CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Transportation Planning Committee Meeting Minutes
August 25, 2011
At the CMRPC Offices, 2 Washington Square, Union Station, 2nd Fl., Worcester, MA 01604-4016
Attending:
Philip Joinville, Chairperson, Auburn
Shirley Shiver, Spencer
Charles Richard Williams, Rutland
Jeffrey Howland, New Braintree
Otto Lies, Chairperson, CMRPC
James R. Bates, Jr., Upton
Robert Hassinger, Grafton
Richard Baker, Boylston
Staff:
Lawrence B. Adams, Executive Director
Richard A. Rydant, Project Manager
Judith C. Pearson, Administrative Assistant
1. Around-the-Room Introductions
Chairperson Joinville opened the Transportation Planning Committee (T-Committee) at 6:00 P.M., noting there was a quorum present. He then asked for around-the-room introductions.
2. Approval of the Minutes of the July 28, 2011 T-Committee Meeting
Upon a motion by Charles Richard Williams, duly seconded by Jeffrey Howland, the members voted to approve the minutes of the July 28, 2011 T-Committee meeting. Ms. Shiver abstained from voting.
3. Announcements & Item s of General Interest
Mr. Rydant encourage the members view the CSX site at their leisure since construction has progressed.
4. CMMPO Business
Mr. Rydant reported that the Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (CMMPO) met on August 24, 2011 and the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) were all approved.
Review of August CMMPO Work – Approval Status of:
2012 Regional Transportation Plan
Mr. Rydant reported that based on some public comments received, the RTP will need some minor refinement; nonetheless the document was endorsed by the CMMPO. He then listed some of the comments received from the public. Mr. Rydant added that there were comments from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). He also stated that the documents had been posted on CMRPC’s website during the 30-day comment period. Regarding the Executive Summary, Mr. Rydant stated that it will compiled for the RTP. He then noted the following portions of the handout:
o CMRPC website home page noting the RTP and other MPO documents
o Final Draft RTP Document Outline
o Table E, 2012-2035 Estimated RTP Transit Funding
o Table F, Projected Expenses Associated with Transit
2012-2015 TIP
Mr. Rydant stated that the TIP was released for a 30-day public review and comment period, noting there was a fair amount of activity associated with the comment period.
He told the members that staff sent the annual project status update letter to the communities and had received correspondence from Auburn, Barre, Douglas, Dudley, Shrewsbury, Spencer, Upton, Worcester and the JMCBRVNHCC.
Mr. Rydant then discussed the 2012-2015 federally funded projects TIP, both highway and transit included in the handout which was released for public comment.
Mr. Rydant reported that the Chairperson of the CMMPO, representing the Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary, attended the CMMPO meeting on August 24, 2011 and indicated to the attendees that the State will follow-through on its commitment to improve the existing intersection of Route 146 and Boston Road in Sutton . The project will be funded entirely with non-federal aid monies. He added that the State’s commitment to the improvements was able to leverage private investment on the southeast quadrant of the intersection. With the Sutton project being funded with State monies, Mr. Rydant reported that the Worcester project, the northern East/West Arterial and the Westborough Route 9/Lyman Street projects were able to be added to the TIP. He then reviewed the reallocation of monies between HSIP, CMAQ and TEH. Regarding the Transit TIP, Mr. Rydant stated that if any of the members had questions, he suggested they contact Mary Ellen Blunt, Transportation Program Manager.
Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
Mr. Rydant stated that the UPWP was endorsed by the CMMPO for 2012 and noted that it is available on CMRPC’s website. He reported that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) had asked CMRPC to canvas other entities that are conducting transportation planning efforts in the region. Consequently, staff contacted the JHCBRVNHCC, MassDOT Planning, MassDOT District #3, Mass Aeronautics, City of Worcester, Worcester Business Development Corporation and the Worcester DPW&P.
Mr. Rydant reported that there were no comments from FHWA and MassDOT regarding the UPWP.
Mr. Bates asked if the TIP had been endorsed on August 24, 2011 at the CMMPO meeting. Mr. Rydant answered in the affirmative explaining that there was a shifting of projects that were already listed on the TIP with the lone exception of the Westborough project that was removed but was later restored.
Mr. Bates asked if the CMMPO meeting was well attended. Mr. Rydant answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Hassinger asked if what was approved was different from what went out for public comment. Mr. Rydant replied that the CMMPO made changes based on the public comments. Mr. Hassinger asked how the Commission voted. Mr. Rydant answered in the affirmative.
Public Outreach Program (POP)
Mr. Rydant noted that due to the State’s new Open Meeting Law, staff needed to make improvements and refine the existing POP, such as video taping, audio taping and special provisions for attendees.
Referring to the Route 146/Boston Road project, Mr. Bates asked about the time line for the project. Mr. Rydant stated that the design will progress over the next year and will likely be included in the 2012-2013 construction seasons. Mr. Bates then asked about the funding mechanism. Mr. Rydant answered that it is non-federal aid. Discussion followed regarding possible intersection improvements, both short term and long term solutions.
5. Other Business Updates
Environmental Consultation Process
Mr. Rydant said the Commission needs to conduct annual outreach to the environmental community that includes an inventory of the major players, their purpose, the information they can bring to the table and how they can help refine the TIP development process. He stated that staff met with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) a few weeks ago and agreed on how to set a course for the future, adding that consultation is also a requirement for the RTP. Mr. Rydant said that an inventory of regional environmental mitigation activities will be compiled. Also, he said, for the first time, there was a stand-alone regional environmental chapter in the RTP that included livability, climate change, air quality, and energy.
Mr. Rydant informed the members that specialized data layered maps are being created to aid staff in identifying environmental systems and sensitive areas around roadways and intersections.
Mr. Rydant then stated that with less funding available in the future, there will be demands as the roadways continue to deteriorate and the CMMPO will have to make difficult decisions. Limited discussion followed regarding the health effects of transportation planning.
Evacuation Planning
Mr. Rydant reported that this project is continuing and Sujatha Mohanakrishnan will be leading the effort with Homeland Security.
Institute for Energy and Sustainability Grant Application
Executive Director Adams then told the members that Institute for Energy and Sustainability (IES) grant application is a joint effort between academia, CMRPC, the City of Worcester and private companies. He reported that the CMMPO voted to become a member of the consortium with hope that it will become a mutual relationship with the region’s Transportation Policy and Programming Board .
6. Adjournment
Upon a motion by Robert Hassinger, duly seconded by Charles Richard Williams, the members unanimously voted to adjourn the August 25, 2011 T-Committee meeting at 6:59 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith C. Pearson
Administrative Assistant