocated for and provided updates on two currently programmed projects, #609211 (Independence Greenway Extension in Peabody) and #610544 (Multi-Use Path Construction of Independence Greenway at I95 and Route 1 in Peabody).
Todd Blake (City of Medford) advocated for Community Connections project BlueBikes Expansion in Malden.
Sophia Galimore (Watertown Transportation Management Association) advocated for Community Connections project Watertown Shuttle Service.
Lisa DiRocco (Medford Bicycle Advisory Commission) advocated for Community Connections project BlueBikes Expansion in Medford.
Phil Lemnios (Town of Hull) advocated for project #601607 (Reconstruction of Atlantic Ave. and Related Work in Hull), currently programmed in FFY 2021, and stated that the project is on schedule.
R. Benevento provided an update on project #607777 (Rehabilitation of Mount Auburn St. [Route 16] in Watertown), stating that the project would be a good candidate to move into FFY 2023.
T. Teich provided an update on recent MPO staff outreach
activities.
B. Muller stated that the committee met prior to the MPO board and would next meet on March 25, 2021, at 9:00 AM.
L. Diggins stated that Matt Genova and Sandy Johnston, MPO Staff, would speak at the next Regional Transportation Advisory Council meeting.
1. Comment Letter United Spinal Association
J. Li stated that, for the purposes of the travel demand model, the pedestrian environment includes all nonmotorized travelers: people walking, jogging, using wheelchairs, and biking. This study would improve the Pedestrian Environment Variable (PEV) calculation by improving the representation of local roads. The duration of this project is four months with a total estimated cost of $25,000. J. Li addressed comments made by Abby Swaine, United Spinal Association, regarding the consideration of wheelchair users in the PEV.
Brian Kane (MBTA Advisory Board) commented that it is important to make sure that people using mobility devices are properly accounted for in the model.
L. Diggins asked about the representation of sidewalks in the model. J. Li replied that sidewalks are a variable in the current PEV that will hopefully be improved by using local road inventory data.
A motion to approve the work program for Improving Pedestrian Variables in the Travel Demand Model was made by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane) and seconded by the Advisory Council (L. Diggins). The motion carried.
1. TIP Amendment Three Simplified
Amendment Three
makes adjustments to four MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) projects
in FFY 2021. These changes are being made to align MWRTA’s programming with the
federally approved project list.
A motion to release Amendment Three to the FFYs 2021–25 TIP was made by the MetroWest Regional Collaborative (City of Framingham) (Thatcher Kezer III) and seconded by North Suburban Planning Council (City of Woburn) (Tina Cassidy). The motion carried.
1. FFYs 2022–26 TIP Preliminary Programming Scenario
2. FFYs 2022–26 TIP Detailed Readiness and Cost Information
3. FFYs 2021–25 TIP Project Descriptions
4. FFYs 2022–26 TIP Unprogrammed Project Descriptions
5. FFYs 2022–26 TIP Public Comments Received as of 0302
M. Genova provided a summary of written public comments
submitted to the MPO since the last board meeting and discussed the initial
programming scenario for the FFYs 2022–26 TIP. M. Genova stated that the presented
scenario assumes all recent cost changes, a four percent non-compounding
inflation rate beginning with FFY 2023, and full funding for the Community
Connections and Transit Modernization programs. The scenario includes all other
current funding commitments and maxes out funding for existing TIP projects in
each fiscal year, resulting in a five-year program with a net balance of zero
dollars. M. Genova stated that the MPO has received $3.7 million in
applications for the Community Connections program, with just $2 million in
funding allocated to the program in FFY 2022. In FFY 2026, the total funding
request for all other TIP projects is approaching $350 million. In the
presented scenario, no funding would be available to cover any of this request.
M. Genova noted that four projects are moved into later fiscal years and only
one would be moved purely due to funding limitations. M. Genova stated that the
goal for the discussion would be to build consensus on a scenario to move
forward with to clarify how much funding might be available for new projects.
B. Kane stated that the MPO should not program all the funding
every year, especially in the last years of the TIP, to account for cost
overruns.
Eric Bourassa (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) asked whether
the changes to the cash flows for project #606226 (Reconstruction of Rutherford
Avenue in Boston) assume that the project funding continues into FFY 2027. M.
Genova responded that this is correct and that the scenario assumes there is an
additional $8.5 million remaining to fund. E. Bourassa stated that it would be critical
to get a determination from MassDOT about the construction schedule.
J.
Fitzgerald thanked the MPO for its support of project #606226 and noted that
the City has secured $25 million over 10 years for the project in casino
mitigation funds, which will hopefully account for some of the additional costs.
D.
Mohler stated that MassDOT is reassessing its analysis of #606226’s readiness,
and if the project is delayed it will free up $10 million in FFY 2022 but will
require $10 million more in FFYs 2023 through 2027.
T.
Kadzis suggested keeping a reserve in FFY 2022.
L.
Diggins agreed and suggested that the MPO do this whenever a project is delayed
to anticipate increases.
K.
Miller stated that he understood the appeal of leaving a reserve, but that
doing so would signal an acceptance of cost increases and remove the incentive
to reduce costs.
B.
Kane stated that it would not accept cost increases as inevitable but rather
acknowledge their reality.
L.
Diggins stated that the MPO should honor previous commitments until there is a
formal policy change.
K.
Miller stated that an alternative would be to change the inflation rate,
stating that nothing prevents the MPO from using a rate different than the
federal default.
There
was some discussion of adding an agenda item regarding policy changes to a
future meeting.
L.
Diggins noted that the MPO has received a significant number of comments in
opposition to the Belmont Community Path project and asked that the Town of
Belmont or other representatives of the project speak to these concerns. M.
Genova stated that the Town of Belmont has addressed these objections in
writing and he would let them know the MPO’s concern.
K.
Miller also requested an update on project #605789 (Reconstruction of Melnea
Cass Boulevard in Boston).
T.
Branham stated that not all abutter concerns regarding rail trail projects are
legitimate concerns rather than opposition to change.
M.
Petersen agreed that letters of opposition for any given project may only
represent the opinions of a vocal few.
D.
Mohler noted that there is also the possibility that the cash flows for project
#1570 (Green Line Extension to College Avenue with the Union Square Spur in
Somerville and Medford) could be adjusted to make additional funding available
for programming.
There were none.
A motion to adjourn was made by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane) and seconded by the North Suburban Planning Council (City of Woburn) (T. Cassidy). The motion carried.
|
Members |
Representatives
and
Alternates |
|
At-Large City (City of Everett) |
Jay Monty
|
|
At-Large City (City of Newton) |
David Koses |
|
At-Large Town (Town of Arlington) |
Daniel Amstutz |
|
At-Large Town (Town of Brookline) |
Heather Hamilton Todd Kirrane |
|
City of Boston (Boston Planning &
Development Agency) |
Jim Fitzgerald |
|
City of Boston (Boston Transportation
Department) |
Tom Kadzis |
|
Federal Highway Administration |
Ken Miller |
|
Federal Transit Administration |
|
|
Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville) |
Tom Bent
|
|
Massachusetts Department of Transportation |
David Mohler John Bechard |
|
MassDOT Highway Division |
John Romano |
|
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
(MBTA) |
Jillian Linnell |
|
Massachusetts Port Authority |
|
|
MBTA Advisory Board |
Brian Kane |
|
Metropolitan Area Planning Council |
Eric Bourassa |
|
MetroWest Regional Collaborative (City of
Framingham) |
Thatcher Kezer III |
|
Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal
Coordination (Town of Acton) |
Austin Cyganiewicz |
|
North Shore Task Force (City of Beverly) |
Darlene Wynne |
|
North Suburban Planning Council (City of
Woburn) |
Tina Cassidy |
|
Regional Transportation Advisory Council |
Lenard Diggins |
|
South Shore Coalition (Town of Rockland) |
|
|
South West Advisory Planning Committee
(Town of Medway) |
Peter Pelletier |
|
Three Rivers Interlocal Council (Town of
Norwood/Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce) |
Tom O’Rourke |
|
Other
Attendees |
Affiliation |
|
Aaron Clausen |
City of Lynn |
|
Abby Swaine |
United Spinal Association |
|
Aleida Leza |
Belmont Resident |
|
Ali Kleyman |
City of Somerville |
|
Alicia Hunt |
City of Medford |
|
Allison Burson |
Solomon Foundation |
|
Anacristina Fragoso |
Advisory Council |
|
Andrew J. Hall |
|
|
Ben Muller |
MassDOT |
|
Bryan Pounds |
MassDOT |
|
Cheryll-Ann Senior |
MassDOT |
|
Charlie Russo |
Town of Sudbury Select Board |
|
Constance Raphael |
MassDOT |
|
Cosmo Caterino |
Belmont Resident |
|
Cynthia Guise |
|
|
Dan McCormack |
|
|
David Kucharsky |
City of Salem |
|
Erika Oliver Jerram |
City of Framingham |
|
Eve Mathison |
|
|
Frank Tramontozzi |
City of Quincy |
|
Janie Dretler |
Town of Sudbury Select Board |
|
Jay Corey |
|
|
Jeanette Rebecchi |
Town of Bedford |
|
Jennifer Honig |
|
|
Jeremy Thompson |
MetroWest/495 Partnership |
|
Jessica L. Whited |
|
|
Joe Blankenship |
City of Boston |
|
Joel Angiolillo |
|
|
John Morgan |
|
|
Josh Klingenstein |
MBTA |
|
Joy Glynn |
MWRTA |
|
JR Frey |
Town of Hingham |
|
Justin Curewitz |
|
|
Kien Ho |
Beta Group |
|
Kristen Guichard |
Town of Acton |
|
Len Simon |
|
|
Lisa DiRocco |
|
|
Councillor Stephen Winslow |
City of Malden |
|
Marcia Rasmussen |
|
|
Marzie Galazka |
Town of Swampscott |
|
Matthew Petersen |
|
|
Michelle Ho |
MassDOT |
|
Mike Garrity |
|
|
Miranda Briseño |
|
|
Nick Lapointe |
Fuss and O’Neill |
|
Owen MacDonald |
Town of Weymouth |
|
Paul Cobuzzi |
|
|
Paula Doucette |
|
|
Phil Lemnios |
Town of Hull |
|
Robert Penfield |
|
|
Rich Benevento |
WorldTech Engineering |
|
Tom Branham |
Alternative Transportation Group Framingham |
|
Brendan Callahan |
City of Peabody |
|
Ben Cares |
City of Chelsea |
|
Emily Teller |
Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail |
|
Beth Suedmeyer |
Town of Sudbury |
|
Sarah Bradbury |
MassDOT |
|
Scott Zadakis |
Advisory Council |
|
Sean Fitzgerald |
Town of Swampscott |
|
Sheila Page |
Town of Lexington |
|
Sophia Galimore |
Watertown TMA |
|
Steve Olanoff |
TRIC Alternate |
|
Tim Bethke |
|
|
Todd Baldwin |
Town of Saugus |
|
Todd Blake |
City of Medford |
|
Mayor Tom McGee |
City of Lynn |
|
Valerie Gingrich |
Town of Wilmington |
|
William Paulitz |
|
|
MPO
Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff |
|
Tegin Teich, Executive Director |
|
Annette Demchur |
|
Matt Archer |
|
Sabiheh Faghih |
|
Róisín Foley |
|
Jonathan Church |
|
Hiral Gandhi |
|
Matt Genova |
|
Betsy Harvey |
|
Sandy Johnston |
|
Jieping Li |
|
Anne McGahan |
|
Marty Milkovits |
|
Ariel Patterson |
|
Gina Perille |
|
Roger Roy |
|
Barbara Rutman |
|
Michelle Scott |
|
Kate White |
|
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO) operates its programs, services, and activities in
compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of
1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits discrimination
in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in the United
States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin
(including limited English proficiency), be excluded from participation in,
denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any
program or activity that receives federal assistance. Related federal
nondiscrimination laws administered by the Federal Highway Administration,
Federal Transit Administration, or both, prohibit discrimination on the basis
of age, sex, and disability. The Boston Region MPO considers these protected
populations in its Title VI Programs, consistent with federal interpretation
and administration. In addition, the Boston Region MPO provides meaningful
access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited
English proficiency, in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation
policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166. The Boston Region MPO also complies with the
Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L. c 272 sections 92a, 98, 98a,
which prohibits making any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in
admission to, or treatment in a place of public accommodation based on race,
color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability,
or ancestry. Likewise, the Boston Region MPO complies with the Governor's
Executive Order 526, section 4, which requires that all programs, activities,
and services provided, performed, licensed, chartered, funded, regulated, or
contracted for by the state shall be conducted without unlawful
discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry,
national origin, disability, veteran's status (including Vietnam-era
veterans), or background. A complaint form and additional information can be
obtained by contacting the MPO or at http://www.bostonmpo.org/mpo_non_discrimination. To request this
information in a different language or in an accessible format, please
contact Title VI Specialist |