MINUTES
MassDOT BOARD MEETING OFNOVEMBER 7, 2012
At the call of the Chair, a Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation was held at the State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, MassDOT Board Room, Suite 3830, Boston, MA on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
There were present: Messrs. Jenkins, Davey, Bonfiglio, Macdonald, Whittle and Miss Loux, being a quorum of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Also present were Acting General Manager and Rail and Transit Administrator Davis, Frank DePaola, Administrator of the Highway Division, Rachel Kaprielian, Administrator of the RMV Division, Christopher Willenborg, Administrator of the Aeronautics Division, Owen Kane, Senior Counsel to the Board, and Paula Fallon, Recording Secretary.
The Chairman, Mr. Jenkins, presided.
Chairman Jenkins called the Open Meeting to Orderand presented the order of business.
Chairman Jenkins opened up the meeting for public comment.
The first three speakers wereRenee Mardones, Marjorie Dolorey and Luis Perrone from the T Riders Union. They had several items to report to the Board. He talked about many issues they are facing in the community, including Route 112 in Chelsea bus service improvements, and there was a brief presentation on stopping the attack to seniors.
The next speaker was Marilyn MacNab. Ms. MacNab wanted to voice her concerns over the privacy issues surrounding the collection of information with the new In Person Assessment vendors. She asked that they be required to sign a confidentiality statement and to ensure that the records are securely stored and maintained.
The next speaker is Steven Kaiser from the Association of Cambridge Neighborhood. Mr. Kaiser asked that MassDOT make sure that what happened in New York with the flooding of tunnels does not happen here. He would like us to think about being prepared if that would happen to us.
Next Secretary gave his report. The Secretary noted the disastrous results in New York and New Jersey from Hurricane Sandy. He stated that although we were not as bad off we still felt the effects of the storms power. After spending a majority of the storm seeing first hand the level of cooperation and coordination among many agencies and staff there is no doubt in my mind that the willingness to help out on the part of everyone at the MBTA and MassDOT helped the entire Commonwealth get through this storm a little bit easier. The Secretary also announced Mary Geary and Dan Maguire as this months winners for employee recognition. He also updated the Board on the CSX Agreement that was finalized in October and the Small Bottleneck Program. (Report Attached)
Next Frank DePaola, Administrator of Mass Highway gave his report. Mr. DePaola gave an update on the Patrol Surge on Route 24 and the success of the program. He also gave an update on the Hudson Bridge. He announced that the Neponset Bridge and the Route 53 Bridge would be opening. Lastly he announced the groundbreaking for the Fore River Bridge would be this Friday.
Next Rachael Kaprielian, Registrar of the Registry of Motor Vehicles gave her report. She discussed the dashboard and noted that wait times were up in because they have been dealing with some staffing shortages. She gave an update on the School Bus Inspections noting that most of the issues are what are failing. The road tests are booking out by 9 weeks. The Registry noted that the ALARS contract will be going to the November 27th Finance meeting and for Board approval in December. She gave an update on the data purge and the SOA strategy to get everyone on board. Chairman Jenkins asked if we should be doing more outreach for the public. The Registrar stated that they are continually doing updates working with the MBTA and MassDOT Highway message boards.
Next Chris Willenborg, Administrator of Mass Aeronautics began his presentation by giving an update on the FAA Grant for the pavement study. He noted that this will be the first time they have a tool to monitor pavement. He announced that last month the Real World Design Competition came out with its project to create an unmanned aerial vehicle that can conduct search and rescue. On November 4, 2012 the Humanitarian Airlift sent food and supplies to those in need after Hurricane Sandy to Long Island. He ended with announcing that on November 13th and 14th the annual conference will be held at Hyannis in Cape Cod Hotel.
Director Loux wanted to recognize Mr. Davis before he gave his report. She said that over her years on the Board she has grown to admire his depth and knowledge. She commends you for standing up and serving when needed as Acting General Manager. She added that he is an amazing man and an amazing leader. Director Macdonald added that Mr. Davis was a phenomenal leader for MassDOT and for public employees.
Next Jon Davis gave his report for the Rail and Transit Division (attached). Chairman Jenkins asked to get an invite to the Talbot Avenue opening. He asked how the things were with the locomotives. Mr. Davis answered that things are going well and he thinks his visit there helped send the message that we are series.
The next item on the agenda is the update on the RIDE’s In Person Assessment presented by Melissa Dullea. Ms. Dullea gave an update on where we were with the process. She noted that a place has been chosen that is accessible to all three of our RIDE vendors in Charlestown it will be named The Ride Eligibility Center (TREC). They expect that most clients will take the free ride trip to their interview.They will now have a photo ID related to the process although they are still deciding on whether or not it will be a Charlie Card. They are looking for a start date in December. Director Macdonald asked if the RIDE accepts personal care attendants. Ms. Dullea answered that PCA’s ride for free where a leisure attendant has to pay a fee. Director Whittle stated that is an encouraging report. The Secretary added that with the new in person assessment it will allow us to standardize our application process making it more efficient with less of a wait time for approval. He also noted that this process if successful could be implemented statewide. Ms. Dullea stated that we would love to be the standard and it could be a benchmark for everyone to use.
The next item on the agenda is the order of taking to acquire an 818 square foot parcel of land in fee from the Town of Acton presented by Mark Boyle. Mr. Boyle asked that the Board approve this taking noting that the Town of Acton is on board with this taking noting the letter from the town. Director Loux asked if there are any outstanding permitting issues. Mr. Boyle stated that there isn’t any.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously;
VOTED: MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
ORDER OF TAKING MBTA No. 670
TOWN OF ACTON
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
WHEREAS: The Board of Directors of MassDOT who govern the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority ("MBTA"), a body politic and corporate and a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts established by General Laws, Chapter 161A, deem it necessary for the purpose of providing and extending mass transportation in said Commonwealth and for the purpose of performing such other work as may be necessary in connection therewith, under the power granted to the MBTA by General Laws, Chapter 161A, Section 3 (o), and in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 79, to take for and on behalf of the MBTA a certain parcel of land or interests in land in the Town of Acton, Middlesex County, in said Commonwealth.
AND WHEREAS, the said Board of Directors deem it necessary for such purposes to take certain interests in land located in Acton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and described as follows:
Parcel Taken in Fee
For Title Reference
ParcelSquare Feet+ Book Page
FBL – 98181294338
12974673
The aforementioned parcel is shown on a plan entitled "Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Improvement Project Contract No. G67PS01, Land Acquisition Plan, Town of Acton, Middlesex County”, dated 10/5/12, as prepared by Bryant Associates, Inc., Sheet 1 of 1, recorded herewith.
WHEREFORE VOTED:
- That the parcel of land with the trees and structures thereon in Section A of this Order of Taking be and hereby is taken in fee for the purpose of constructing, operating and maintaining South Acton Station, by the Board of Directors on behalf of the MBTA under the power granted said MBTA by General Laws, Chapter 161A, Section 3(o) and Chapter 79, and by virtue of every other power said MBTA hereto enabling.
- For damages sustained by reason of the aforesaid taking by persons in the properties listed below, and in accordance with the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 79, Section 6, as amended, no award of damages will be made.
ParcelSupposed Owner
FBL – 9Town of Acton
Secretary Davey left for the next item.
The next item on the agenda is the request to extend the current Commuter Rail Contract. This item is being presented by Brad Kessler. Chairman Jenkins asked what the timetable is if there was a nine month extension. Mr. Kessler stated that they are planning six months for mobilization. MR. Davis stated that under the current schedule they would bring a selection to the Board in August and then begin mobilization but it is still uncertain. Chairman Jenkins asked how much time it took to mobilize last time. Mr. Davis answered about six months. Director Loux asked for a list of what the bidders are saying and asking. She stated that she doesn’t feel comfortable voting on this subject until she has that information. She noted that this process should have started a long time ago. She made a motion to table.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted not to table four to one. Discussion continued about the timeline. It was decided that they need to see a timeline and also get the information that Director Loux requested. Chairman Jenkins asked for a motion to table.
On motion, duly made and seconded it was unanimously;
VOTED: To Table the Commuter Rail Extension.
On motion, duly made and seconded it was unanimously;
VOTED: to adjourn.
Documents relied on in meeting:
Minutes for August 8 and September 12, 2012
Commuter Rail Staff Summary
Order of Taking in Acton Staff Summary
1