Legislature Passes $11.3 Billion Transportation and Infrastructure Bill

The Legislature's final version of the transportation bond bill, which was released from conference committee on Saturday, was enacted by both the House and Senate on Sunday. It authorizes over $11.3 billion for transportation and infrastructure projects, including $400 million for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to address ongoing safety concerns identified by the Federal Transit Administration's Safety Management Inspection and $275 million for the East-West passenger rail project.

"Not only does this bill fund much-needed transportation repairs for all modes and communities, but it also goes much further to invest in infrastructure that is more modern, environmentally sustainable, and regionally equitable," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The support for electric vehicles, regional transportation authorities, MBTA safety investments, low-income fares on public transit, expanded East-West connectivity, and many other initiatives in this bill will benefit residents, visitors and businesses throughout Massachusetts. I want to thank Senator Crighton for quickly and adeptly taking on the role of Transportation Chair and for collaborating with Senators Rodrigues and Collins as well as so many Senators to produce this comprehensive legislation."

"I'm incredibly proud of the work done by the Legislature to ensure that several of the Commonwealth's most vital transportation infrastructure projects are sufficiently funded," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "As the MBTA continues to address ongoing safety concerns, and as the East-West passenger rail project begins, this package demonstrates the Legislature's commitment to investing in these meaningful efforts, and to continuing support for other improvements to roads and bridges across Massachusetts. I want to thank Chairman Straus and the conferees, my colleagues in the House, as well as Senate President Spilka and our partners in the Senate, for the hard work that ultimately facilitated the passage of this legislation."

"This transportation bond bill provides Massachusetts with the key to unlock once-in-a-generation federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. "With these combined state and federal investments, we will be able to complete vital work on our highways, roads, bridges, and public transportation systems, improving mobility for all residents of the Commonwealth."

"With the acceptance of the conference report, the House once again affirmed its dedication to meeting the transportation and infrastructure needs of the commonwealth," said Representative William M. Straus (D-Mattapoisett), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. "This generational opportunity provides needed investments toward a more unified and resilient transportation system."

Other highlights of the bill include:

• $3,500,000,000 for projects funded with discretionary federal grant funds, including funds from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
• $2,812,457,157 for projects on the interstate and non-interstate federal highway system
• $1,375,000,000 for sustainable transit system modernization and rail improvements
• $1,270,000,000 for non-federally aided roadway and bridge projects and for the non-participating portion of federally aided projects
• $145,000,000 for multi-modal transportation planning and programming
• $114,100,000 for the Airport Improvement Program
• $85,000,000 for pavement and surface conditions on non-federally aided roadways
• $82,000,000 for rail improvements
• $64,900,000 for projects of regional transit networks and facilities
• $25,501,000 for the Mobility Assistance Program
• $25,000,000 for pavement and surface conditions on municipal roadways
• $25,000,000 for grants to Transportation Management Associations
• $20,000,000 for grants to municipalities under the Complete Streets Funding Program
• $10,000,000 for a public realm improvement program

To promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), the bill also includes $175 million for the development and implementation of programs to promote, establish or expand public electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the development and implementation of incentive programs promoting e-bikes and public transportation, replacement of high-emissions vehicles, electric vehicles for hire and carsharing, electric school buses, electric short-haul freight and delivery trucks, and for other pilot projects that focus on equity and inclusion while reducing emissions.

"This legislation is a significant commitment to meeting our Commonwealth's most pressing transportation and climate challenges," said Senator Nick Collins (D-Boston), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. "Most importantly, it does so while demonstrating that through smart fiscal policy, we can invest in our future while continuing to make Massachusetts a good place to do business. I would like to thank Senate President Spilka for appointing me to the conference committee and thank my colleagues who came together to produce this important compromise."

"I am grateful to the Speaker for his leadership on this critical legislation which will fund generational change for our Commonwealth's roads, bridges and transit infrastructure," said Representative Danielle W. Gregoire (D-Marlborough), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. "Having played a role in this process since President Biden's announcement of the Build Back Better plan, I am confident that the concerns of all of our colleagues and their constituents are being addressed in this unprecedented bond authorization".

The bill makes significant reforms to address the severe safety concerns around the MBTA. The bill mandates the MBTA to establish and maintain a three-year safety improvement plan with measurable safety objectives for the agency, and it directs the MBTA to contract with an independent third-party auditor to conduct annual safety audits. To ensure transparency around the MBTA's safety, the bill directs the MBTA to submit a monthly, publicly available report containing all the incidents, accidents, casualties, and hazards affecting any of its modes of transit. In addition, the MBTA is required to develop and implement short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans for how each line of the commuter rail system can be fully integrated into the Commonwealth's transportation system and contribute to the productivity, equity, and decarbonization efforts of the MBTA as a whole.

Other policy provisions related to the MBTA include requiring the authority to provide parking alternatives to commuters when it demolishes or reconstructs parking lots or garages it operates; to hold a mandatory, 30-day appeal process during which the authority must confer with the municipality's planning officials to explore alternatives when there is a bus route service elimination; and to develop an updated service and operational plans for established and potential water transportation routes involving passenger ferry service.

Additionally, the bill:

• Creates a special commission on mobility pricing to investigate, study and make recommendations on the development and deployment of comprehensive and regionally equitable public transportation pricing, roadway pricing and congestion pricing.
• Creates a commission to investigate and receive public testimony concerning public entities with the ability to design, permit, construct, operate and maintain passenger rail service that meets the standards of at least one of the final alternatives set forth in the East-West Passenger Rail Study Final Report.
• Regulates the use of e-bikes to encourage their adoption and authorizes municipalities and the state to adopt ordinances or regulations concerning the use of such e-bikes on bike paths and bikeways.
• Requires transportation network companies to submit data related to pre-arranged rides for the purposes of congestion management.
• Requires MassDOT, in consultation with the comptroller, to create a website to report on expenditures from this act and any project receiving federal funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
• Requires MassDOT, in consultation with the Executive Office Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA), to study the feasibility of wildlife crossing projects for the purpose of establishing and maintaining these projects.
• Authorizes the MassDOT to create positions and hire staff for the purpose of conducting research and policy analysis for the MBTA board of directors.

"The transportation infrastructure bond bill positions the Commonwealth to be able to repair, maintain, and modernize our roadways and public transit system," said Senator Patrick M. O'Connor (R-Weymouth). "Additionally, language in this bill will allow Massachusetts to go after more federal dollars to build on the investments we are making today. I was proud to serve on the Conference Committee alongside my colleagues and I am looking forward to seeing these investments pay dividends in the years to come."

"The priority investments provided for in this bill are a critical first step in the process of providing safe, reliable and efficient transportation systems for the residents of the Commonwealth," said Representative Norman J. Orrall (R-Lakeville).

This legislation now heads to the Governor for further consideration.

 

Legislature Passes $11.3 Billion Transportation and Infrastructure Bill

MA Senate Passes Amendment to Create or Allow Low Income Fare Programs for Public Transit

Today (07/14/22), the Massachusetts State Senate passed an amendment in the transportation bond bill, Senate Bill 2989, which directs the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and allows Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) across the Commonwealth to create a low-income fare program.

 

The amendment adopted by the Senate directs the MBTA to create a low-income fare program through an in-depth implementation study that would engage stakeholders at all levels, ensuring a fair and financially sound program. Additionally, it opens the door for RTAs to create their own low-income fare programs, with either discounted or free transit rides for qualifying residents.

 

“We’re trying this again because it’s the right thing to do, we’re trying this again because so many seniors, people with disabilities and working families depend on Public Transit,” stated Senator Lydia Edwards (D-Boston), the sponsor of the amendment. “People with the least amount of money need public transit the most. They depend on it to get to work, to get to college, to doctors appointments, and to bring their children to school or day care. Thank you, Senate President Spilka, for your leadership on the Low-Income Fare program amendment.”

 

“Rising inflation and costs hurt low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities in particular, many of whom already struggle bring home the income necessary to house and feed their families,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Public transit is a lifeline for so many working families in the Commonwealth, who use it to get to work, school, and to bring children to childcare. I’m proud of the Senate for once again supporting this important initiative.”

 

"Low-income fares on the MBTA and RTAs are essential to provide affordable and equitable public transit,” stated Josh Ostroff, Interim Director of the Transportation for Massachusetts coalition. “Thank you to the Senate, particularly Senate President Spilka, Senators Crighton and Edwards, for their leadership on this issue that will lower costs for thousands of residents across the Commonwealth.”

 

"Many Massachusetts families are struggling with the burden of transit costs,” stated Stacy Thompson, Executive Director of LivableStreets. “A low-income fare program will make our public transit system more accessible and equitable, helping our whole Commonwealth to address climate change and traffic congestion, and promote racial justice. We applaud the Senate’s leadership in advancing this critical policy.”

 

“We applaud the Senate for requiring that the MBTA create a means-tested fare program,” stated Paul Broduer, Mayor of Melrose and Vice Chair of the Metro Mayors Coalition. “Low-income residents throughout the region rely on public transportation to access jobs, school, and other essential services. We saw this firsthand in the early months of the pandemic, when our busiest bus routes remained crowded with essential workers on their way to jobs that couldn't be done remotely. This program will increase transit access for people who need it most."

 

“We are encouraged by the Senate’s move to adopt low-income fare at the MBTA through Amendment 7 to S.2989,” stated Michael Vartabedian, Co-chair, Public Transit Pubic Good coalition, and Assistant Directing Business Representative, District 15 IAMAW. “We thank Senator Edwards and co-sponsors, as well as Senate President Spilka and leadership for championing this popular and urgent policy, which would put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income families who rely on the MBTA. Today’s vote gives us hope that this measure will be swiftly passed by the Legislature, and we urge Governor Baker to sign it into law.”

 

“We need a fully funded MBTA that serves all of our residents,” stated Brian Arrigo, Mayor of Revere, a member of the Metro Mayors Coalition. “This program will make the T accessible to our lowest-income riders and help ensure fairness and equity in our transit system.”

 

"Thank you to the Senate for including a low-income fare program in the transportation bond bill and to Senator Edwards & Senator Crighton for seeing this amendment through,” stated Sam Montaño, Director of Organizing at GreenRoots. “We desperately need a fare policy that uplifts working families across the state. It's time that our public transit system starts working for those most impacted by the burden of transit costs."

Last year, both the House and Senate approved a low-income fare program in the transportation bond bill, but both the provision and the funding were vetoed by Governor Baker. Having been passed by the Senate as part of the latest transportation bond bill, the provision now goes to conference committee for that bill.

The legislation doc can be found -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2989

MA Senate Passes Amendment to Create or Allow Low Income Fare Programs for Public Transit

Senate President Spilka's Boston Chamber Remarks as Prepared for Delivery - June 21, 2022

It is a great honor to speak with you today. As the Senate heads into the final month of formal sessions, we are poised to try to tackle some of the big issues facing the people of the Commonwealth, and I am feeling optimistic about what we have accomplished and what I believe we can accomplish by working with our partners in the House and the Baker Administration.

Just last week, the Legislature sent the Governor a conference committee VOTES Act, designed to increase voting access by enacting vote-by-mail and expanded early-voting options, widely used in the 2020 election, on a permanent basis. It was my hope that this legislation would include same-day voter registration. Although we couldn’t reach a compromise on this provision, I will continue to advocate for its adoption, as so many Senators remain in favor of this provision.

We also recently passed our Fiscal Year 2023 budget, in which the Senate prioritized workforce development so that employers have access to a larger pool of local talent to hire and partner with. Together with our first ARPA allocation, we have made historic investments in the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Adult Basic Education, our cybersecurity workforce in partnership with our public community colleges and universities, as we in the Legislature believe the Commonwealth can and should be a leader in cybersecurity, because we see it as a natural priority, and organizations working with people displaced from jobs during the pandemic, historically underserved populations, and individuals reentering their communities from the corrections system.

Finally, despite our current economic uncertainty and all our recent investments in our people, the Commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund has never been higher. As Ways & Means Chair and now as Senate President, it has been my priority to grow our rainy day fund, and I’m proud to say that it’s now over $6 billion. So when we need it next, we’ll be prepared.

As for the Student Opportunity Act, many of you know that I ran for the Legislature on this issue, because I wanted to achieve real transformative change for all of our students. That’s why I’m proud that, in our recent budget, we invest a record $6 billion in Massachusetts public K-12 schools, thereby providing students with high quality educational opportunities while addressing pandemic costs—and keeping us on track to fulfill the promise of the Student Opportunity Act in seven years.

We also doubled the increase in the amount of local aid to cities and towns, to $1.2 billion, and invested over $900 million in increased funding towards housing stability and assistance to those living with homelessness. The measures we’re taking, including subsidizing rents and the cost of moving, provide concrete help to individuals and families experiencing housing instability while preventing costs from being passed on to local landlords.

As we continue to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we ensure that the Commonwealth not only maintains but grows its economic vitality while ensuring the wonderful quality of life we aspire to here. And as we rethink the way that we work, our priorities in a post-COVID world, and grapple with economic realities in an inflationary environment, it’s clear that there are aspects of our economy and our society that just aren’t serving us well anymore.

When it comes to both early education and care, and mental and behavioral health, it seems as if we are still trying to exist in a post World War II structure, where men were assumed to be the primary breadwinners and no one talks about their feelings. But think of everything we have achieved since then—not only have we put a man on the moon, we now carry tiny powerful computers in our pockets. We’ve passed marriage equality, and we’ve made great strides in rights for women, our trans brothers and sisters, and immigrants—and we continue to work towards a more just and equitable Commonwealth for all.

Much of the technology used to propel our world forward—and the groundbreaking social policy used to propel our society forward—was invented right here in Massachusetts. Yet our antiquated beliefs about child care and mental health—and the systems we’ve built to support them—are dragging us down, and need to be urgently addressed if we are to remain economically competitive.

Take early education and care. Before the pandemic, women in Massachusetts were participating in the workforce at increasing rates, surpassing the national rate by 2019—but the pandemic has brought women back to where they were after the 2009 recession. In fact, the percentage of women participating in the U.S. labor market in October 2020 was the lowest since 1988. And while a February 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that men have now recouped all their labor force losses since February 2020, over 1 million fewer women were in the labor force in January 2022 as compared to February 2020. Given how many women either need to work or prefer to work, this reflects an unsustainable trend.

But a lack of affordable early education and care options dampens the economy in other ways too.

According to a recent news article, parents of a four-year-old in Massachusetts can expect to pay 27 per cent of a typical family’s wages on child care—the highest percentage of any state in the U.S. except for Hawaii. In fact, the Economic Policy institute has pointed out that childcare workers themselves cannot afford childcare – because the cost of childcare in Massachusetts is more than 75 percent of the wages earned by a typical childcare worker, which is truly outrageous.

And so I’m proud to report that the Senate is tackling this issue from many different angles—and I’m also excited that there is action in the Legislature to address this important issue this session.

In our Fiscal Year 2021 budget, we created a Special Legislative Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission. That commission submitted its final report in March 2022, and included some pragmatic recommendations for the Legislature in the areas of stabilization, family affordability and access; and workforce compensation.

I’m excited to announce that the Senate will be releasing a bill shortly. This legislation, if and when it is fully implemented, will be transformative in expanding access to high quality, sustainable, and affordable early education and care for young children and families in Massachusetts. It also recognizes that our workforce needs significant supports, through salary, and education and training.

To provide a crucial down payment on our efforts to shore up childcare and early education, the Fiscal Year 2023 Senate budget invests a record $1.13B to transform the childcare system, an increase of $309.6M over FY 2022. The Senate budget also formalizes the practice of reimbursing providers based on enrollment rather than attendance, which will provide more stable payments for our early educators. We also dedicate a new $250M to continue the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Stabilization Grant Program through at least the end of the calendar year. We believe that the C3 grants provide the bedrock funding necessary for the continued development of this sector. And, in recognizing that we need to do more for all our providers, particularly subsidized providers, we are putting this provision in our budget to demonstrate the Senate’s commitment to funding this year after year.

I’m optimistic our House colleagues will support these critical infrastructure investments.

With implementation of the SOA well underway, I believe that it’s time to turn our attention to early ed and care—and pursue the same type of transformational change in a multi-year process. The business community has been at the table on the early education and childcare issue – and we need you to stay. With your support, we can continue to shore up our childcare and early education infrastructure to better serve our businesses, our communities, our families, and most importantly, our children.

Another area where we can’t let the systems of the past impinge on our future is mental health.

I’d like to start by saying how grateful I am to Speaker Ron Mariano, Chair Adrian Madaro, and the entire House for passing their version of the Mental Health ABC Act 2.0 last week. I am extremely hopeful that we will finally get a comprehensive reform bill done this session, and it can’t come soon enough.

 

In this post-pandemic, inflationary environment, the stress of finding childcare, putting food on the table, and keeping a roof over your head is detrimental to our overall wellbeing, and yet our mental health care system remains broken, disrupting both people’s lives and our economy.

According to the Lancet, poor mental health was estimated to cost the world economy approximately $2.5 trillion per year in poor health and reduced productivity in 2010, and—in part due to the effects of the pandemic—that cost is projected to more than double to $6 trillion by 2030.

So, investing in mental and behavioral health makes good sense all around. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, for every $1 put into scaled up treatment for common mental disorders, there is a return of $4 in improved health and productivity.

That’s why, for Fiscal Year 2023, the Senate budget includes over $1B for mental health supports. These investments are paired with $400M from the American Rescue Plan Act legislation, primarily focused on building and sustaining this much- needed workforce.

Just two weeks ago, I attended the commencement ceremony at William James College, where they are intentionally working to foster a new generation of diverse mental and behavioral health professionals who can help us build the future when it comes to mental health access and care.

The Senate also included funding for a mental health clinician loan forgiveness program, a student telebehavioral health program and a public awareness campaign, and $15M in capacity-building initiatives to tackle the heartbreaking reality of emergency department boarding, along with an additional $100M plus to provide tools to sustain momentum around increased SEL supports, children mental health supports, and to Family Resource Centers.

And because substance use disorder is so often the result of unmet mental health needs, the Senate also dedicates significant funding in this area, including $209.3 million for a complete range of substance use disorder treatment and intervention services to support individuals and their families.

It’s clear that the need for mental health care has risen to the top of the agenda for many, and that may be one of the very few silver linings of the pandemic. I’m proud of all the work the Senate has done to advance this critical issue—and I hope you will all join us in getting this over the finish line—and then let your employees take the time they need to access mental health care! It will truly benefit us all.

Another area where our past threatens our future is our transportation system. By now, we’ve all read about the damning Federal Transportation Authority report. If Jim were here, I know he’d have something to say about this.

As he stated in the Globe, safety concerns are a top reason why employees are hesitant to return to work—and you have to wonder, what is stopping them from looking for work elsewhere? And we all know that when employees leave, employers are often forced to follow.

It’s high time that Massachusetts has the public transportation system to match the values and aspirations of its residents, not just here in Boston but throughout the entire state. As a Commonwealth, we need to take a comprehensive look at what we have, what we want, where we're going and how we pay for it—statewide.

This is important not only to provide a top-notch transportation system, but to reach our climate goals as well. In the climate bill now in conference committee, the Senate focused on electrifying our public transportation and cars, which is essential to reaching the future we envision.

Just this morning, the Speaker and I are announcing our support for continued discussions on East-West rail, including the $50 million we included in the last transportation bond bill, with the intent to include significantly more in the upcoming one. I’m hoping that the creation of this new transportation system will open up opportunities for economic development, just as the South Coast rail and the Green Line extension have done.

But we can’t just focus on these large-scale projects at the expense of the Regional Transit Authorities that service our local communities, and that’s why the Senate added $2.5 million in our budget for RTAs for the first time to explore opportunities for means-tested, discounted or fare-free pilot programs. And although I am disappointed the Governor vetoed the Senate’s attempt to move forward on a low-income fare program at the T and the Commuter Rail last session, I am looking forward to continuing that conversation with my colleagues in the upcoming transportation bond bill currently moving through the legislature. As that bill moves, we will continue to have these important discussions on the future of transportation in our state, and I look forward to the Boston Chamber continuing to be a partner in those talks.

Finally, the Speaker and I have also announced this morning that the Joint Committee on Transportation will hold an oversight hearing on the MBTA. The Federal Transit Administration’s findings and the MBTA’s subsequent service cuts don’t inspire public confidence in our transit system. Given the FTA’s interim findings and alarming directives there is an increased need to better understand the agency’s shortcomings and help restore public confidence, and so we need to learn more so that the Legislature can help ensure the T returns to safe and reliable service.

Finally, I believe our state’s strong financial position means that the Legislature can safely balance targeted spending, in areas like housing, childcare and higher education, with tax relief for individuals and families, and other ways to put money back in people’s pocket.

Last year, the Senate converted tax deductions for young children, elderly or disabled dependents and business-related dependent care expenses into refundable tax credits. This meant an additional $16 million to 86,000 low-income working parents and caregivers, thereby helping to lift families out of poverty, and we were happy to see the Governor expand this Senate initiative in his tax relief proposal, as these are dollars that go directly back into the economy.

In addition, the very first commitment we made with funds from the American Rescue Plan was a billion-dollar investment. We put $500 million towards businesses, in the form of unemployment insurance relief, giving them more resources to hire, innovate and invest back into the economy, and $500 million to frontline workers who couldn’t telecommute and who put themselves at risk, providing $500 checks for those who can use it the most.

$500 payments were delivered to nearly 240,000 people in March in the first round of the program, and the second round is distributing $500 checks to approximately 300,000 additional workers this month—a phenomenal number.

We are currently in discussions about a tax relief proposal, which may include changes to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the estate tax, among others. We will continue to ensure that Massachusetts is open, competitive, and inclusive, and that these same values guide our tax relief proposal.

As I conclude, it is clear that we have a lot of work ahead of us. But I am, as I said, I am hopeful about the future. Everywhere I go, I see people of all backgrounds and experiences wanting to row in the same direction when it comes to what is best for our children and families, our mental health, and our economy.

And it is indeed an honor to be in a leadership position in this time, even if it is a time of unprecedented change and uncertainty.

I’d like to thank all of you for your leadership in the business community, and for caring so very much about our Commonwealth. I look forward to our continued partnership.

 

CommonWealth Magazine: "Calculating the right price for commuter rail"

"RIDERS ON THE MBTA commuter rail know that the network is significantly more expensive than the T’s local bus and subway service. It’s due for a change now.

For any trip on the Commuter Rail within I-95, local bus and subway service is often cheaper. It costs $7 to travel from Needham Heights to South Station and from Waltham to North Station. Route 59 to the Green Line in Newton? $2.40. Route 70 to the Red Line in Cambridge? $2.40.

These examples are not just anomalies within the system. The commuter rail gets proportionally more expensive closer to the Boston terminals. With the significant difference in cost, it’s clear why the commuter rail is not a popular option for many in the Greater Boston area, especially in communities closer to downtown. In 2018, Waltham saw about 500 passengers board the Fitchburg Line each day. At the Riverside Green Line station in Newton, over 1,800 passengers boarded the Green Line that same day."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/calculating-the-right-price-for-commuter-rail/

Note: for my 2 cents, pricing for commuter rail is not the only factor. Consider the cost for parking at the station, a better schedule, and reliability of on-time service as the key factors to increase ridership along with the commuter rail fare.

CommonWealth Magazine: "Calculating the right price for commuter rail"

Town Council Meeting: recognizes Roger Magalhaes; neither 7-Eleven nor Liquor World show for their Compliance Check hearings - 04/13/22 (audio)

FM #778 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 778 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin, MA Town Council meeting held on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. 

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format: members of the Town Council and Town Administration personnel were in the Council Chambers, some members of the public participated in person, some via the Zoom conference bridge, all to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

Quick recap:

Recognition: Roger Magalhaes - Recipient of The Immigrant Learning Center’s Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Award in Outstanding Business Growth

 

Alcoholic Beverages Licensees – Failure to Pass Compliance Check

Jimmy D’s LLC d/b/a Jimmy D’s - 338 Union Street - appeared properly for their hearing, and will serve their one day suspension on 4/20/22

Neither TM1 Solutions, Inc. d/b/a 7-Eleven 37380 - 664 Union Street Nor Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World - 365 West Central Street appeared for their hearings and they were continued to the next meeting May 4. .     

 

Presentation: Community Planning: DHCD Multi-Family Housing Guidelines for MBTA Communities - Bryan Taberner, Director, Planning and Community Development allows the Town of Franklin to ‘check the box’ for this requirement in order to maintain compliance with the current draft regulations for an MBTA community

 

Only item of legislation was a key one in that the easement will enable the work for the intersection of Grove and Washington Sts. 

Resolution 22-26: Acceptance of Easement of Property at 732 Washington Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-26 - Majority Vote)

 

The meeting runs about an hour and 15 hours (1:15)

The show notes contain links to the meeting agenda. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting of April 13, 2022. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-778-town-council-meeting-04-13-22

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Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_13_2022.pdf

My notes from the meeting  ->  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tjSu0nkX9nkLF7fc3WPim7NVwH2nznJr/view?usp=sharing 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit www.Franklinmatters.org   or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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Town Council recognizes Roger Magalhaes

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - April 13, 2022 - 7 PM

FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

Agenda & Meeting Packet

April 13, 2022 - 7 PM

1.     ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
a.     This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.
b.     Chair to identify members participating remotely.

2.     CITIZEN COMMENTS
a.     Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to three minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter.


3.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES - None Scheduled.

4.     PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
a.     Recognition: Roger Magalhaes - Recipient of The Immigrant Learning Center’s Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Award in Outstanding Business Growth

5.     APPOINTMENTS - None Scheduled.

6.     HEARINGS - 7:00 pm
a.     Alcoholic Beverages Licensees – Failure to Pass Compliance Check

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6a._1_memo_and_backup.pdf
i.          TM1 Solutions, Inc. d/b/a 7-Eleven 37380 - 664 Union Street
ii.          Dharma Bhakti Corporation d/b/a Liquor World - 365 West Central Street
iii.          Jimmy D’s LLC d/b/a Jimmy D’s - 338 Union Street

7.     LICENSE TRANSACTIONS - None Scheduled.

8.     PRESENTATIONS / DISCUSSION
a.     Presentation: Community Planning: DHCD Multi-Family Housing Guidelines for MBTA Communities - Bryan Taberner, Director, Planning and Community Development

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/8a._dpcd_memo_to_tc.pdf

9.     LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
a.     Resolution 22-26: Acceptance of Easement of Property at 732 Washington Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 22-26 - Majority Vote)
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/9a._22-26_acceptance_of_easement_732_washington_street.pdf

10.  TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

11.  SUBCOMMITTEE & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS
a.     Capital Budget Subcommittee
b.     Budget Subcommittee
c.      Economic Development Subcommittee

12.  FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13.  COUNCIL COMMENTS

14.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

15.  ADJOURN
 
Note:
Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

Full agenda and associated documents released for this meeting ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_april_13_2022.pdf

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - April 13, 2022 - 7 PM

Economic Development Subcommittee meeting runs out of time to review the details MAPC shared - 04/06/22 (audio)

FM #768 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 768 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio recording of the Economic Development Subcommittee meeting held on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 in the Council Chambers.  

MAPC presented a summary of the survey results which were quickly cobbled together as the survey had closed April 1. They also presented three scenarios for dealing with the MBTA community initiative and the meeting ran out of time to fully explore these ideas. (Town Council was scheduled to begin at 7 PM).

Copies of the presentation documents will be shared when available. The MAPC web page still touts completing the survey by April 1. 

The recording of the meeting runs about an hour and 15 minutes.  

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-768-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-04-06-22

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Meeting agenda doc -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/2022-04-06_edc_agenda_2.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter during the portion of the meeting I attended (approx. 10-15 mins late due to coverage of the Board of Health meeting upstairs) 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jMCegUZ6abWjrXrR-FSS81XrXRIq1D1y/view?usp=sharing 

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The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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1 of the slides shared during the meeting; copy of presentation to be shared when available