Draft Memorandum for the Record

Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Unified Planning Work Program Committee Meeting Summary

March 5, 2020 Meeting

9:00 AM–10:00 AM, State Transportation Building, Transportation Board Room,
10 Park Plaza, Boston

Benjamin Muller, Chair, representing Stephanie Pollack, Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT)

Materials

Materials for this meeting included the following:

1.    Federal Fiscal Year 2021 UPWP Universe of Proposed Studies

Meeting Agenda and Summary of Discussion

1.    Introductions

B. Muller read the accessibility statement and asked members to introduce themselves.

2.    Public Comments

There were none.

3.    Further Discussion of the Federal Fiscal Year 2021 UPWP Universe—Sandy Johnston, UPWP Manager

S. Johnston introduced the conversation, explaining that the Committee initially reviewed the Universe the previous week, but had requested that the staff present an in-depth brief at this meeting. After this meeting, S. Johnston will send out a survey as discussed at the prior meeting.

Staff discussed each study concept in turn. Discussions are summarized below.

S. Johnston recapped the next steps in the process, reminding members they could expect to see a survey in the coming days.

4.    Members Items

There were none.

5.    Next Meeting

The next committee meeting is likely to be March 26, 2020, and if not then, April 2, 2020. Staff expect to present their recommended list of studies at that meeting as well.

6.    Adjourn

A motion to adjourn was made by a member and seconded by another member. The motion carried unanimously.


Attendance

Members

Representatives

and Alternates

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Office of Transportation Planning)

Ben Muller

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Eric Bourassa

Regional Transportation Advisory Council

Lenard Diggins

At-Large City (City of Newton)

David Koses

At-Large Town (Town of Arlington)

Daniel Amstutz

City of Boston (Boston Transportation Department)

Tom Kadzis

Inner Core Committee (City of Somerville)

Tom Bent

Three Rivers Interlocal Council (Town of Norwood/Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce)

Tom O’Rourke

Three Rivers Interlocal Council alternate (Town of Westwood)

Steve Olanoff

South West Advisory Planning Council (Town of Medway)

Glenn Trindade

 

Other Attendees

Affiliation

Brian Kane

MBTA Advisory Board

 

MPO Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff

Tegin Teich, Executive Director

Scott Peterson, Director of Technical Services

Hiral Gandhi, Director of Operations and Finance

Mark Abbott, Traffic Analysis and Design Group Manager

Casey-Marie Claude, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager

Sandy Johnston, UPWP Manager

Katie Stetner, Transit Analysis and Planning Group Manager

Andrew Clark, Transit Analysis and Design Group

Betsy Harvey, Transportation Equity Program Manager

 


 

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) operates its programs, services, and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits discrimination in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency), be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that receives federal assistance. Related federal nondiscrimination laws administered by the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, or both, prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, and disability. The Boston Region MPO considers these protected populations in its Title VI Programs, consistent with federal interpretation and administration. In addition, the Boston Region MPO provides meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166.

The Boston Region MPO also complies with the Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L. c 272 sections 92a, 98, 98a, which prohibits making any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in admission to, or treatment in a place of public accommodation based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry. Likewise, the Boston Region MPO complies with the Governor's Executive Order 526, section 4, which requires that all programs, activities, and services provided, performed, licensed, chartered, funded, regulated, or contracted for by the state shall be conducted without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, veteran's status (including Vietnam-era veterans), or background.

A complaint form and additional information can be obtained by contacting the MPO or at http://www.bostonmpo.org/mpo_non_discrimination. To request this information in a different language or in an accessible format, please contact

Title VI Specialist
Boston Region MPO
10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150
Boston, MA 02116
civilrights@ctps.org
857.702.3700 (voice)
617.570.9193 (TTY)