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Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2022

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) Advisory Board met on Monday, June 27, 2022 at 11:00 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, Kristina Johnson/Hudson @ 11:10, Michael Walsh/Milford, and Colette Aufranc/Wellesley.

Virtual Attendance:  Kevin McCabe/Dover, Mike Tusino/Framingham, Linda Marshall/Holliston, Mary Jo Lafreniere/Hopkinton, Trish Pope/Marlborough, Josh Ostroff/Natick, Robert Wolff/Sherborn, and Debra Galloway/Sudbury -Clerk  

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, Chase Modestow/ Coordinator of Business Communications & Development, Jon Fetherston/ Manager of Travel Training & Community Relations, Daniel Fitch/IT Consultant, Bruce Willens/ Fleet Director, Gerry Hartwell/Facilities Director, Chuck Curran/KTI Manager, and Jim Nee/ Incoming Administrator

Not participating: Joseph Nolan/Wayland – Chair, Carole Mullen/Hopedale, Martin Healey/Southborough, and Jean MacQuiddy/Weston

With a quorum declared present, the meeting was called to order at 11:03 AM with Mr. Burman, Vice-Chair, presiding.

Public Questions/Comments: 

Incoming Administrator Nee thanked Mr. Carr and the MWRTA staff for their hospitality and introduction to the MWRTA. 

Mr. Ostroff of Natick thanked Mr. Carr for his service.

Paul Joseph, Chair, Natick Select Board, acknowledged the impending departure of Mr. Carr, and to express his sincere appreciation for the work Mr. Carr has done for the people of Metrowest in his capacity of Administrator since the RTA’s inception. Mr. Joseph also noted that he and Mr. Carr had worked with in each other over the years in both his capacity as a select board member and in his former role as President & CEO of the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce.

Approval of May 12, 2022 minutes: 

A motion was made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley: To approve minutes from the Advisory Board Meeting of May 12, 2022. Second Mr. Burman of Ashland: Unanimous roll call vote.

 

Ratification of New Administrator Contract: 

Mr. Moynihan stated that a successful contract was negotiated between MWRTA and James Nee.  He stated that the contract is for a term of three years. A summary of the various negotiated contract provisions along with a copy of the contract with the negotiated elements highlighted were distributed to the board in advance of the meeting for review.

Mr. Nee stated that he viewed this contract as the beginning of a long-term commitment to the MWRTA, and that he negotiated the terms of this agreement with that intention in mind.

A motion was made by Mr. Ostroff of Natick: To approve the three year contract with Mr. Nee for the position of MWRTA Administrator, as presented.  Second by Ms. Pope of Marlborough. Unanimous roll call vote.

Mr. Nee will start in his role as Administrator on Monday, July 18, 2022.  Mr. Burman stated that Deputy Eva Willens will step in as the interim Administrator and perform all duties and responsibilities of the position until that time. While serving in this capacity Ms. Willens will receive the minimum salary recently advertised for the position of Administrator.  

A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: To approve Ms. Willens as interim Administrator of the MWRTA until July 18, 2022 for the minimum salary advertised for the position.  Second by Ms. Pope of Marlborough. Unanimous roll call vote.

 

Discussion of Scope of Independent Auditor: 

Ms. Aufranc discussed the need to converse with the independent auditor, Bruce D Norling, CPA P.C.  for the following information:  Grant compliance, policies and procedures of new fare collection system, and to review the current topics he may have to offer that other RTA’s are experiencing, including security risks.

A motion was made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley: To converse with the independent auditor to engage in scope discussions. Second by Mr. Burman of Ashland. Unanimous roll call vote.

 

Discussion/Approval of Vehicle Procurement over $500,000:

Bruce Willens, Fleet Director, requested approval for six (6) new CNG buses totaling $757,164.00.  Vehicles were previously acquired through the federally assisted Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) and are now funded from Statewide 5339 federal funds.  MWRTA has a 5-year plan to replace 20% of the fleet annually. 

 

A motion was made by Mr. Burman of Ashland: To approve the vehicle procurement over $500,000 as presented. Second by Ms. Marshall of Holliston. Unanimous roll call vote.

 

Discussion/Approval of Revised FY2022 Budget: 

John Glynn, MWRTA CFO, provided an executive summary to the board consistent with what had been presented to the Finance & Audit Committee in their budget meetings.  Ms. Aufranc, Chair of the MWRTA F&A Committee, stated that the budget is a conservative projection. Revenues, service, and local assessments were down due to the pandemic. As a result, MWRTA used CARES Act funds to replace the lost income and for continuing service.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley: To accept the approval of the Revised FY2022 Budget as presented. Second Mr. Burman of Ashland: Unanimous roll call vote.

 

Discussion/Approval of FY2023 Budget:

 

Discussion continued regarding the State Contract Assistance in the FY2023 budget, which is level-funded. When CARES funds are depleted, MWRTA will use FY2021 and FY2022 5307 operating funds to balance budget gaps.

 

A motion was made by Ms.  Aufranc of Wellesley: To accept the approval of FY2023 Budget as presented. Second Mr. Burman of Ashland: Unanimous roll call vote.

 

Board Reorganization FY2023:  

Mr. Burman recognized a memo received from Mr. Nolan, stating his interest to stay on as Chair of the Advisory Board.  Mr. Burman stated he would like to remain as Vice-Chair, and Ms. Galloway expressed her interest to remain as Clerk.

A motion made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley:  To approve the Board reorganization with the current slate of officers: Mr. Nolan as Chair. Second by Mr. Burman of Ashland: Unanimous roll call vote.

A motion made by Ms. Pope of Marlborough:  To approve the Board reorganization with the current slate of officers: Mr. Burman as Vice Chair. Second by Mr. Ostroff of Natick: Unanimous roll call vote.

A motion made by Mr. Burman of Ashland:  To approve the Board reorganization with the current slate of officers:  Ms. Galloway as Clerk. Second by Ms. Marshall of Holliston: Unanimous roll call vote.

Administrator Farewell:  

Mr. Carr recalled putting together over 100 agendas for the Advisory Board Meetings over the past 15 years. Mr. Carr expressed that he has not experienced difficulty in his relationship with any board members over the years. In fact, he admires the advocacy efforts that they demonstrate for their communities. He stated that transportation is, and should be, thought of as regional. The RTA’s 16 member communities still have room for growth and improvement. He mentioned that Mr. Nee has a huge challenge ahead, saying that there is an uphill battle underway, and it is going to get harder to continue to make this work. 
Mr. Carr feels that from the beginning, the MWRTA has had the benefit of someone watching over it and that the team has always worked together.

 

Board Member Comments:   

Mr. Burman discussed a recently approved 4-day free clinic for dental and vaccinations next summer for the benefit of uninsured and underinsured people. The clinic will be held at Keefe Tech as a remote medical site.  As the coordinator, he will be looking for volunteers.  He will be working with Senator Karen Spilka to educate individuals about Mass Health Care enrollment.

Scheduling Next Meeting:  To be determined.

Adjournment: 

A motion was made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley.  Second by Mr. Burman of Ashland to adjourn the meeting. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 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 June 27, 2022.

____________________________

Debra Galloway of Sudbury, Clerk

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