MPO Meeting Minutes
Memorandum for the Record
Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting
March 2, 2023, Meeting
10:00 AM–12:30 PM, Zoom Video Conferencing Platform
David Mohler, Chair, representing Gina Fiandaca, Secretary of Transportation and Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)
The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) agreed to the following:
See attendance on page 10.
D. Mohler, Chair, stated that Agenda Item 8, the work scope for Flexible, Fixed-Route Bus Service, has been postponed to a future meeting.
T. Teich, Executive Director, shared four job postings: Manager of MPO Activities, Manager of Policy and Planning, Manager of Multimodal Planning and Design, and Program Manager of the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
T. Teich stated that inquiries about the LRTP should be directed to Bradley Putnam, the Interim Program Manager of the LRTP.
T. Teich stated that the Open Meeting Law extension allowing virtual meetings is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2023. The Transportation Board Room has been reserved for MPO use through October 2023.
Frank Ventimiglia, Ipswich Department of Public Works, spoke about the Ipswich Argilla Roadway Reconstruction and Adaptation project. F. Ventimiglia described the project background and discussed resiliency efforts being made in the area. F. Ventimiglia advocated for the project to be funded in the FFYs 2024–28 TIP.
Danielle DeMarco, Campanelli Company, spoke in support of the Royall Street Shuttle in Canton. Campanelli Company owns an office building at 250 Royall Street and noted the importance of the shuttle to its business and attracting tenants to its building.
Yadira Martinez, Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company, spoke in support of the Royall Street Shuttle. Y. Martinez noted its importance in incentivizing employees to return to the office and promoting mode shifts.
Brian McCusker, Point32Health, spoke in support of the Royall Street shuttle. B. McCusker noted that the shuttle service was crucial in retaining and attracting employees after it moved its office.
Josh Ostroff, Town of Newton Planning Department, spoke in support of the NewMo Microtransit service. J. Ostroff noted that the service is critical for providing mobility options in Newton, providing equitable mobility especially for seniors and people with disabilities, supporting the workforce, and reducing congestion. J. Ostroff discussed the importance of the Community Connections program funding for this service and noted that Newton is exploring options to maintain and support the service in the future.
Gene Manning, Town of Canton Interim Town Planner, spoke in support of the Royall Street Shuttle. G. Manning noted the shuttle's importance to the town and its impacts on reducing congestion and benefits to the business community.
Karen Dumaine, Neponset Valley Transportation Management Association, spoke in support of the Royall Street Shuttle. K. Dumaine discussed the importance of the shuttle as a transit option for residents who lack other transit access and ways to get to work.
Brad Rawson, City of Somerville, noted Somerville's support for the TIP process and commended the MPO on TIP process improvements over the years. B. Rawson noted the importance of discussing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) regional portfolio of projects and requested that the MPO Board see and discuss those projects.
Derek Krevat, MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning, stated that there will be a meeting of the Unified Planning Work Program Committee on March 16, 2023, at 1:00 PM.
Brian Kane, MBTA Advisory Board, stated that the Administration and Finance Committee met prior to this meeting to continue the development of the Operations Plan.
Lenard Diggins, Regional Transportation Advisory Council, stated that the next meeting will be held on March 8, 2023, at 2:30 PM.
1. January 26, 2023, Meeting Minutes (pdf)
2. January 26, 2023, Meeting Minutes (html)
A motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 26, 2023, was made by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) (Eric Bourassa) and seconded by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane). The motion carried through a roll call vote.
Presentation of this work scope has been postponed to a future meeting.
3. FFYs 2024–28 TIP Adjustment Three (pdf)
4. FFYs 2024–28 TIP Adjustment Three (html)
L. Casey presented FFYs 2023–27 TIP Adjustment Three.
The adjustment proposes:
· Funding source adjustment for Quincy–Milton–Boston Interstate Maintenance and Related Work on Interstate 93
· Correction to Section 5307 funding amount for Cape Ann Transportation Authority’s Revenue Vehicle Replacement project
A motion to endorse FFYs 2023–27 TIP Adjustment Three, was made by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane) and seconded by the MAPC (E. Bourassa). The motion carried through a roll call vote.
5. Title VI Triennial Report (pdf)
6. Title VI Triennial Report (html)
7. Title VI Public Comments (pdf)
8. Title VI Public Comments (html)
9. Title VI Public Comments and Response Summary (pdf)
10. Title VI Public Comments and Response Summary (html)
B. Harvey reviewed the 2022 Title VI Triennial Report for endorsement and presented public comments received during the report’s 30-day public comment period. Three comment letters were received and MPO Staff responded to each letter. B. Harvey summarized each comment letter for the board.
Vote
A motion to endorse the Title VI Triennial Report, was made by the MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the Regional Transportation Advisory Council (L. Diggins). The motion carried through a roll call vote.
11. Community Connections Shuttle Performance Data (pdf)
12. Community Connections Shuttle Performance Data (html)
13. Neponset River Regional Chamber Comment Letter (pdf)
14. Neponset River Regional Chamber Comment Letter (html)
E. Lapointe discussed performance data of two Community Connections shuttle projects: the Royall Street Shuttle and the NewMo Microtransit Service Expansion.
The Royall Street Shuttle provides weekday service connecting MBTA Red Line stations and commuter rail stations to businesses along Royall Street in Canton. E. Lapointe discussed ridership data and projections for FFYs 2022–24. The FFY 2023 cost per rider from the MPO’s financial contribution is $63.21.
The NewMo Service Expansion builds upon the Newton Microtransit Service, providing additional service to nine stops along Newton’s municipal boarders. E. Lapointe discussed combined performance data of the NewMo Service and Expansion. The FFY 2023 cost per rider from the MPO’s financial contribution is $7.91.
David Koses, City of Newton, asked why the performance evaluation was conducted on three of the eight current shuttle projects, counting the NewMo and NewMo Expansion separately. D. Krevat responded that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requested that MassDOT indicate its support for ongoing funding, and to make that determination, the MPO’s disposition on this approval was needed. The two shuttles evaluated were the only two shuttles to begin in FFY 2022.
B. Kane stated his support for ongoing funding of the shuttles.
E. Bourassa asked for clarification on the methodology to determine ridership and costs for the Royall Street Shuttle.
Tom O’Rourke, Three Rivers Interlocal Council (TRIC), stated his support for ongoing funding of the Royall Street Shuttle.
Kenneth Miller, FHWA, asked for the definition of “ridership,” as used within the performance analysis. E. Lapointe confirmed that ridership is equivalent to passenger trips.
A motion to approve continued funding for FFY 2023 of the Royall Street Shuttle was made by TRIC (T. O’Rourke) and was seconded by the MBTA Advisory Board (B. Kane). The motion carried through a roll call vote.
A motion to approve continued funding for FFY 2023 of the NewMo Shuttle Expansion was made by the City of Newton (D. Koses) and seconded by the MAPC (E. Bourassa). The motion carried through a roll call vote.
15. FFYs 2024–28 TIP Scoring Summary (pdf)
16. FFYs 2024–28 TIP Scoring Summary (html)
17. FFYs 2024–28 TIP Evaluated Project Descriptions (pdf)
18. FFYs 2024–28 TIP Evaluated Project Descriptions (html)
E. Lapointe and L. Casey reviewed evaluation scores and key details of projects under consideration for funding in the FFYs 2024–28 TIP. There were 19 projects scored, with new projects primarily being funded in FFY 2028. All projects are scored on a 100-point scale. Scores are not compared across the four investment programs: Community Connections, Complete Streets, Intersection Improvements, and Bicycle Network and Pedestrian Connections.
Scores are as follows, with additional information available in the linked documents:
· Bicycle Network and Pedestrian Connections
o Spot Pond Brook Greenway in Malden: 73
o Cochituate Rail Trail Extension in Natick: Score to be determined due to late submission
· Complete Streets
o Roadway Rehabilitation of Route 126, Hartford Road in Bellingham: 51.8
o Bridge Preservation, Cambridge Street over MBTA in Boston: Score to be determined due to late submission
o Argilla Roadway Reconstruction and Adaptation (Crane Estate to Crane Beach) in Ipswich: 37.1
o Envision Wakefield Main Street Improvements in Wakefield: 61.8
o Reconstruction of Canton Street (East Street Rotary to University Avenue) in Westwood: 52.8
· Intersection Improvements
o Signal Installation at Randolph and York Street Intersection in Canton: N/A, project not far enough in project initiation process to be funded through the TIP
· Community Connections
o Broad Street Corridor Transit Signal Priority in Lynn: 88
o Boston Electric BlueBikes Adoption: 84
o Cambridge Electric BlueBikes Adoption: 81
o Medford BlueBikes Expansion: 78
o Medford Bicycle Parking—Tier 1: 84
o Canton Center Bicycle Racks: 72
o Canton Public Schools Bike Program: 38
o Concord Workforce Shuttle: 71
o MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA): CatchConnect Microtransit Expansion Phase 2: 90
o North Reading Demand-Response Shuttle Pilot Program: 77.25
o Revere On-Demand Shuttle Service: 57
E. Bourassa asked if the MPO’s policy to only score projects above the 25 percent design threshold is limiting the number of projects applying for TIP funding, noting that past years had more project applications. E. Lapointe affirmed that excluding Community Connections projects, there were only nine projects submitted for scoring. E. Bourassa suggested discussing this policy at a future meeting.
B. Kane asked if the project scoring process accounts for the impacts of climate change. D. Mohler responded that B Kane’s question can be addressed in future policy discussions.
B. Kane asked for elaboration on the design status of Project #612989, the Boston Bridge Replacement on Cambridge Street over the MBTA Orange Line. E. Lapointe answered that the City of Boston completed its internal design of the bridge replacement in 2022 and it was presented to the Project Review Committee within MassDOT, where additional adjustments are expected to be made. Para Jayasinghe, Boston Public Works Department, stated that the bridge is in a critical location, where its failure can result in numerous challenges.
Linda Orel, The Trustees, commented that the design for Argilla Road in Ipswich was created to be resilient to climate change impacts through 2070.
G. Manning commented that the Canton Public Schools Bike Program was proposed by students to promote bicycle routes to schools within the town.
Derek Shooster, MassDOT, asked if the electric Bluebikes proposals in Boston and Cambridge include adaptive bicycles within their scope to accommodate people with disabilities.
Jim Nee, MWRTA, commented that the CatchConnect Microtransit Program currently costs approximately $20 per passenger trip and has had success in previous trials.
19. LRTP Draft Universe of Roadway Projects (pdf)
20. LRTP Draft Universe of Roadway Projects (html)
M. Scott presented projects included in the draft universe of LRTP roadway projects. Included projects meet criteria for being included in the LRTP based on MPO policies adopted in October 2020 and clarified in January 2023.
The draft universe contains 13 MPO-funded projects from Destination 2040, where six projects are advertised or under construction, the Green Line Extension Phase 1 is now in service, four projects are programmed in the FFYs 2023–27 TIP, and two projects not yet programmed in the TIP. Destination 2040 also contains five non-MPO-funded projects, where one project is complete, and two projects are programmed in the FFYs 2023–27 TIP.
There are six projects relevant to the LRTP programmed in the FFYs 2023–27 TIP. The McGrath Boulevard Construction in Somerville is expected to be programmed in FFYs 2027–30. The Bridge Replacement, Route 27 (North Main Street) over Route 9 in Natick is expected to be programmed in FFY 2024. The Intersection Improvements at Route 1 and University Avenue/Everett Street in Norwood is expected to be programmed in FFYs 2025–26. The Reconstruction of Rutherford Avenue in Boston is expected to be programmed in FFYs 2028–31. The Construction of Interstate 495/Route 1A Ramps in Wrentham is expected to be programmed in FFY 2024. The Reconstruction of Interstate 495 and Interstate 90 Interchange in Hopkinton and Westborough is expected to be programmed in FFYs 2023–27.
M. Scott reviewed projects that have been approved by MassDOT’s Project Review Committee (PRC) and appear to meet criteria to be included in the LRTP. Route 126/Route 135 Grade Crossing Project in Framingham, which appears in Destination 2040 is included in these projects.
M. Scott reviewed projects that appear to meet LRTP inclusion criteria that have not been approved by the PRC and are still conceptual in nature. The Bedford/Hartwell Complete Streets Project in Lexington, which appears in Destination 2040, is included in these projects.
Next steps for the development of Destination 2050 include reviewing the universe of transit projects, reviewing updates of project status in Destination 2040, scoring projects based on LRTP criteria, sizing investment programs, and selecting LRTP projects.
There were none.
A motion to adjourn was made by the MAPC (E. Bourassa) and seconded by the Regional Transportation Advisory Council (L. Diggins). 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) |
|
|
At-Large Town (Town of Brookline) |
|
|
City of Boston (Boston Planning &
Development Agency) |
Jim Fitzgerald |
|
City of Boston (Boston Transportation
Department) |
Bill Conroy |
|
Federal Highway Administration |
Kenneth Miller Cassandra Ostrander |
|
Federal Transit Administration |
|
|
Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville) |
Tom Bent Brad Rawson |
|
Massachusetts Department of Transportation |
David Mohler John Bechard |
|
MassDOT Highway Division |
John Romano |
|
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
(MBTA) |
Ali Kleyman |
|
Massachusetts Port Authority |
Sarah Lee |
|
MBTA Advisory Board |
Brian Kane Amira Patterson |
|
Metropolitan Area Planning Council |
Eric Bourassa |
|
MetroWest Regional Collaborative (City of
Framingham) |
Dennis Giombetti |
|
Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal
Coordination (Town of Acton) |
|
|
North Shore Task Force (City of Beverly) |
Darlene Wynne |
|
North Suburban Planning Council (Town of Burlington) |
|
|
Regional Transportation Advisory Council |
Lenard Diggins |
|
South Shore Coalition (Town of Hull) |
|
|
South West Advisory
Planning Committee (Town of Medway) |
|
|
Three Rivers Interlocal Council (Town of
Norwood/Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce) |
Tom O’Rourke Steve Olanoff |
|
Other
Attendees |
Affiliation |
|
John Alessi |
City
of Malden |
|
Sarah Bradbury |
MassDOT
District 3 |
|
Miranda Briseńo |
MassDOT |
|
Paul Cobuzzi |
|
|
Danielle DeMarco |
Campanelli Company |
|
Trish Domigan |
VHB |
|
Paula Doucette |
|
|
Janie Dretler |
Sudbury
Select Board |
|
Jen Ducey |
Stantec |
|
Karen Dumaine |
Neponset
Valley TMA |
|
Daniel Fitch |
|
|
Nicole Freedman |
|
|
Cindy Frené |
|
|
Pamela Haznar |
|
|
Michelle Ho |
MassDOT
OTP |
|
Juan Huicochea Mason |
|
|
Amy Ingles |
|
|
Gin |
|
|
Para Jayasinghe |
Boston
Public Works Department |
|
Sandy Johnston |
MBTA |
|
Josh Klingenstein |
MBTA |
|
Todd Korchin |
|
|
Raissah Kouame |
|
|
Derek Krevat |
MassDOT
OTP |
|
Josh Levin |
MassDOT
District 4 |
|
Owen MacDonald |
Town
of Weymouth |
|
Gene Manning |
Town
of Canton |
|
Yadira Martinez |
Boston
Mutual Life Insurance Company |
|
Brian McCusker |
Point32Health |
|
Stephanie Monaco |
|
|
Benjamin Muller |
MassDOT
District 6 |
|
Jim Nee |
MetroWest
Regional Transit Authority |
|
Linda Orel |
The
Trustees |
|
Josh Ostroff |
Town
of Newton Planning Department |
|
Sheila Page |
Town of
Lexington |
|
Jesse Riedle |
Town
of Bellingham Department of Public Works |
|
Claire Rundelli |
Natick
Conservation Agent |
|
Cheryll-Ann Senior |
MassDOT
District 5 |
|
Derek Shooster |
MassDOT
OTP |
|
Erin Stevens |
|
|
Tyler Terrasi |
MetroWest
Regional Transit Authority |
|
George Thiel |
|
|
Frank Ventimiglia |
Town
of Ipswich Department of Public Works |
|
Andrew Wang |
MassDOT
OTP |
|
MPO
Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff |
|
Tegin Teich, Executive Director |
|
Silva Ayvazyan |
|
Logan Casey |
|
Jonathan Church |
|
Annette Demchur |
|
Hiral Gandhi |
|
Betsy Harvey |
|
Stella Jordan |
|
Heyne Kim |
|
Ethan Lapointe |
|
Erin Maguire |
|
Marty Milkovits |
|
Rebecca Morgan |
|
Gina Perille |
|
Bradley Putnam |
|
Sean Rourke |
|
Michelle Scott |
|
Judy Taylor |
|
Sam Taylor |
|
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 By Telephone: For people with hearing or speaking difficulties, connect through the
state MassRelay service: · Relay Using TTY or Hearing Carry-over: 800.439.2370 · Relay Using Voice Carry-over: 866.887.6619 · Relay Using Text to Speech: 866.645.9870 For more information, including numbers for Spanish
speakers, visit https://www.mass.gov/massrelay. |