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Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of March 3, 2023

 

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) Advisory Board met on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 10:00 am at the call of Joseph Nolan, Advisory Board Chair/Wayland.

A roll call of members present was conducted, in attendance were: Kevin McCabe/Dover (virtual), Michael Tusino/Framingham (virtual), Mary Jo Lafreniere/Hopkinton (virtual).,  Kristina Johnson/Hudson, Trish Pope/ Marlborough (virtual), Josh Ostroff/Natick (virtual), Robert Wolff/Sherborn (virtual), Joseph Nolan/Wayland - Chair, Colette Aufranc/Wellesley, and Jean MacQuiddy/Weston.

Also participating: Jim Nee/Administrator, Eva Willens/Deputy Administrator, John Glynn/CFO, Patrick Moynihan/General Counsel, Daniel Fitch/IT Consultant, Linda Murtagh/Executive Assistant, HR Manager, Joy Glynn/Grants Manager, Tyler Terrasi/Grants Support Coordinator, Paula Doucette/ Financial Assistant, Emily Van DeWoestine/Director of Fixed Route, Intermodal and Marketing, Chase Modestow/Coordinator of Business Communications & Development, and David Correia, Advocacy Director/MWCIL.

Not participating: Ed Burman/Ashland-Vice Chair, Linda Marshall/Holliston, Carole Mullen/Hopedale, Michael Walsh/Milford, Martin Healey/Southborough, and Debra Galloway/Sudbury-Clerk,

With a quorum declared present, the meeting was called to order at 10:03 AM with Mr. Nolan, presiding.

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

Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes: November 14, 2022 & December 9, 2022

A motion was made by Ms. Lafreniere of Hopkinton: Approval of minutes from the Advisory Board Meeting of November 14, 2022.  Second by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley.  The vote was passed. Ms. MacQuiddy of Weston abstained.
A motion was made by Ms. Lafreniere of Hopkinton: Approval of minutes from the Advisory Board Meeting of December 9, 2022.  Second by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley.  The vote was passed.  Ms. Pope of Marlborough abstained.

The Deputy Administrator introduced David Correia, Advocacy Director for MWCIL.  Ms. Willens reminded the board of the role MWCIL provides with MWRTA in offering guidance and clarification regarding ADA issues. With the recent passing of MWCIL Executive Director Paul Spooner, Mr. Correia has been asked to step in the role Paul served as an ad hoc member of the board representing the disabled community. The Board extended its welcome.

Administrator Report:

Mr. Nee reported to the Board on the following matters:

a.       Presentation of  a PowerPoint presentation incorporating Operating Metrics:

·         On-time performance is among the best in the state, with ADA at 98% and Catch Connect at 84%. 

·         September – December 2022 Ridership: ADA/Dial-a-Rider 35,028; Catch Connect 17,850; and Fixed Route 99,000.

·         Ridership Statistics will now be featured in the MWRTA Monthly Newsletter, “Hub Happenings”.

b.      Update on MWRTA Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan 2020-2024 (5-year plan):

Accomplished:

·         Wellesley Micro Transit.

·         The hiring of a new trilingual intern (English, Spanish, and Portuguese). 

Underway:

·         CCP grant application submitted was the highest-scoring application for FY24.

·         Increase route frequency; looking for ways we can implement resources to expand routes and extend micro transit hours.

Pause or Pivot:

·         Child Care center on-site paused

·         Garage not feasible to consider within the next couple of years.

·         RAISE grant application was put on hold. Will apply for this grant in future years, FY24 or FY25.    

c.       Fares: Mr. Nee advised the Board that fares, which had been suspended during the COVID pandemic, will be re-implemented, effective May 1, 2023.  This information will be made public, and thereby provide nearly sixty days of advance notice.  A discussion was held on disclosure/privacy rights.

FY23 Mid-Year Budget Review: The CFO made a presentation of the status of the budget through the first two quarters of FY 2023. He noted that stated revenue is a negative variance of $220,000; primarily due to no fares having been collected due to COVID-19. On the expense side, Mr. Glynn stated that there is a positive variance of $212,000, with projected gas prices not reaching $5.00 per gallon, and less than anticipated expenses for fixed route and ADA services during the period, being the primary factors.

SCA Review & Base Discussion:  Mr. Nee alerted the Board to the fact that MWRTA receives a disproportionately lower share of State Contract Assistance (SCA) compared to most of the other RTAs. Specifically, most RTAs receive $2.00 for every $1.00 of local assessment, while MWRTA, since his inception, has received less than $1.00.  To make up the difference in MWRTA operating funding to date, the Authority has relied primarily on funding from discretionary grants.  Mr. Nee stated that reduced SCA funds have been a detriment, and if not corrected will result in long term negative operating/service consequences.  Mr. Nee stated that a new administration offers new opportunities.  MWRTA needs at minimum $7,000,000 of SCA to continue to provide the level of service required.  Creation of a sub-committee of the Advisory Board to assist in moving objectives forward, was discussed. Mr. Nee stated that there will be further detailed discussion of the implications of SCA funding deficits when the preliminary FY 24 budget is unveiled at the next meeting in April.  

Board Member Comments:  Mr. Tusino of Framingham stated that “Keep Framingham Beautiful” is advocating for increased trash/recycling receptacles throughout Framingham.

Scheduling Next Meeting:   Monday, April 24, 2023, @ 10:00 AM

Adjourn:

A motion was made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley:  To adjourn the meeting.  Second by Mr. Ostroff of Natick: The vote was unanimous.  

The meeting adjourned at 11:18 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 March 3, 2023.

 

____________________________
Joseph P. Nolan, Chair

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