Advisory Board Meeting - June 23, 2026

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Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of June 23, 2026

A roll call of members present was conducted with the following members in attendance: Michael Tusino/Framingham-Chair, Ed Burman/Ashland-Vice Chair, Debbie Dupuis/Holliston, Michael Walsh/Milford, and Sam Stivers/Southborough (arrived at 9:35 AM). Members participating remotely: Kevin McCabe/Dover, Kristina Johnson/Hudson, Heather Gutierrez/Marlborough, Robert Weiss/Millis, and Morgan Griffiths/Natick (left at 10:02 AM). 

Also in attendance: Jim Nee/Administrator, Mark McClanan/Deputy Administrator of Operations, Nelson Mui/Deputy Administrator of Administration and Finance, John Glynn/CFO, Patrick Moynihan/General Counsel, Daniel Fitch/IT Consultant, Jordan Tong/IT Consultant, Linda Murtagh/Executive Assistant/HR Manager, Joy Glynn/Grants Manager, Paula Doucette/Accounts Payable, Tyler Terrasi/Government Affairs Officer, Zach Jones/Route Planner, Emily VanDewoestine/Fixed Route & Marketing, Scott Juppe/Fleet Director, and Jeffrey Rosin/Attorney, O’Hagan Meyer.

Board members absent: Carole Mullen/Hopedale, Shahidul Mannan/Hopkinton, Robert Wolff/Sherborn, Nickole Boardman/Sudbury, Joseph Nolan/Wayland-Clerk, Sheila Page/Wellesley, and Jean MacQuiddy/ Weston

With a quorum declared present, the meeting was called to order at 9:32 AM with Mr. Tusino presiding. Mr. Tusino reviewed the meeting agenda.

A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland at 9:38 AM to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to pending litigation because discussion in public session may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the MWRTA, and that the Board will reconvene in Open Session following the discussion. Second by Mr. Walsh of Milford. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. All members participating remotely stated that no other person was present or able to hear the discussion from each of their respective remote locations.

The Board resumed Open Session at 10:04 AM.

Public Questions/Comments: No public comments were presented.

Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes – April 7, 2026: 

A motion was made by Mr. Stivers of Southborough:  Approve the minutes of April 7, 2026, with the correction of a typographical error on page 2. Second by Mr. Burman of Ashland. The motion carried by a majority vote with Hudson abstaining.

MWRTA Financial:

• FY26 YTD Report – Discussion:  Mr. Glynn stated that actual expenses detailed in the report generally align with budgeted amounts. Mr. Nee noted that fuel expenses, the largest year-to-date cost variance, have been minimal thanks to the Authority’s use of compressed natural gas (CNG).
• FY27 Final Budget – Discussion/Approval:  Mr. Glynn summarized the Authority’s draft FY27 budget, which has allocated an additional $200,000 in operating expenses to account for rising fuel costs.

A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland:  Approve the FY27 Final Budget as presented. Second by Mr. Stivers of Southborough. The motion carried by a majority vote.

Administrator’s Report – Discussion: Mr. Nee reported the following items:

• Year-to-year Ridership continues to surpass pre-COVID levels throughout fixed route (20%) and demand response (16%). Total year-to-year systemwide ridership has increased 20%. MWRTA projects that its first million passenger year will occur in FY27.
• MWRTA will soon order additional larger-capacity, heavy-duty vehicles, including a battery electric bus (BEB), supported by federal funds through the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
• Design of the Blandin Hub Operations Facility Expansion Project is nearing 60% completion. Construction bidding is anticipated for this winter; groundbreaking is expected by early 2027. Commissioning is slated for fall 2028.
• An additional $25 million awarded through the Boston MPO will support land acquisition, design, and construction of a heavy-duty Vehicle Maintenance and Fueling Facility. MWRTA continues to explore feasible land parcels for this project.
• MWRTA has completed the final draft of its Fixed Route Network Redesign. Numerous public comments and stakeholder feedback guided final draft development. Revised routes will increase efficiency and promote ridership growth by enhancing connectivity and service frequency throughout high ridership corridors. MWRTA will continue to serve all current areas where bus service is provided.
• Mr. Nee welcomed board members to reach out with questions or topics of discussion related to current MWRTA capital projects. He also presented MWRTA’s revised Mission, Vision and Values (MVV) developed in partnership with a consultant along with MWRTA’s staff and operations contractor. MWRTA will reevaluate visual aspects of its branding and data tracking efforts throughout FY27.

Fixed Route Network Redesign – Discussion/Approval:  Mr. Jones, MWRTA Route Planner, summarized the revisions to the Authority’s fixed route network as presented for board member consideration. He highlighted specific adjustments designed to connect previously underserved MWRTA member communities to the Downtown Framingham area, key employment centers, business districts, and the MBTA commuter rail. These enhancements will provide consistent service throughout commercial centers which have not been adequately served by the current network. The performance of these routes and schedules will be modified as required based on observed ridership patterns, public and stakeholder feedback, and other factors. The MWRTA highlighted large-scale public engagement efforts throughout the redesign process. Board members were encouraged to continue circulating feedback from community members.

A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland:  Approve the Fixed Route Network Redesign as presented. Second by Mr. Stivers of Southborough. The motion carried by a majority vote.

Administrator Contract Matters:

1. FY26 Annual Performance Evaluation – Discussion:  Mr. Moynihan reported that 11 board members participated in the recent evaluation of the Administrator. Overall performance was rated exceptional by four respondents and highly effective by the remaining seven participating members. Mr. Moynihan stressed the importance of this evaluation in guiding Administrator and agency goals.
2. FY26 Optional Performance Bonus – Discussion/Approval:  Board members discussed the Administrator’s optional Performance Bonus in light of a job well done and current fiscal challenges facing member communities. Board members recommended raises ranging from 3% to 10%. While some members favored a lesser increase based on local salary trends and budget constraints, others supported a higher bonus to recognize the Administrator’s accomplishments and support retention of effective leadership. Mr. Nee thanked the board for their comments and participation in the performance evaluation. Mr. Tusino recommended that the MWRTA conduct an informal evaluation of salaries provided to Administrators throughout the Commonwealth. Mr. Nee stated that this information is easily retrievable and should be made available in early FY27.

A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland:  Approve the Administrator FY26 Optional Performance Bonus at 5%. Seconded by Mr. Walsh of Milford. The motion did not carry.

A motion was made by Ms. Gutierrez of Marlborough:  Approve the Administrator FY26 Optional Performance Bonus at 6%. Seconded by Mr. Stivers of Southborough. The motion carried by majority vote.

3. FY27 Administrator & Authority Goals – Discussion/Approval:  Mr. Nee presented draft Authority and Administrator goals for FY27. Notable agency goals include increasing ridership and enhancing service efficiency. Administrator goals include developing an internal mentorship program for staff, commemorating MWRTA’s 20th anniversary through outreach and special events, strengthening partnerships with regional stakeholders, and securing additional state and federal funding to support facility and capital projects.

A motion was made by Mr. Stivers of Southborough:  Approve the FY27 Administrator and authority Goals as presented. Seconded by Mr. Burman of Ashland. The motion carried by a majority vote.

Board Member Comments: No board member comments were presented.

MWRTA FY27 Advisory Board Reorganization:  A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland:  To keep the current leadership slate ‘as is’ with no changes with Mr. Tusino as Chair, Mr. Burman as Vice Chair and Mr. Nolan as Clerk. Second by Mr. Walsh of Milford. The motion carried by a majority vote.

Scheduling of Next Meeting:  Mr. Nee stated that the next meeting will take place in late September or early October 2026.

Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 11:16 AM.

Certificate

The undersigned, being the duly qualified vice chair of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board acknowledges that the foregoing minutes accurately reflect the matters discussed and actions taken at a legally convened meeting of the Advisory Board held on June 23, 2026.

____________________________

Ed Burman, Vice Chair

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