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4. Advisory Board Meeting - April 26, 2022

METROWEST REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Public Transportation System

15 Blandin Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702

Ph. (508) 935 2222 • Fax (508) 935 2225 • www.mwrta.com

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of April 26, 2022

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) Advisory Board met on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 9:00 AM at the call of Ed Burman/Ashland-Vice Chair. Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was held virtually, with Advisory Board members and the public provided access via global.gotomeeting.com.

A roll call of members present was conducted, in attendance were: Ed Burman/Ashland-Vice Chair, Kevin McCabe/Dover, Mike Tusino/Framingham, Linda Marshall/Holliston, Trish Pope/Marlborough, Michael Walsh/Milford, Josh Ostroff/Natick, Deb Galloway/Sudbury -Clerk, Colette Aufranc/Wellesley, and Jean MacQuiddy/Weston

Also participating: Ed Carr/Administrator, Eva Willens/Deputy Administrator, Patrick Moynihan/ General Counsel, John Glynn/CFO, Linda Murtagh/Executive Assist-HR Manager, Joy Glynn/ Grants Manager, Tyler Terrasi/Grants Support Coordinator Paula Doucette/ Financial Assistant, Emily Van Dewoestine/Director of Fixed Route, Intermodal, & Marketing, Chase Modestow/ Coordinator of Business Communications & Development, and Jon Fetherston/Manager of Travel Training & Community Relations

Not participating: Joseph Nolan/Wayland- Chair, Carole Mullen/Hopedale, Mary Jo Lafreniere/Hopkinton., Kristina Johnson/Hudson, Robert Wolff/Sherborn, and Martin Healey/Southborough

With a quorum declared present, the meeting was called to order at 9:05 AM with Mr. Burman, Vice Chair, presiding.

Minutes of Previous Meetings January 31, 2022 and March 17, 2022:

A motion was made by Mr. Ostroff of Natick: To approve minutes from the Advisory Board Meeting of January 31, 2022, and March 17, 2022. Second Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley: Approved by majority roll call vote. Dover, Marlborough, and Milford abstained

Public Comment:

Mr. Burman of Ashland requested any public comments from the audience. No public comments were presented.

Ratification of Administrator Recommendation for External Auditor:

The vote was tabled, pending the Finance & Audit Committee's completion of the evaluation process and recommendation to the Administrator.

Ms. Aufranc stated that there were five proposals received in response to the RFP, and three finalists were selected and interviewed. The Committee and the Administrator will finalize the process within the next 5- 10 days. A special meeting of the Advisory Board will then be called for ratification of the selected audit firm.

Board Approval of Preliminary FY23 Budget:

 

Mr. Glynn provided the Board with an overview of the Preliminary FY23 Budget. He presented an executive summary of the following major categories within the $12.8M budget: 68% of the funding is for bus services and payroll; 15.48 % for fuel and insurance; and, 3.56 % for retirement. Mr. Glynn stated that the fuel budget is based on $5.00 per gallon, which is conservative. He also noted that the budget revenue projections anticipate the resumption of MWRTA fare collection at the beginning ofFY23.

Ms. Aufranc gave a summary of the Finance & Audit Committee meeting with Mr. Glynn in which it reviewed and discussed the preliminary budget in detail.

Mr. Ostroff mentioned that the current $94M State Contract Assistance funding might increase to $101M in FY 2023. Mr. Glynn and the Administrator stated that the preliminary budget was built on the level-funded

$94M. If the legislature were to increase the SCA line item to $10IM, it would result in an increase in SCA funding for all RTAs, including approximately $200,000 for MWRTA.

A motion was made by Ms. Au/ranee of Wellesley: To accept the preliminary draft of the FY23 operating

budget as presented. Second by Mr. Ostroff of Natick. Approved by unanimous roll call vote.

Discussion of Board FY23 Reorganization:

In accordance with the MWRTA By-Laws, the Advisory Board is required to reorganize and elect its board officers at the last regularly scheduled meeting of the fiscal year. The Administrator, at the request of Chair Nolan, who was absent from the meeting, stated that the Chair welcomes nominations for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, and Clerk, and that anyone interested in serving in any of those capacities should contact the Chair prior to the June meeting. Mr. Burman indicated that he would like to stay on as Vice Chair.

Board Member Comments:

Mr. Ostroff inquired as to MWRTA efforts in workforce recruitment and retention, particularly for drivers, and suggested a presentation on the subject at a future meeting of the Board.

Mr. Carr commented that there is a continuing effort in this regard by both MWRTA and our operator KTI, and that additional funding is the obvious enticement for the recruitment and retention to the workforce.

KTI has expressed its serious concerns with respect to the industry-wide driver shortage problem and has explored various options with the Authority to try to address the situation. Several transit agencies both locally and nationally have offered signing bonuses for drivers. The MBTA recently introduced a $4000 incentive payment for all new drivers. Mr. Carr noted that it is difficult for the Authority to compete with that recruitment program, and additional funding to implement this and other incentive measures would be necessary in the budget.

Administrator's Comments:

Supply chain issues in obtaining fare cards and other fare collection equipment is impacting the resumption of collecting fares on May 2, 2022. Not wishing to partially implement the fare program, a July timeframe seems more reasonable. As previously noted fare revenue is anticipated within the FY23 budget.

The Administrator Search Committee continues its efforts with the consultant in identifying a quality candidate for the Advisory Board's consideration in the coming weeks.

Mr. Carr also welcomed Kevin McCabe, the new advisory board member from Dover.

Next Advisory Board Meeting: To be determined.

Adiourn:

A motion was made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley: To adjourn the meeting. Second Mr. Walsh of Milford:

The vote was unanimous.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 am.

Certificate

 

The undersigned being the duly qualified acting clerk of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board acknowledges that the foregoing minutes accurately reflect the actions taken at a legally convened meeting of the Advisory Board held on April 26, 2022.

Deb Galloway of Sudbury, Clerk

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