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5. Advisory Board Meeting - November 14, 2022

Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of November 14, 2022

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) Advisory Board met on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 10:00 am, at 15 Blandin Avenue, Framingham, MA, at the call of Joe Nolan, Advisory Board Chair/Wayland.

A roll call of members present was conducted; in attendance were: Ed Burman/Ashland – Vice-Chair, Kevin McCabe/Dover, Mike Tusino/Framingham, Mary Jo Lafreniere/Hopkinton, Michael Walsh/Milford, Josh Ostroff/Natick, Robert Wolff/Sherborn, Joseph Nolan/Wayland – Chair, and Colette Aufranc/Wellesley.

Virtual Attendance: Carole Mullen/Hopedale, Trish Pope/Marlborough, Debra Galloway/Sudbury -Clerk, Joy Glynn/ Grants Manager, and Tyler Terrasi/Grants Support Coordinator.

Also participating: Jim Nee/Administrator, Eva Willens/Deputy Administrator, Patrick Moynihan/ General Counsel, John Glynn/CFO, Linda Murtagh/Executive Assist-HR Manager, Paula Doucette/ Financial Assistant, Emily Van Dewoestine/Director of Fixed Route, Intermodal, & Marketing, Chase Modestow/Coordinator of Business Communications & Development, Jon Fetherston/ Manager of Travel Training & Community Relations, and Daniel Fitch/IT Consultant.

Not participating: Linda Marshall/Holliston, Kristina Johnson/Hudson, Martin Healey/Southborough, and Jean MacQuiddy/Weston.

With a quorum declared present, the meeting was called to order at 10:08 AM with Mr. Nolan, Chair, presiding.

A moment of silence was held in honor of the late Paul Spooner, who had served as an ad hoc member of the board representing the disabled community.

Public Questions/Comments: No questions/comments were presented.

Approval of June 14, 2022 and June 27, 2022 Minutes:  Ms. Aufranc had one small typo the word opportunity was misspelled. 

A motion was made by Mr. Ostroff of Natick: To approve minutes from the Advisory Board Meeting of June 14, 2022 and June 27, 2022 as amended. Second Ms. Lafreniere of Hopkinton: Unanimous roll call vote.

Administrator’s Report:  Mr. Nee thanked the MWRTA staff and Advisory Board for a warm welcome and support over the past four (4) months. Mr. Nee reported to the Board on the following matters:

a.       Key Operating Metrics – (1) Ridership for September 2022 was approximately 29,000 fixed route riders throughout the entire transit system. Future operating metrics will be made more accessible to the Board and the public. The numbers, feedback from riders, Advisory Board, and the community are the key to route planning.  (2) Expenditures for the first quarter of FY 2023 equaled $2.7 million which is slightly under $3 million budgeted.

b.      Fare Collection – Fares continue to be suspended due to COVID-19.   Fare technology has been updated since COVID-19 and all hardware is on-site and being installed.  Hardware installation should be completed by the end of November.  Drivers will need to be trained and software installed.  It is anticipated that fares will be re-implemented in January 2023.  Notice will be posted at a minimum of 30 days prior to re-implementation.  MWRTA applied for and has received, a $103,000 grant from MassDOT to have a fare-free program in place through the holidays. 

c.       Renewable Energy & Grants – MWRTA is anticipating applying for a SMART grant, a newly enacted large infrastructure grant which is 100% federal funding. MWRTA plans to utilize the grant for energy generation storage on site, expansion of solar canopies, and on-site batteries for the storage of energy. FTA 5339 funding is an ongoing federal program for replacement vehicles and equipment, as well as improvements to the bus facility. The funding is coming up in the spring of 2023. Build-out addition of the rear entrance of Blandin Hub, in order to increase the much needed square footage of the contractor’s space, including meeting and office space.

Discussion: Rider Community & Disabled Commuter Board Representatives – 161B: Massachusetts General Law states that in addition to members from each city and town serviced by the authority, the Advisory Board shall include a representative of both the ridership and disabled communities. Over the years these positions have been difficult to fill. MWRTA has filed legislation in the past to change the difficult appointment requirements. The bill has stalled on Beacon Hill. Prior to the death of Paul Spooner of the Metrowest Center for Independent Living (MWCIL), he had served as the representative of the disabled community on an ad hoc basis, pending a change in the law. With Paul’s recent passing a tremendous void in this representation has occurred.  It is anticipated that the legislation seeking the required amendment to 161B to ensure consistent representation from this community will be re-filed. In the meantime, there is no such representation. After discussion, the Board indicated that contact should be made with MWCIL for a person to replace Paul Spooner on the board. It was also requested that if a member community has a candidate that qualifies for the seat, that the community member notify the Administrator for the possible appointment.

A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: To reach out to MWCIL and to seek possible member community for a representative for the disabled community. Second by Ms. Lafreniere of Hopkinton.  Unanimous roll call vote.

Discussion/Approval of Contracts: Legal Counsel gave a brief overview of the process that was followed for and salient provisions of the contracts for Deputy Administrator/Chief Operating Officer and the insurance broker.

a.       Deputy Administrator/Chief Operating Officer.  No comments or questions were presented.

A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: To approve the Deputy Administrator/Chief Operating Officer Contract for Eva Willens. Second by Ms. Lafreniere of Hopkinton. Unanimous roll call vote.

b.      Insurance Broker – The Board raised the possibility of an umbrella policy through MARTA, and whether MIAA (Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association) responded to the RFP.   Mr. Nee will reach out to MARTA to see if they offer an umbrella policy.  MIAA did not respond to the insurance brokerage RFP.

A motion was made by Mr. Ostroff of Natick: To approve the insurance broker contract to Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. Second by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley. Unanimous roll call vote.

Discussion/Approval of Agency Safety Plan: Ms. Willens provided an overview of the MWRTA safety plan, which is typically revised and renewed on an annual basis.  The Authority has formed a safety committee consisting of MWRTA and KTI staff along with fixed route union representation.  The committee meets quarterly to discuss safety concerns and to review, update, and approve plans. 

A motion was made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley: To approve the proposed Agency Safety Plan. Second Mr. Burman of Ashland: Unanimous roll call vote.

Board Member Comments:  

Mr. Burman is organizing a Remote Area Medical event to be held at Keefe Tech, Framingham, MA on August 12 and 13, 2023.  It will be two days of free medical care for under-insured or uninsured persons in the Metrowest area.  Mr. Burman expressed the need of medical and non-medical volunteers and requested board members to spread the word.  The program has a goal of treating 400-600 patients a day.  He provided the website (www.ramusa.com) if anyone is interested in more information. 

Ms. Aufranc requested that all future board meetings be recorded and that the recordings be posted on the MWRTA website.

Scheduling Next Meeting:  TBD

Adjournment: 

A motion was made by Mr. Ostroff of Natick.  Second by Mr. Nolan of Wayland to adjourn the meeting. 

The meeting adjourned at 11:07 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 November 14, 2022.

____________________________

Debra Galloway of Sudbury, Clerk

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