Appendix I – Comments on the
Draft STIP
Affiliation
Name
Date
Resident, Hull, MA
Richard Calabro
9/7/2014
Florence Ely
9/7/2014
Blossom Hoag
Christopher
Haraden
9/8/2014
Robert L. Fultz
9/8/2014
Maite Diez
9/8/2014
Member of the Board of
Directors, Friends of Paragon
Carousel
Resident, Hull, MA
Treasurer, Hull Historical Society
Director of Community
Development, Hull, MA
President of the Hull
Founder and Board Member of
the Friends of the Paragon
Carousel
Member of the Board of
Directors, Friends of Paragon
Carousel
Resident, Hull, MA
Friends of Paragon Carousel
Resident, Hull, MA
Resident, City of Medford
Resident, City of Somerville
Project (s) / issue (s)
Request/Support/
Oppose
Comment
Request
Request to the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts to give the Carousal an
opportunity to compete for Federal
Transportation Alternatives Program funds for
restoration.
Support
Supports the inclusion of the following projects
in the FFYs 2015-18 STIP: Green Line extension
to Somerville, Medford, and the funding to
design its permanent terminus station at
Mystic Valley Parkway (Route 16), the tricommunity bikeway, Bruce Freeman Trail
extension (Phase2-B), Montvale Ave.
reconstruction, Safe Routes to School
Programs, the MBTA Government Center
Station renovation. Supports the continued
inclusion of the Red – Blue Line Connector
design, though it has been proposed for
removal from the State Implementation Plan
(SIP), and finally supports the implementation
of the project.
Request
Request to program additional funds in the
Boston MPO TIP and STIP to lower the railroad
corridor in Broadway while it is being rebuilt for
the Green Line Extension instead of keeping the
track at the current elevation, so that the
bridge and the road can be re-built with an ADA
compliant grade.
9/5/2014
Nantasket State Waiting Room
MassDOT Response
MassDOT appreciates your comment and support for the project. As you
might be aware, there are limited funds available in the program and the
project selection process is highly competitive. Along with all the TAP
funding criteria met, a project is deemed eligible for TAP funds when
there is strong community support. We urge you to work with Boston
MPO to determine if the project scores high enough to merit
consideration for programming funds.
Judeth Van Hamm 9/5/2014
David Gray
9/6/2014
Karen Delano
Patricia Abbate
Liane Bromberg
9/7/2014
9/7/2014
9/7/2014
Kenneth J. Krause 9/7/2014
Joel N. Weber II
9/7/2014
Green Line Extension, Tri –
Community Bikeway, Bruce
Freeman Trail extension,
Montvale Ave. reconstruction,
Safe Routes to School programs,
MBTA Government Station
renovation
Green Line Extension
MassDOT is committed to implementing the Green Line Extension, which
is a key priority of the Commonwealth of MA as well as a legal
commitment under the State Implementation Plan (SIP). MassDOT also
supports the Safe Routes to School Programs, trail extensions and is
investing in key design and connectivity elements of the projects. 47% of
Massachusetts Elementary and Middle Schools are SRTS partners. The
national average of schools partnering with these programs is 17%. In the
Commonwealth, the Safe Routes to School program funding ranges from
$3.8 million in federal fiscal year 2015 to $ 6.0 million in federal fiscal year
2018. These projects support MassDOT’s GreenDOT, and healthy
transportation initiatives.
The Green Line Extension project development and design has gone
through an extensive public process including 100’s of meetings and
several advisory groups. The project has been defined through this
process and is the one that the MBTA has submitted to the Federal
Transit Administration for consideration for New Starts funding. You will
note that this document programs expected New Starts funding for the
project including the $100 million that was included in President Obama’s
most recent budget.
Appendix I - 1
Affiliation
Name
Date
Project (s) / issue (s)
Request/Support/
Oppose
Resident, City of Somerville
Joel N. Weber II
9/8/2014
Transparency about accessibility
in STIP
Request
Elisabeth Bayle
9/7/2014
Green Line Extension
Support/ oppose
Resident, Medford Hillside
John Roland Elliot 9/7/2014
Lee Auspitz
Mayor, Malden MA
Mayor, Revere MA
9/8/2014
Gary Christenson 7/5/2014
Daniel Rizzo
9/5/2014
Green Line Extension
Support
Route 1 Improvement Project
MassDOT Response
To provide a detailed list of unfunded
accessibility projects with cost estimates.
Request for format correction for Project ID
1570
MassDOT and the MBTA are working to update this list and will be happy
to provide.
The format has been corrected and is available on the MassDOT website
and in hardcopy.
MassDOT has changed the name of the relevant station to the
terminology being used by the MBTA. Regardless of this name change,
Oppose the project description for Project ID
the College Avenue station remains, for the purposes of the State
1569.
Implementation Plan, the location that meets the requirement for a stop
at Medford Hillside
Expresses support for GLX to College Ave with
MassDOT has changed the name of the relevant station to the
the Union Sq. spur and GLX (Phase II). Also
terminology being used by the MBTA. Regardless of this name change,
expresses consternation and indignation at the
the College Avenue station remains, for the purposes of the State
project description used for the GLX to College Implementation Plan, the location that meets the requirement for a stop
Ave. and to Mystic Valley Pkwy.
at Medford Hillside
MassDOT has changed the name of the relevant station to the
terminology being used by the MBTA. Regardless of this name change,
the College Avenue station remains, for the purposes of the State
Implementation Plan, the location that meets the requirement for a stop
at Medford Hillside
MassDOT recognizes the importance of the Route 1 project. The project's
design status is currently on hold at pre-25% design due to a lack of
funding. Project proponents will need to continue working with the
Boston MPO to prioritize the project on the TIP in order to secure
Request to program the Route 1 Improvement funding. Programming on the STIP comes directly from regional TIPs. The
Project Selection Advisory Council was created by legislation to develop
project in the FY2015-2018 STIP.
criteria for evaluating statewide projects, and is not a decision making
body. In the meantime MassDOT will schedule a meeting with the
communities if further information is needed.
Proposes to correct Medford Hillside error in
draft STIP
Green Line Extension
Route 1 Improvement Project
Comment
Request
Request
MassDOT recognizes the importance of the Route 1 project. The project's
design status is currently on hold at pre-25% design due to a lack of
funding. Project proponents will need to continue working with the
Boston MPO to prioritize the project on the TIP in order to secure
Request to program the Route 1 Improvement funding. Programming on the STIP comes directly from regional TIPs. The
Project Selection Advisory Council was created by legislation to develop
project in the FY2015-2018 STIP.
criteria for evaluating statewide projects, and is not a project
programming body. In the meantime MassDOT will schedule a meeting
with the communities if further information is needed.
Appendix I - 2
Affiliation
Town Manager, Saugus MA
Name
Scott Crabtree
Date
9/5/2014
Project (s) / issue (s)
Route 1 Improvement Project
Request/Support/
Oppose
Request
Comment
MassDOT Response
MassDOT recognizes the importance of the Route 1 project. The project's
design status is currently on hold at pre-25% design due to a lack of
funding. Project proponents will need to continue working with the
Boston MPO to prioritize the project on the TIP in order to secure
Request to program the Route 1 Improvement funding. Programming on the STIP comes directly from regional TIPs. The
Project Selection Advisory Council was created by legislation to develop
project in the FY2015-2018 STIP.
criteria for evaluating statewide projects, and is not a decision making
body. In the meantime MassDOT will schedule a meeting with the
communities if further information is needed.
Appendix I - 3
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Simmons, Paula (DOT)
Thursday, August 21, 2014 11:28 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Stegemann, Al (DOT); Masse, Richard (DOT); Hoynoski, Jeffrey (DOT); Amaral, Daryl
(DOT); Hannon, Heather (DOT); Palmer, William (DOT)
D2 Comments on Draft FY15-18 STIP
Good Morning,
The District offers the following comments on the Draft FY15-18 STIP:
FY15:
None
FY16:
1. Section 1D/Statewide Interstate Maintenance Program –
Project #607182:
MPO should be Franklin (not Pioneer Valley)
Municipality Name should be Multiple (not Bernardston)
FY17:
2. Section 1A/CMAQ –
Project #604203:
District should be 2 (not 8)
Project #606903:
District should be 2 (not 8)
Project #607502:
District should be 2 (not 8)
3. Section 1D/Statewide Interstate Maintenance Program –
Project #607478:
Municipality Name should be Multiple (not Whately)
FY18:
4. Section 1D/Statewide Interstate Maintenance Program –
Project #607560:
District should be 2 (not 8)
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Thank you,
Paula
1
Appendix I - 4
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Woelfel, Steve (DOT)
Saturday, August 23, 2014 1:22 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT); Pounds, Bryan (DOT)
Frey, Bob (DOT); Lopes, Kevin (DOT)
Fwd: STIP Draft issues
Please fix on Monday.
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Timothe Litt <timothe@litts.net>
Date: August 23, 2014 at 5:08:47 AM EDT
To: "Woelfel, Steve (DOT)" <Steve.Woelfel@dot.state.ma.us>
Subject: STIP Draft issues
The "Transit Projects FY15" file published on the massdot.state.ma.us
website needs attention, as
several items escaped your proofreading.
https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/17/docs/STIP15_18/PartII/DraftFY15TransitProjects.pd
f
The "Federal Funds" column contains #### values, meaning that the value
is too large for the column width.
The "Local Fund $" column has the same issue.
Please regenerate the PDF after widening the columns in the source
spreadsheet.
Note that you need to widen the columns enough that the values on the
Subtotal and Total lines
also fit.
A minor note: the text "Martha's Vineyard Regional Transit Authority" is
not rendered correctly;
it appears to be a character set issue -- the 's is rendered as a^,
euro, TM,s:
Martha’s Vineyard Regional Transit Authority
Thanks.
-This communication may not represent my employer's views,
1
Appendix I - 5
if any, on the matters discussed.
2
Appendix I - 6
Appendix I - 7
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
Justin Howard <JHoward@nmcog.org>
Tuesday, August 26, 2014 9:37 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Woods, Beverly (NMCOG)
NMCOG comments on Draft FFY 2015-2018 STIP
NMCOG Comments on Draft FFY 2015-2018 STIP 82614.pdf
Hi Sreelatha,
I am attaching the NMCOG comment letter on the Draft FFY 2015-2018 STIP to this email. If you have any questions,
just let me know.
Thanks,
Justin
Justin Howard - Transportation Program Manager
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments
40 Church Street, Suite 200 Lowell, MA 01852
p:978-454-8021
jhoward@nmcog.org
www.nmcog.org
1
Appendix I - 8
Appendix I - 9
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
charaden@comcast.net
Friday, September 05, 2014 10:42 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Comment-Boston Region MPO FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement Program
STIP Coordinator
MassDOT
Office of Transportation Planning
10 Park Plaza, Room 4150
Boston MA 02116
RE: Public Comments on Boston Region MPO’s FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement
Program
As the Treasurer of the Hull Historical Society and a past member of the Hull Historical Commission,
I’m writing to urge MassDOT to help create a pathway for federal Transportation Alternatives Program
(TAP) funding to be used to preserve a significant transportation landmark in the town of Hull.
The nearly 100-year-old State Waiting Room/Clocktower structure is owned by the Commonwealth
and sits adjacent to the right-of-way for the Nantasket Beach Branch of the New York, New Haven,
and Hartford Railroad, the first rail line to be electrified in America in 1895. As you know, TAP funds
may be used for preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities like the Clocktower.
The Commonwealth previously recognized the importance of this location in the state’s transportation
history through its nomination of Hull Shore Drive and Nantasket Avenue to the National Register of
Historic Places in 2004. The building (Inventory No. HUL.33 in the Massachusetts Cultural Resource
Information System database) is featured in the National Register application, which also details the
area’s prominent role in developing the parkway system for auto travel at the turn of the 20th century.
In addition to its role as the State Waiting Room for the railroad line, the Clocktower is at the head of
the steamboat pier, a location historically served by ferryboats and the nexus of a renewed effort to
provide water-based transportation in order to reduce emissions from auto traffic to Nantasket Beach.
At various times since being incorporated into the campus of the Paragon Carousel, the Clocktower
has served as depot for bicycle rentals and is currently a regular stop on the public bus route.
The building’s actual clock tower, now in need of repair, traditionally served as a wayfinder for users
of public transportation, and can fill that need again if restored as part of a larger effort to rehabilitate
this structure and return it to a role in the region’s multimodal transport system.
The nonprofit now leasing the building would be able to work with its landlord, the Department of
Conservation and Recreation, to compete for preservation funds if MassDOT would assist in including
this important restoration project among potential uses for TAP funds.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
1
Appendix I - 10
Christopher Haraden
Treasurer, Hull Historical Society
Past Member, Hull Historical Commission
charaden@comcast.net
781-254-3131
2
Appendix I - 11
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
G. A. David Gray <gadgray@gmail.com>
Saturday, September 06, 2014 5:10 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Fwd: MPO's FFY 2015 - 2018 Transportation Improvement Program
Good Afternoon:
Please see my message below. Thank you.
G. A. David Gray
781 - 773 - 1700
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: G. A. David Gray <gadgray@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 11:00 AM
Subject: MPO's FFY 2015 - 2018 Transportation Improvement Program
To: Allam.Sreelatha@sstate.ma.us
In response to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization's request for comments on the Boston
Region MPO's FFY 2015 - 18 Transportation Improvement Program, I would like to draw your attention to a
very special and historic transportation building located in Hull, MA that deserves to be preserved through the
federal Transportation Alternatives Program.
The iconic State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach is a symbol and reminder of Massachusetts leadership in
public transportation. Built in the 1920's, the Waiting Station had a unique role serving three pioneer modes of
transportation.They were:
1. Steamboats - built by America's first steamboat line, the Hingham and Boston Steamboat Company arrived at
the 1868 Nantasket Pier.
2. Streetcars - which were part of the Boston metropolitan network begun in 1889, one of the first streetcar
systems in the United States. The system was extended to Hull in 1895.
3. Electric Trains - on the Old Colony Railroad's Nantasket Branch, which in 1895 was the first electric rail line
in the U.S.
Today, the State Waiting Station provides essential operational support and shares history with families who
come to experience the joy and magic of riding the 1928 Paragon Carousel, one of only 150 hand-carved
historic carousels remaining in the nation. The Waiting Station has been leased and will continue to be leased
by the Friends of the Paragon Carousel for many years. The Friends of the Paragon Carousel, as lessee, has used
its funds to make many improvements to the Waiting Station and indeed has installed and operates an historic
museum within the building. The Carousel won the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation
competition for the Boston metropolitan area.
1
Appendix I - 12
I urge you to create a funding process that would give restoration of the State Waiting Station at Nantasket
Beach, Hull, a place among the state's priorities for the use of the federal Transportation Alternatives Program
funds.
Thank you for providing funds for the restoration of the State Waiting Station so it will continue to be a
reminder of Massachusetts leadership in transportation innovation.
G. A. David Gray, CFP
Board Member of the Friends of the Paragon Carousel.
Hull, MA 781 - 773 - 1700
2
Appendix I - 13
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Pam Wolfe <pjdwsunset@comcast.net>
Saturday, September 06, 2014 9:01 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Fwd: IMMEDIATE ATTENTION for Carousel -FW: [MPOINFO] Public Comment Period
starts for State Transportation Improvement Program
image001.jpg; ATT00001.htm; Transportation Alternatives Program excerpts.docx;
ATT00002.htm
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Judeth Van Hamm" <one@hullportside.net>
Subject: IMMEDIATE ATTENTION for Carousel -FW: [MPOINFO] Public Comment Period starts
for State Transportation Improvement Program
Date: September 5, 2014 at 3:50:43 PM EDT
To: "Judeth Van Hamm" <one@hullportside.net>
Please submit a public comment by the end of tomorrow, Saturday, September
6, to Allam.Sreelatha@state.ma.us to ask the state to give the Carousel a chance to compete for federal
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds for restoration of the Clock Tower building (Nantasket State Waiting
Station).
The story is that we have been working for several years to find out how to apply for federal transportation funds that
are available to restore historic transportation facilities. The Clock Tower building was built as a State Waiting Room
for three US transportation firsts--steamboat line, streetcar system and electric railroad! Recently the funding
regulations changed to allow the state more flexibility in how the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds are
used. We would like to bring to the State’s attention that the Nantasket State Waiting Station (Clock Tower Building) is
worthy of consideration. It also urgently needs repairs to damage done by flood waters and roof leaks. We would also
like the State to be aware that this project would serve the many people who love the Carousel and its history.
If you are curious about the federal funding, see attached excerpts from the TAP guidelines. Last year the only eligible
projects considered by State were Safe Routes to School.
Please send an email to Allam.Sreelatha@state.ma.us with your own version of the message below that I am
submitting. Please submit your comment by the end of Saturday, September 6.
Thank you for caring for the Carousel!
Judeth
Comment on State Transportation Improvement Program
1
Appendix I - 14
In response to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s request for comments on the Boston
Region MPO’s FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement Program, I would like to bring to your attention that
Massachusetts has a very special historic transportation building that deserves to be preserved through the
federal Transportation Alternatives Program.
The iconic State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach is a symbol of Massachusetts leadership in
transportation. Built in the 1920s, it had a unique role serving three transportation pioneers:
1) Steamboats arriving at the 1868 Nantasket Pier, built by America’s first steamboat line, the Hingham and
Boston Steamboat Company,
2) Streetcars, which were part of the Boston metropolitan network begun in 1889, one of the first streetcar
systems in the United States, and extended to Hull in 1895,
3) Electric trains on the Old Colony Railroad’s Nantasket Branch, which in 1895 was the first electric rail line
in the U.S.
In addition, Albert Augustus Pope, whose company started Columbia bicycles in 1878 and championed
bicycling, had his summer house two miles away in Cohasset.
Now the State Waiting Station provides essential operational support and shares history with families who
come to enjoy the magic of riding the 1928 Paragon Carousel, one of only 150 hand-carved historic carousels
remaining in the nation. The Carousel won the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation competition
for the Boston metropolitan area.
We urge you to create a funding process that would give restoration of the State Waiting Station at Nantasket
Beach a place among the state’s priorities for use of federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds.
Thank you for envisioning the State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach being restored as a reminder of
Massachusetts’ leadership in transportation innovation.
Judeth Van Hamm
Founder and board member of the Friends of the Paragon Carousel
Hull, MA one@hullportside.net 781-925-5665
2
Appendix I - 15
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:15 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Sean Pfalzer
FW: Nantasket State Waiting Station
-----Original Message----From: Karen Delano [mailto:ktdel@comcast.net]
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2014 6:54 PM
To: pwolfe@ctps.org
Subject: Nantasket State Waiting Station
Please support funding for the Nantasket State Waiting Station. It is of historic importance and is still being used today
for support services.
It is adjacent to the carousel, and as such is valued by townspeople as well as visitors to Hull. This is a project well worth
funding.
Karen Delano
1
Appendix I - 16
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Elisabeth Bayle <ebayle@comcast.net>
Sunday, September 07, 2014 12:02 PM
Woelfel, Steve (DOT)
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Public Comment on Draft STIP for Federal Fiscal Years 2015 - 2018
I am commenting on the Green Line Extension Project which is covered in the Highway FFY 2015, Highway FFY 2016,
Highway FFY 2017, and Highway FFY 2018 sections in the Draft STIP at
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/planning/Main/StatewidePlans/StateTransportationImprovementProgram.aspx.
I am grateful that the Green Line Extension Project is being funded after many years of delays. This project is vital not
only to meet the legal mandate that was part of the air quality mitigation for the Big Dig, but to serve disadvantaged
communities that have long had a dearth of clean, efficient transportation options, and to provide opportunities for
smart growth in these communities.
I have these comments on the current draft documents:
MassDOT Project ID 1570
In all of the Highway sections for FFY 2016, 2017, and 2018, for MassDOT Project ID 1570, (Description: GREEN
LINE EXTENSION PROJECT- EXTENSION TO COLLEGE AVENUE WITH THE UNION SQUARE SPUR), the “Additional
Information” field is cut off (“The Green Line Extension project is currently in the New Starts pipeline and the
Commonwealth anticipates a decision in a Full Funding Grant Agreement in FFY 2015. The cash flows for the
project, therefore, provide 100% bond funding for FFYs 2013-14 and b”).
I would like to know what the remainder of the “Additional Information” field was supposed to contain. I
assume it is something referring to the hope/expectation that New Starts funding will cover some large
percentage of the remaining project costs, but I would like reassurance that if New Starts funding is not
obtained, the project will continue to be funded at 100% bond funding.
MassDOT Project ID 1569
In all of the Highway sections for FFY 2016, 2017, and 2018, for MassDOT Project ID 1569, , the Project
Description has a significant and recurring error. It is currently written as “GREEN LINE EXTENSION PROJECT
(PHASE II), MEDFORD HILLSIDE (COLLEGE AVENUE) TO MYSTIC VALLEY PARKWAY/ROUTE 16”.
It is discouraging and by now infuriating, considering the many, many explicit written and verbal attempts to correct the
record, that MassDOT continues to refer to College Avenue as “Medford Hillside”. The State’s legal commitment to
extend the Green Line to Medford Hillside had a deadline of December 31, 2014. However, College Avenue is NOT in
Medford Hillside as demonstrated by extensive research available at https://app.box.com/shared/t499nbnoa8
(Researching the location of Medford Hillside) and https://app.box.com/s/jnsv81zjl9vkqhtyn0ua (Census tracts
surrounding College Avenue Station and Mystic Valley Parkway/ Route 16 Station).
Mystic Valley Parkway/Route 16 is in Medford Hillside and the State’s legal commitment will be fulfilled ONLY when that
station is completed and open.
1
Appendix I - 17
Please correct this error immediately to remove any linking of Medford Hillside with College Avenue. A correct
formulation of the Project ID 1569 Description would be:
“GREEN LINE EXTENSION PROJECT (PHASE II), COLLEGE AVENUE TO MEDFORD HILLSIDE (MYSTIC VALLEY
PARKWAY/ROUTE 16)”.
Sincerely,
Elisabeth Bayle
2
Appendix I - 18
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
John Roland Elliott <JohnRolandElliott@Comcast.net>
Sunday, September 07, 2014 12:14 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
FW: State Transportation Improvement Plan - Public Comment
(Seems like the email address that Pam Wolfe publicized for you had your name transposed.)
From: John Roland Elliott [mailto:JohnRolandElliott@Comcast.net]
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2014 6:38 AM
To: 'Allam.Sreelatha@state.ma.us'
Subject: State Transportation Improvement Plan - Public Comment
Dear STIP Coordinator, MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning:
Please register my gratitude for the Commonwealth’s past support, and hopes for its continued support of
Green Line Extension Project- Extension To College Avenue With The Union Square Spur as listed in
Section 2A / Non-Federal Projects of State Transportation Improvement Program for FFY 2015.
Especially note my enthusiastic and whole-hearted support for funding of
Green Line Extension Project (Phase II), Medford Hillside (College Avenue) To Mystic Valley
Parkway/Route 16 as shown in Section 1A / Federal Aid Target Projects of State Transportation
Improvement Program for FFY 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Also please register my ongoing consternation and indignation at the “MassDOT Project Descriptions” used for
the Green Line Extension to College Avenue and to Mystic Valley Parkway/Route 16. The words “Medford
Hillside (College Avenue)”, which appear throughout the draft State Transportation Improvement Program for
Federal Fiscal Years 2015–18, seem to be deliberately chosen to conflate those two locations, which are
geographically-distinct – historically distinct in vernacular usage and legally distinct by city, Commonwealth and
Federal government authorities. Although it is on the slope of one of many hills in Medford, College Avenue
station is not Medford Hillside and the Green Line Extension to Medford Hillside will not be complete until the
station at Mystic Valley Parkway/Route 16 is in service. The Commonwealth’s continued support is critical in
making it possible for that to happen.
Sincere thanks,
John Roland Elliott
Medford Hillside
References:
https://app.box.com/shared/t499nbnoa8 - Researching the location of Medford Hillside
https://app.box.com/s/jnsv81zjl9vkqhtyn0ua - Census tracts surrounding College Avenue Station and Mystic
Valley Parkway/ Route 16 Station
1
Appendix I - 19
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Judeth Van Hamm <one@hullportside.net>
Sunday, September 07, 2014 4:11 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Pam Wolfe; Sean Pfalzer
Public Comment--Please consider TAP funds for Nantasket State Waiting Station
Comment on State Transportation Improvement Program
Massachusetts is in a unique position to use federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds to restore an
historic transportation facility that is a testimony to the Commonwealth’s leadership in transportation
innovation.
The Nantasket State Waiting Station, immediately recognizable as a “train station,” served three national firsts
when it was built in the 1920s—
1) Steamboats arriving at the 1868 Nantasket Pier, built by America’s first steamboat line, the Hingham and
Boston Steamboat Company,
2) Streetcars, which were part of the Boston metropolitan network begun in 1889, one of the first streetcar
systems in the United States, and extended to Hull in 1895, and
3) Electric trains on the Old Colony Railroad’s Nantasket Branch, which in 1895 was the first electric rail line
in the U.S.
Today the building is beloved as part of the “Carousel Station” complex supporting the Paragon Carousel,
winner of the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation competition for the Boston metropolitan area.
While the Friends of the Paragon Carousel, who lease the State Waiting Station from the MA Department of
Conservation and Recreation, have made improvements to the building, it is in need of significant restoration
to care for the clock tower and to correct water damage caused by storm floods and roof leaks.
We urge you to create a funding process that would give restoration of the State Waiting Station at Nantasket
Beach a place among the state’s priorities for use of federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds.
Thank you for envisioning the Nantasket State Waiting Station being restored as a symbol of Massachusetts’
leadership in transportation innovation.
Judeth Van Hamm
Founder and board member of the Friends of the Paragon Carousel
Hull, MA one@hullportside.net 781-925-5665
1
Appendix I - 20
2
Appendix I - 21
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Paragon Carousel <info@paragoncarousel.com>
Sunday, September 07, 2014 4:44 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
TAP funds for Nantasket Waiting Station
IMG_2258.JPG; ATT00001.htm
Please help restore the historic Nantasket State Waiting Station!
Massachusetts is in a unique position to use federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds to restore an
historic transportation facility that is a testimony to the Commonwealth’s leadership in transportation
innovation.
The Nantasket State Waiting Station, immediately recognizable as a “train station,” served three national firsts
when it was built in the 1920s—
1) Steamboats arriving at the 1868 Nantasket Pier, built by America’s first steamboat line, the Hingham and
Boston Steamboat Company,
2) Streetcars, which were part of the Boston metropolitan network begun in 1889, one of the first streetcar
systems in the United States, and extended to Hull in 1895, and
3) Electric trains on the Old Colony Railroad’s Nantasket Branch, which in 1895 was the first electric rail line
in the U.S.
Today the building is beloved as part of the “Carousel Station” complex supporting the Paragon Carousel,
winner of the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation competition for the Boston metropolitan area.
While the Friends of the Paragon Carousel (non-profit, charitable organization), who lease the State Waiting
Station from the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, have made improvements to the building, it
is in need of significant restoration to care for the clock tower and to correct water damage caused by storm
floods and roof leaks.
We urge you to create a funding process that would give restoration of the State Waiting Station at Nantasket
Beach a place among the state’s priorities for use of federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds.
Thank you for envisioning the Nantasket State Waiting Station being restored as a symbol of Massachusetts’
leadership in transportation innovation.
Yours truly,
Patricia Abbate
General Manager
Friends of the Paragon Carousel
205 Nantasket Ave.
Hull, MA 02045
1
Appendix I - 22
781-925-0472
paragoncarousel.com
2
Appendix I - 23
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Paragon Carousel <info@paragoncarousel.com>
Sunday, September 07, 2014 4:44 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
TAP funds for Nantasket Waiting Station
IMG_2258.JPG; ATT00001.htm
Please help restore the historic Nantasket State Waiting Station!
Massachusetts is in a unique position to use federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds to restore an
historic transportation facility that is a testimony to the Commonwealth’s leadership in transportation
innovation.
The Nantasket State Waiting Station, immediately recognizable as a “train station,” served three national firsts
when it was built in the 1920s—
1) Steamboats arriving at the 1868 Nantasket Pier, built by America’s first steamboat line, the Hingham and
Boston Steamboat Company,
2) Streetcars, which were part of the Boston metropolitan network begun in 1889, one of the first streetcar
systems in the United States, and extended to Hull in 1895, and
3) Electric trains on the Old Colony Railroad’s Nantasket Branch, which in 1895 was the first electric rail line
in the U.S.
Today the building is beloved as part of the “Carousel Station” complex supporting the Paragon Carousel,
winner of the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation competition for the Boston metropolitan area.
While the Friends of the Paragon Carousel (non-profit, charitable organization), who lease the State Waiting
Station from the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, have made improvements to the building, it
is in need of significant restoration to care for the clock tower and to correct water damage caused by storm
floods and roof leaks.
We urge you to create a funding process that would give restoration of the State Waiting Station at Nantasket
Beach a place among the state’s priorities for use of federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds.
Thank you for envisioning the Nantasket State Waiting Station being restored as a symbol of Massachusetts’
leadership in transportation innovation.
Yours truly,
Patricia Abbate
General Manager
Friends of the Paragon Carousel
205 Nantasket Ave.
Hull, MA 02045
1
Appendix I - 24
Being restored, the Nantasket State Waiting Station will serve as a worthy reminder of the leadership of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts in transportation innovation.
Sincerely yours,
Richard A. and Ingeborg Calabro
3055 S. Placita Del Avestruz
Green Valley, AZ 85622-3200
Home 520 648-0624
E-mail gvdovelover@gmail.com
2
Appendix I - 25
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Karen Delano <ktdel@comcast.net>
Sunday, September 07, 2014 6:50 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Nantasket State Waiting Station
Please fund improvements to the Nantasket State Waiting Station. It has historic importance as well as usefulness
today. This is a property that needs to be preserved. Thank you. Karen Delano Hull, MA
1
Appendix I - 26
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
florenceely@aol.com
Sunday, September 07, 2014 6:53 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
pwolfe@ctps.org; spfalzer@ctps.org
Carousel Station
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Paragon Carousel, a non-profit, I am writing to ask for your
assistance in recognizing our waiting station building as a historic transportation facility. It has a long history of being
used as a waiting station for passengers of steamboats from Boston, a waiting station for the streetcars that went from the
station to many of the 800 hotel and inn rooms and summer cottages available to tourists and visitors to Nantasket, and a
place where the first electric rail line in the U.S. picked up and dropped off passengers. It was once a beautiful piece of
architecture, with a tile roof, eyebrow windows, and a clock tower with a working clock on three sides.
I also am a volunteer docent at the Paragon Park Museum, currently in the Waiting Station, where this season, over 4500
visitors heard the history and story of the Park, the Carousel, and the Nantasket Beach Reservation. Many of them
remembered traveling on the boats from Boston, or heard parents, grandparents and great-grandparents talk of the old
days in Nantasket. With no exceptions, visitors are excited to hear that the area is working toward restoration of the
station and perhaps, someday, even the boats from Boston.
If a funding process is created that would give Carousel Station some support in restoration through Transportation
Alternative Program, it would benefit not only Carousel Station, but the Town of Hull, which has such community pride in
the beach and Carousel, as well.
As our founder, Judeth Van Hamm, who believes in the Magic of the Carousel, and thus saved it not once but twice, says:
"Thank you for embracing the vision of Carousel Station, where the Waiting Station and Carousel help create a
vibrant historic Nantasket Beach."
Florence Ely
Member of the Board of Directors
Friends of the Paragon Carousel
1
Appendix I - 27
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
lbromberg <lbromberg@comcast.net>
Sunday, September 07, 2014 8:37 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Transportation Alternatives Program for Nantasket State Waiting Station
Please consider utilizing federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds to restore the Nantasket State Waiting Station (the
"Clock Tower Building"), a very special historic transportation located building in Hull, MA.
The Nantasket State Waiting Station (the Station) was built in the 1920s and served three, important lines: steamboats, streetcars
and electric trains - all "firsts" in the US. Therefore, it deserves to be preserved through the federal Transportation Alternatives
Program as the symbol of Massachusetts leadership in transportation.
The Station now provides essential operational support and shares history with families enjoy the magic of riding the 1928 Paragon
Carousel, one of only 150 hand-carved historic carousels remaining in the nation. The Carousel won the popular vote in the 2009
Partners in Preservation competition for the Boston metropolitan area.
The Station is leased from the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) by the Friends of the Paragon Carousel. Since
the start of the lease, the Friends have made and continue to make many improvements, including a new roof and creation of a
museum. However, the building is in major need of restoration of the clock tower and repair to water damage caused by storm
floods and roof leaks.
Please help us keep up this historic treasure so that it may continue to serve as an important reminder of our history to the people
who come from all over. Thank you for your consideration.
Liane Bromberg
Deb Issoksson
142 Edgewater Rd.
Hull, MA 02045
1
Appendix I - 28
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:05 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Sean Pfalzer
FW: IMMEDIATE ATTENTION for Carousel -FW: [MPOINFO] Public Comment Period
starts for State Transportation Improvement Program
Untitled attachment 00117.htm; image001.jpg; Transportation Alternatives Program
excerpts.docx; Untitled attachment 00120.htm
From: Pam Wolfe [mailto:pjdwsunset@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2014 10:34 PM
To: pwolfe@ctps.org
Subject: Fwd: IMMEDIATE ATTENTION for Carousel -FW: [MPOINFO] Public Comment Period starts for State
Transportation Improvement Program
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Judeth Van Hamm" <one@hullportside.net>
Subject: IMMEDIATE ATTENTION for Carousel -FW: [MPOINFO] Public Comment Period starts
for State Transportation Improvement Program
Date: September 5, 2014 at 3:50:43 PM EDT
To: "Judeth Van Hamm" <one@hullportside.net>
Please submit a public comment by the end of tomorrow, Saturday, September
6, toAllam.Sreelatha@state.ma.us to ask the state to give the Carousel a chance to compete for federal
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds for restoration of the Clock Tower building (Nantasket State Waiting
Station).
The story is that we have been working for several years to find out how to apply for federal transportation funds that
are available to restore historic transportation facilities. The Clock Tower building was built as a State Waiting Room
for three US transportation firsts--steamboat line, streetcar system and electric railroad! Recently the funding
regulations changed to allow the state more flexibility in how the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds are
used. We would like to bring to the State’s attention that the Nantasket State Waiting Station (Clock Tower Building) is
worthy of consideration. It also urgently needs repairs to damage done by flood waters and roof leaks. We would also
like the State to be aware that this project would serve the many people who love the Carousel and its history.
If you are curious about the federal funding, see attached excerpts from the TAP guidelines. Last year the only eligible
projects considered by State were Safe Routes to School.
Please send an email to Allam.Sreelatha@state.ma.uswith your own version of the message below that I am
submitting. Please submit your comment by the end of Saturday, September 6.
1
Appendix I - 29
Thank you for caring for the Carousel!
Judeth
Comment on State Transportation Improvement Program
In response to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s request for comments on the Boston
Region MPO’s FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement Program, I would like to bring to your attention that
Massachusetts has a very special historic transportation building that deserves to be preserved through the
federal Transportation Alternatives Program.
The iconic State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach is a symbol of Massachusetts leadership in
transportation. Built in the 1920s, it had a unique role serving three transportation pioneers:
1) Steamboats arriving at the 1868 Nantasket Pier, built by America’s first steamboat line, the Hingham
and Boston Steamboat Company,
2) Streetcars, which were part of the Boston metropolitan network begun in 1889, one of the first streetcar
systems in the United States, and extended to Hull in 1895,
3) Electric trains on the Old Colony Railroad’s Nantasket Branch, which in 1895 was the first electric rail
line in the U.S.
In addition, Albert Augustus Pope, whose company started Columbia bicycles in 1878 and championed
bicycling, had his summer house two miles away in Cohasset.
Now the State Waiting Station provides essential operational support and shares history with families who
come to enjoy the magic of riding the 1928 Paragon Carousel, one of only 150 hand-carved historic carousels
remaining in the nation. The Carousel won the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation competition
for the Boston metropolitan area.
We urge you to create a funding process that would give restoration of the State Waiting Station at Nantasket
Beach a place among the state’s priorities for use of federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds.
Thank you for envisioning the State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach being restored as a reminder of
Massachusetts’ leadership in transportation innovation.
Judeth Van Hamm
Founder and board member of the Friends of the Paragon Carousel
Hull, MA one@hullportside.net 781-925-5665
2
Appendix I - 30
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:06 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Sean Pfalzer
FW: Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Request for Comments on FFYs
2015-18 Transportation Improvement Program.
From: Richard Calabro [mailto:gvdovelover@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2014 1:34 AM
To: Allam.Sreelatha@state.ma.us
Cc: pwolfe@ctps.org; spfalzer@ctps.org
Subject: Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Request for Comments on FFYs 2015-18 Transportation
Improvement Program.
Dear Allam Sreelatha,
This is in regard to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization Request for Comments on FFYs
2015-18 Transportation Improvement Program.
The Nantasket State Waiting Station pictured above, locally called the Clock Tower building, is situated
next to, and provides essential operational support to, the 1928 Paragon Carousel, which is one of only 150
hand-carved historic carousels remaining in the nation. The Carousel won the popular vote in the 2009 Partners
in Preservation competition for the Boston metropolitan area.
1
Appendix I - 31
We are writing to ask the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to give the Carousel a chance to compete for
federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds for restoration of the Nantasket State Waiting
Station. The building was a waiting room for three US transportation firsts: steamboat line in 1868, streetcar
system in 1889, and electric railroad in 1895.
The Nantasket State Waiting Station is very worthy of consideration. Also, it urgently needs repairs due to
damage done by flood waters and roof leaks. In addition, this project would serve the many people who love the
Carousel and its history. Will you please create a funding process that would give restoration of the State
Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach a top place for use of federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds?
Being restored, the Nantasket State Waiting Station will serve as a worthy reminder of the leadership of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts in transportation innovation.
Sincerely yours,
Richard A. and Ingeborg Calabro
3055 S. Placita Del Avestruz
Green Valley, AZ 85622-3200
Home 520 648-0624
E-mail gvdovelover@gmail.com
2
Appendix I - 32
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:06 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
FW: Comment on State Transportation Improvement Program
-----Original Message----From: Maite [mailto:maite18@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2014 5:17 PM
To: seanpfalzer@stps.org; pwolfe@ctps.org
Subject: Comment on State Transportation Improvement Program
To Whom it May Concern:
In response to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s request for comments on the Boston Region
MPO’s FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement Program, I would like to tell you about a very special historic
transportation building that deserves to be preserved through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program.
Built in the 1920s, the State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach is a symbol of Massachusetts' leadership in
transportation. It had a unique role serving three transportation pioneers:
1)Steamboats arriving at the 1868 Nantasket Pier, built by America’s first steamboat line, the Hingham and Boston
Steamboat Company,
2)Streetcars, which were part of the Boston metropolitan network begun in 1889, one of the first streetcar systems in
the United States, and extended to Hull in 1895,
3)Electric trains on the Old Colony Railroad’s Nantasket Branch, which in
1895 was the first electric rail line in the U.S.
The State Waiting Station shares history with families who come to enjoy the magic of riding the 1928 Paragon Carousel,
one of only 150 hand-carved historic carousels remaining in the nation. The Carousel won the popular vote in the 2009
Partners in Preservation competition for the Boston metropolitan area.
We urge you to create a funding process that would give restoration of the State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach a
place among the state’s priorities for use of federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds.
Thank you for envisioning the State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach being restored as a reminder of Massachusetts’
leadership in transportation innovation.
Sincerely, Maite Diez
President of the Hull Village Association
Hull, MA 02045
hullvillageassociation@gmail.com 781-738-4026
1
Appendix I - 33
--This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com
2
Appendix I - 34
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:07 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Sean Pfalzer
FW: Comment-Boston Region MPO FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement
Program
From: charaden@comcast.net [mailto:charaden@comcast.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2014 9:41 AM
To: pwolfe@ctps.org
Cc: spfalzer@ctps.org
Subject: Fwd: Comment-Boston Region MPO FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement Program
Hi Pam,
How are you? Hope all is well!
Judeth Van Hamm let me know that there were issues with the contact e-mail for STIP comments; I
think I was able to adjust the address and get it to the right person, but wanted to copy you just to be
sure.
The comments are below. Thanks for your help!
Best regards,
Chris Haraden
781-254-3131
charaden@comcast.net
Sent from Xfinity Mobile App
------ Original Message -----From: Christopher Haraden
To: sreelatha allam
Sent: September 5, 2014 at 10:41 PM
Subject: Comment-Boston Region MPO FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement Program
STIP Coordinator
MassDOT
1
Appendix I - 35
Office of Transportation Planning
10 Park Plaza, Room 4150
Boston MA 02116
RE: Public Comments on Boston Region MPO’s FFYs 2015–18 Transportation
Improvement Program
As the Treasurer of the Hull Historical Society and a past member of the Hull Historical
Commission, I’m writing to urge MassDOT to help create a pathway for federal
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding to be used to preserve a significant
transportation landmark in the town of Hull.
The nearly 100-year-old State Waiting Room/Clocktower structure is owned by the
Commonwealth and sits adjacent to the right-of-way for the Nantasket Beach Branch of
the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad, the first rail line to be electrified in
America in 1895. As you know, TAP funds may be used for preservation and
rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities like the Clocktower.
The Commonwealth previously recognized the importance of this location in the state’s
transportation history through its nomination of Hull Shore Drive and Nantasket Avenue
to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. The building (Inventory No. HUL.33
in the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System database) is featured in the
National Register application, which also details the area’s prominent role in developing
the parkway system for auto travel at the turn of the 20th century.
In addition to its role as the State Waiting Room for the railroad line, the Clocktower is at
the head of the steamboat pier, a location historically served by ferryboats and the
nexus of a renewed effort to provide water-based transportation in order to reduce
emissions from auto traffic to Nantasket Beach. At various times since being
incorporated into the campus of the Paragon Carousel, the Clocktower has served as
depot for bicycle rentals and is currently a regular stop on the public bus route.
The building’s actual clock tower, now in need of repair, traditionally served as a
wayfinder for users of public transportation, and can fill that need again if restored as
part of a larger effort to rehabilitate this structure and return it to a role in the region’s
multimodal transport system.
The nonprofit now leasing the building would be able to work with its landlord, the
Department of Conservation and Recreation, to compete for preservation funds if
MassDOT would assist in including this important restoration project among potential
uses for TAP funds.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
Christopher Haraden
Treasurer, Hull Historical Society
Past Member, Hull Historical Commission
charaden@comcast.net
781-254-3131
2
Appendix I - 36
3
Appendix I - 37
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:09 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Sean Pfalzer
FW: [MPOINFO] Public Comment Period starts for State Transportation Improvement
Program
From: Judeth Van Hamm [mailto:one@hullportside.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2014 11:37 AM
To: Pam Wolfe
Subject: RE: [MPOINFO] Public Comment Period starts for State Transportation Improvement Program
Pam—
Carousel board member David Gray pointed out the solution to the bounce email is in your “cc.” Allam’s email is
sreelatha.allam@state.ma.us.
At either your email or his watch for some comments from us.
Thank you.
Judeth
From: Pam Wolfe [mailto:pwolfe@ctps.org]
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2014 8:11 AM
To: mpoinfo@ctps.org
Cc: pwolfe@ctps.org; Warrington, Sheri (SEN); Maureen Kelly; sreelatha.allam@state.ma.us
Subject: [MPOINFO] Public Comment Period starts for State Transportation Improvement Program
Draft of State Transportation Improvement Program Released for Public Review
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has released the draft project listings for the proposed FFYs
2015–18 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for a 30-day public review period, which will close
on September 7, 2014.
The STIP is a compilation of the roadway, bridge, transit, and intermodal projects selected to receive federal
funding by the Commonwealth’s 10 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and by the three regional
1
Appendix I - 38
planning commissions that serve as MPOs. This STIP includes projects that are programmed in the Boston
Region MPO’s FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement Program, which the MPO approved in July.
Click on this link to access the draft STIP:
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/planning/Main/StatewidePlans/StateTransportationImprovementProgram.aspx
Public comments may be sent by mail to the STIP Coordinator, MassDOT, Office of Transportation Planning, 10
Park Plaza, Room 4150, Boston MA 02116; by email to Allam.Sreelatha@state.ma.us; or by fax at 857-3680639.
-You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MPOINFO" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to
mpoinfo+unsubscribe@ctps.org.
2
Appendix I - 39
Blossom Hoag <blossomhoag@gmail.com>
Monday, September 08, 2014 6:14 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
spfalzer@ctps.org; pwolfe@ctps.org
Comment on State Transportation Improvement Program
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
_____________________________________
I would like to apologize that these comments are late, due to my absence. I hope that they can be put in a late file if appropriate.
Thank you,
Blossom Hoag
Dear Mr. Sreelatha
Massachusetts
Re:
Comment on State Transportation Improvement Program
I and writing in
response to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s request for comments on
the Boston Region MPO’s FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement Program, I would like to bring to your
attention that Massachusetts has a very special historic transportation building that deserves to be preserved
through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program.
The citizens of Hull have been working for several years to find out how to apply for federal transportation funds
that are available to restore historic transportation facilities. The Clock Tower building was built as a State Waiting
Room for three US transportation firsts--steamboat line, streetcar system and electric railroad! Recently the
funding regulations changed to allow the state more flexibility in how the Transportation Alternatives Program
(TAP) funds are used. We would like to bring to the State’s attention that the Nantasket State Waiting Station
(Clock Tower Building) is worthy of consideration. It also urgently needs repairs to damage done by flood waters
and roof leaks. We would also like the State to be aware that this project would serve the many people who love
the Carousel and its history.
Further the Carousel won the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation competition for the Boston
metropolitan area and received funding to magnificently restore the Carousel. This currently requested funding
would go to protect the work that has already been accomplished.
This iconic icon was saved when Paragon Park was dismantled in the 1980s. It continues to be a part of a great
coastal history.
Thank you for envisioning the State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach being restored as a reminder of
Massachusetts’ leadership in transportation innovation.
Blossom Hoag,
resident of Hingham, MA
________________________________________
Colbert had a good sequel in an interview of Tom Friedman. Colbert cited the inevitable glacier
melting to say that we may as well give up and stop trying. Friedman said (based on his new series
1
Appendix I - 40
Years of Living Dangerously (On Showtime)} that the answer is: "Manage the unavoidable and avoid
the unmanageable." That is a good catchy motto.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Blossom Hoag
303 Linden Ponds Way, ET 301
Hingham, MA 02043
Home: 781 740 2848
Cell: 617 650
6171
blossomhoag@gmail.com
=============================================================================
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."
2
- Navajo Proverb
Appendix I - 41
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:13 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Sean Pfalzer
FW: TAP funds for Nantasket Waiting Station
Untitled attachment 00046.htm; IMG_2258.JPG
From: Paragon Carousel [mailto:info@paragoncarousel.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2014 4:44 PM
To: pwolfe@ctps.org
Subject: TAP funds for Nantasket Waiting Station
Please help restore the historic Nantasket State Waiting Station!
Massachusetts is in a unique position to use federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds to restore an
historic transportation facility that is a testimony to the Commonwealth’s leadership in transportation
innovation.
The Nantasket State Waiting Station, immediately recognizable as a “train station,” served three national firsts
when it was built in the 1920s—
1) Steamboats arriving at the 1868 Nantasket Pier, built by America’s first steamboat line, the Hingham
and Boston Steamboat Company,
2) Streetcars, which were part of the Boston metropolitan network begun in 1889, one of the first streetcar
systems in the United States, and extended to Hull in 1895, and
3) Electric trains on the Old Colony Railroad’s Nantasket Branch, which in 1895 was the first electric rail
line in the U.S.
Today the building is beloved as part of the “Carousel Station” complex supporting the Paragon Carousel,
winner of the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation competition for the Boston metropolitan area.
While the Friends of the Paragon Carousel (non-profit, charitable organization), who lease the State Waiting
Station from the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, have made improvements to the building, it
is in need of significant restoration to care for the clock tower and to correct water damage caused by storm
floods and roof leaks.
We urge you to create a funding process that would give restoration of the State Waiting Station at Nantasket
Beach a place among the state’s priorities for use of federal Transportation Alternatives Program funds.
Thank you for envisioning the Nantasket State Waiting Station being restored as a symbol of Massachusetts’
leadership in transportation innovation.
1
Appendix I - 42
Yours truly,
Patricia Abbate
General Manager
Friends of the Paragon Carousel
2
Appendix I - 43
Blossom Hoag <blossomhoag@gmail.com>
Monday, September 08, 2014 6:14 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
spfalzer@ctps.org; pwolfe@ctps.org
Comment on State Transportation Improvement Program
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
_____________________________________
I would like to apologize that these comments are late, due to my absence. I hope that they can be put in a late file if appropriate.
Thank you,
Blossom Hoag
Dear Mr. Sreelatha
Massachusetts
Re:
Comment on State Transportation Improvement Program
I and writing in
response to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s request for comments on
the Boston Region MPO’s FFYs 2015–18 Transportation Improvement Program, I would like to bring to your
attention that Massachusetts has a very special historic transportation building that deserves to be preserved
through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program.
The citizens of Hull have been working for several years to find out how to apply for federal transportation funds
that are available to restore historic transportation facilities. The Clock Tower building was built as a State Waiting
Room for three US transportation firsts--steamboat line, streetcar system and electric railroad! Recently the
funding regulations changed to allow the state more flexibility in how the Transportation Alternatives Program
(TAP) funds are used. We would like to bring to the State’s attention that the Nantasket State Waiting Station
(Clock Tower Building) is worthy of consideration. It also urgently needs repairs to damage done by flood waters
and roof leaks. We would also like the State to be aware that this project would serve the many people who love
the Carousel and its history.
Further the Carousel won the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation competition for the Boston
metropolitan area and received funding to magnificently restore the Carousel. This currently requested funding
would go to protect the work that has already been accomplished.
This iconic icon was saved when Paragon Park was dismantled in the 1980s. It continues to be a part of a great
coastal history.
Thank you for envisioning the State Waiting Station at Nantasket Beach being restored as a reminder of
Massachusetts’ leadership in transportation innovation.
Blossom Hoag,
resident of Hingham, MA
________________________________________
Colbert had a good sequel in an interview of Tom Friedman. Colbert cited the inevitable glacier
melting to say that we may as well give up and stop trying. Friedman said (based on his new series
1
Appendix I - 44
Years of Living Dangerously (On Showtime)} that the answer is: "Manage the unavoidable and avoid
the unmanageable." That is a good catchy motto.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Blossom Hoag
303 Linden Ponds Way, ET 301
Hingham, MA 02043
Home: 781 740 2848
Cell: 617 650
6171
blossomhoag@gmail.com
=============================================================================
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."
2
- Navajo Proverb
Appendix I - 45
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:16 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Sean Pfalzer
FW: Accessible grade on Broadway bridge in Somerville with Green Line Extension
-----Original Message----From: Joel N. Weber II [mailto:joel@joelweber.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2014 8:16 PM
To: info@glxinfo.com; steve.woelfel@state.ma.us; tbent@bentelectric.com; rmorgan@mbta.com;
ballen@somervillema.gov; speterson@ctps.org; emoore@ctps.org; ademchur@ctps.org; pwolfe@ctps.org;
patricia.jehlen@state.ma.us; denise.provost@state.ma.us; gm@mbta.com; lbrelsford@mbta.com;
RSampson@mbta.com
Cc: mbtamonitor@gmail.com; rpark@bostoncil.org; bhenning@bostoncil.org; kschneiderman@bostoncil.org;
astout@bostoncil.org; leland@lelandcheung.com; Joel N. Weber II
Subject: Accessible grade on Broadway bridge in Somerville with Green Line Extension
The June 24, 2014 DRAFT Equivalent Facilitation Request for the Green Line Extension Project states on page 37 that
``Issues at Ball Square primarily relate to the steeply slope profile of Broadway as it passes over the railroad corridor.''
It appears to me that these issues would be best addressed by lowering the railroad corridor while it is being rebuilt for
the Green Line Extension instead of keeping the track at the current elevation as seems to be planned, so that the bridge
and road can be rebuilt with an ADA compliant grade.
If this would require additional funding for the Green Line Extension and/or funding for a new project to rebuild the road
in this area at the same time the Green Line Extension is constructed, I would like to see the Boston MPO TIP and
Massachusetts State TIP ammended to fund these projects. Alternatively, perhaps part of these improvements could be
paid for using funds controlled by the City of Somerville or state legislature.
Joel N. Weber II
225 Summer St #3
Somerville MA 02143
1
Appendix I - 46
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Attachments:
Woelfel, Steve (DOT)
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:52 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Fwd: Comment letter on State Transportation Improvement Program
STIP_15-18_Krause.pdf; ATT00001.htm
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Ken Krause <kenneth.krause@comcast.net>
Date: September 7, 2014 at 10:26:38 PM EDT
To: "Woelfel, Steve (DOT)" <Steve.Woelfel@dot.state.ma.us>
Subject: Comment letter on State Transportation Improvement Program
Dear Steve,
Please find attached a comment letter on the proposed FFY2015-18 State Transportation
Improvement Plan.
Thank you.
Ken Krause
50 Mystic St.
Medford, MA 02155
From: Pam Wolfe [mailto:pwolfe@ctps.org]
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2014 8:11 AM
To: mpoinfo@ctps.org
Cc: pwolfe@ctps.org; Warrington, Sheri (SEN); Maureen Kelly; sreelatha.allam@state.ma.us
Subject: [MPOINFO] Public Comment Period starts for State Transportation Improvement
Program
Draft of State Transportation Improvement Program Released for Public Review
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has released the draft project listings for the
proposed FFYs 2015–18 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for a 30-day public
review period, which will close on September 7, 2014.
The STIP is a compilation of the roadway, bridge, transit, and intermodal projects selected to
receive federal funding by the Commonwealth’s 10 metropolitan planning organizations
1
Appendix I - 47
(MPOs) and by the three regional planning commissions that serve as MPOs. This STIP includes
projects that are programmed in the Boston Region MPO’s FFYs 2015–18 Transportation
Improvement Program, which the MPO approved in July.
Click on this link to access the draft STIP:
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/planning/Main/StatewidePlans/StateTransportationImprove
mentProgram.aspx
Public comments may be sent by mail to the STIP Coordinator, MassDOT, Office of
Transportation Planning, 10 Park Plaza, Room 4150, Boston MA 02116; by email to
Allam.Sreelatha@state.ma.us; or by fax at 857-368-0639.
________________________________________
-You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MPOINFO"
group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to
mpoinfo+unsubscribe@ctps.org.
Right-click
here to
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pictures. To
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prev ented
auto matic
download of
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from the
In ternet.
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
2
Appendix I - 48
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:10 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Sean Pfalzer
FW: MPO's FFY 2015 - 18 Transportation Improvement Program
Scan0327.pdf
From: David Gray [mailto:dgray@vsrfin.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2014 5:05 PM
To: sreelatha.allam@state.ms.us
Cc: pwolfe@ctps.org
Subject: FW: MPO's FFY 2015 - 18 Transportation Improvement Program
Hello:
I was provided with two versions of your email address. The first did not succeed. Hence the use of the one above.
Please open the attachment.
David Gray
G. A. David Gray, CFP ® | p. 781 - 773 - 1700 | f. 781 - 773 - 1800
GRAY - LEWIS Advisory Group, LLC, Nine Holbrook Avenue, Hull, MA 02045-1411
Securities and Advisory Services offered through VSR Financial Service, Inc. a Registered Investment Adviser and Member FINRA /SIPC. GRAY - LEWIS
Advisory Group, LLC. is independent of VSR.
From: David Gray [mailto:dgray@vsrfin.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2014 11:20 AM
To: 'Allam.Sreelatha@state.ma.us'
Subject: MPO's FFY 2015 - 18 Transportation Improvement Program
I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the paragon Carousel, in Hull (Nantasket Beach), MA.
I have comments pertaining to the above program which are attached.
Thank you.
David Gray
G. A. David Gray, CFP ® | p. 781 - 773 - 1700 | f. 781 - 773 - 1800
GRAY - LEWIS Advisory Group, LLC, Nine Holbrook Avenue, Hull, MA 02045-1411
Securities and Advisory Services offered through VSR Financial Service, Inc. a Registered Investment Adviser and Member FINRA /SIPC. GRAY - LEWIS
Advisory Group, LLC. is independent of VSR.
1
Appendix I - 49
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Fultz, Robert <rfultz@town.hull.ma.us>
Monday, September 08, 2014 3:16 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT); pwolfe@ctps.org; spfalzer@ctps.org
Fund the
Dear Sreelatha, Pam and Sean,
As Director of Community Development and Planning for the Town of Hull I am writing in support of funding for the
necessary repairs to the Nantasket State Waiting Station (the "Clock Tower Building") to be considered for federal
Transportation Alternatives Program funds. Judeth Van Hamm has accurately outlined the historic significance of this
structure to several modes of public transit below. I would just add that the Nantasket Beach area is undergoing major
revitalization. One of the goals of that work is to improve traffic circulation and transit within and to Nantasket Beach, a
regional attraction with over 500,000 visitors a season. Representative Bradley has included funds in the transportation
bond bill for an electric trolley to be charged by our wind turbines. Preservation of the historic roots of transit in the
area would be a great addition to this effort and demonstrate that the full menu of transportation modes is needed not
only for access but to mitigate transportation’s ghg emissions. Judeth’s comments:
“The Nantasket State Waiting Station is a symbol of Massachusetts leadership in transportation that deserves to be
preserved through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program. When it was built in the 1920s, it served three
transportation pioneers:
1) Steamboats arriving at the 1868 Nantasket Pier, built by America’s first steamboat line, the Hingham and Boston
Steamboat Company,
2) Streetcars, which were part of the Boston metropolitan network begun in 1889, one of the first streetcar systems
in the United States, and extended to Hull in 1895,
3) Electric trains on the Old Colony Railroad’s Nantasket Branch, which in 1895 was the first electric rail line in the U.S.
Now the State Waiting Station provides essential operational support and shares history with families who come to
enjoy the magic of riding the 1928 Paragon Carousel, one of only 150 hand-carved historic carousels remaining in the
nation. The Carousel won the popular vote in the 2009 Partners in Preservation competition for the Boston metropolitan
area.
The State Waiting Station is leased from the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) by the Friends of the
Paragon Carousel. Since the start of the lease, the Friends have made many improvements, including a new roof and
creation of a museum. However, the building is in major need of restoration of the clock tower and repair to water
damage caused by storm floods and roof leaks.”
If you have any additional information needs please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
Bob
Robert L. Fultz, MPA
Director, Community Development & Planning
253 Atlantic Ave.
Hull, MA 02045
781-925-3595 Office
781-773-3818 Office Direct
617-688-5204 Mobile
1
Appendix I - 50
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Pam Wolfe <pwolfe@ctps.org>
Monday, September 08, 2014 7:15 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT)
Sean Pfalzer
FW: Transparency about Accessibility in Massachusetts State Transportation
Improvement Program
-----Original Message----From: Joel N. Weber II [mailto:joel@joelweber.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2014 5:14 PM
To: steve.woelfel@state.ma.us
Cc: speterson@ctps.org; emoore@ctps.org; ademchur@ctps.org; pwolfe@ctps.org; patricia.jehlen@state.ma.us;
denise.provost@state.ma.us; mbtamonitor@gmail.com; gm@mbta.com; lbrelsford@mbta.com; RSampson@mbta.com;
rpark@bostoncil.org; bhenning@bostoncil.org; kschneiderman@bostoncil.org; astout@bostoncil.org;
leland@lelandcheung.com; Joel N. Weber II
Subject: Transparency about Accessibility in Massachusetts State Transportation Improvement Program
I would like to see future versions of Massachusetts State Transportation Improvement Program documents include a
complete list of all Massachusetts transportation infrastructure which is not currently accessible to people with
disabilities, and a clear indication of whether the Transportation Improvement Program is expected to fund the
correction of those deficiencies over the period of the next four years it covers, whether other funding is expected to
correct those deficiencies during that same period of time, or whether MassDOT and the MPOs think that planning on
having those deficiencies remain for at least several years is appropriate.
The obvious set of deficiencies involves numerous MBTA commuter rail and subway stations not being wheelchair
accessible, but I would be very surprised if there are not others.
The current document does not provide anything remotely close to enough detail to figure any of this out, in spite of the
empty promise in the Public Participation Process part referring to ``the Commonwealth's commitment to transparency
and civic engagement''.
However, its part on air quality conformity demonstrates that a section discussing how well Massachusetts does or
doesn't comply with a federal law that is not trivial to comply with can perfectly well be included in this document.
I think that a detailed list of unfunded acessibility projects with cost estimates would be very helpful in facilitating a
discussion about whether other transportation projects should be deferred to accelerate accessibility improvements, or
to estimate how much additional transportation revenue the legislature ought to provide to get these improvements on
track. It might also be appropriate to explore whether a change to the formula that distributes Massachusetts' share of
federal funds to the various MPOs could improve the experience of the average Massachusetts resident who has a
disability.
Joel N. Weber II
225 Summer St #3
Somerville MA 02143
1
Appendix I - 51
Michael.Chong@dot.gov
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 2:58 PM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT); Woelfel, Steve (DOT)
Nicolas.Garcia@dot.gov; Noah.Berger@dot.gov; kristin.wood@dot.gov;
joanne.weinstock@dot.gov; leah.sirmin@dot.gov; brandon.wilcox@dot.gov; Betts,
William (DOT)
Draft STIP Comments
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Good Afternoon,
The STIP is in a good shape and are comments are listed below.
1) FAPO Charges - While our office previously approved paying for the FAPO office under an individual federal aid
project, this practice was stopped in 2004 upon the receipt of a policy memo from the FHWA Office of Budget
and Finance. As stated in this memo, charges like the FAPO can be claimed through an indirect cost rate.
Identified as “Other Statewide Items” line item
2) TAP Project Sponsor - "State DOTs and MPOs are not eligible entities as defined under 213(c)(4)(B) and
therefore are not eligible project sponsors for TAP funds. However, State DOTs and MPOs may partner with an
eligible entity project sponsor to carry out a project - 23 U.S.C. 213(c)(4)(B), ". Is there some documentation
that projects using TAP are locally sponsored?
3) Public Involvement – Including an introductory summary on how the public and interested parties can
participate in STIP development. The document would be informative to also include a summary of the
Statewide and MPO amendment/administrative modification procedures.
4) Statewide Program Categories- STIP shows no projects but shows funding as programmed (Ex RRxing)
5) AQ MoU - Page 2 of the AQ section indicated the last interagency consultation for Martha’s Vineyard was in
2013; there should have been something in 2014
Long Term Comments
1) Public Involvement (cont) - The STIP would be informative to also include a summary of MassDOT public
involvement efforts during STIP development and summary of the Statewide and MPO
amendment/administrative modification procedures
2) STIP Fields – Project sponsor, descriptions, phases, non-fed match source, AC/ACC descriptions could be
improved. Less dependency on Comments field. Formatting issues could be improved for project listings
3) Operations & Maintenance – The STIP does not demonstrate how projects will be implemented while federally
supported facilities will be operated and maintained. Information is not presented for the current STIP years.
4) Environmental Justice - Does the STIP or TIPs developed a demographic profile that includes identification of
the locations of socio-economic groups, including low-income and minority populations as addressed by the
Executive Order on Environmental Justice (EO#12898) and Title VI provisions? If so, how does the demographic
profile identify the locations of the socio-economic groups? What analysis is conducted in S/TIP project
selection to ensure that impacts are avoided and/or mitigated?
5) Bridge Condition Penalty – Please be aware
a.
b.
When will the bridge condition penalty under section 1106 (23 U.S.C. 119(f)(2), MAP-21 § 1106(a)) be applied?
Answer: In order to allow the States three complete years under the NHPP as determined by 23 U.S.C. 119(f)(2), FHWA will
examine bridge condition data submitted by the States in April 2014, 2015, and 2016. If the deck area on structurally deficient
NHS bridges exceeds the 10 percent bridge condition threshold for all three years, the penalty will be imposed on October 1,
2016 (the start of FY 2017).
What is the penalty if a State does not achieve the bridge condition threshold established in section 1106 (23 U.S.C. 119(f)(2),
MAP-21 § 1106(a))?
1
Appendix I - 52
c.
Answer: The penalty requires that an amount equal to 50 percent of the State's Highway Bridge Program (HBP) apportionment
in 2009 will be set aside from National Highway Performance Program (NHPP) funds to be used only for eligible projects on NHS
bridges.
Regards,
Michael Chong
Planning and Environment Program Manager
Federal Highway Administration
55 Broadway 10th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
617.494.3275
617.494.3355 (fax)
michael.chong@dot.gov
2
Appendix I - 53
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Woelfel, Steve (DOT)
Friday, September 12, 2014 9:28 AM
Allam, Sreelatha (DOT); Pounds, Bryan (DOT)
FW: comment on draft STIP
From: Lee Auspitz [mailto:jlauspitz@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 2:42 PM
To: Woelfel, Steve (DOT)
Subject: comment on draft STIP
TO: Steve Woelfel
RE: Proposal to correct Medford Hillside error in draft STIP
Dear Steve,
I write to add a compliance element to the comment by John Roland Elliott on the need to drop the inaccurate Medford
Hillside label from the description of the Phase I and II GLX station at College and Boston Avenues, as well as a report
that the GLX Project Team has already been taking irreversible steps in this direction.
I trust that it will be possible to honor this comment since yesterday’s deadline was a non-working day.
Federal regulations (OMB Circular A-16) require, as a condition of funding, adherence to federal geospatial standards in
all projects that directly or indirectly use analog or digital geospatial data. These mapping requirements are enforced by
reference in federal agency grants in aid. For example, the FTA Master Agreement incorporates them by reference in
Section 35. Penalties for non-compliance with federal regulations are typically decided at the time of final payment and
apply retroactively for the period of non-compliance.
Informed of the OMB regs, the GLX project team has been duly correcting its geographical usage. Until recently, the
GLX project map was the only digital map in current use to place the Medford Hillside label on the space where all other
updated maps (USGS, MassGIS, Google, Mapquest, Yahoo, Microsoft, MBTA bus route maps, etc.) place Tufts’ “College
Hill.” In correspondence with J. R. Elliott, MassGIS traces this error to a hand labeling of the MassGIS digital map
(“Oliver”) by staff of Mass DEP and carried through by EOT in the early years of GLX planning.
A new GLX project map introduced in late August has partially corrected this longstanding error, as has a report
submitted by the GLX project team to FTA in late July. The work of self-correction will not be complete until the
wording of the TIP/STIP removes the non-compliant usage.
Now that federal matching funds have been provisionally authorized for current GLX expenditures, it is a good time to
correct this error consistently in all project maps and in the TIP/STIP documents as well. You and others can certainly
verify from direct experience that at the time the Medford Hillside error was embedded into the process the responsible
personnel and consultants were not aware of OMB Circular A-16 and thus did not think to take into adequate account
the federal mapping standards for matching funds. Now that everyone has been informed of the federal standard, a
simple administrative correction would seem in order. If no correction is made, at the discretion of the OMB, penalties
and reductions in matching funds may be levied for violations of regulations at the time of final project payment—that
is, several years from now, retroactive to the entire period in which non-compliance occurred [See 49 CFR 18: 51 and 52]
1
Appendix I - 54
. The Commonwealth will agree to these regulations formally upon signing the full funding grant agreement (FFGA) later
this fall.
While there are provisions for exemptions, FOIA and public records inquiries to MassDOT, FTA and MBTA have yielded
no document or work product in which exemption from (or compliance with) OMB Circular A-16 has been
addressed. Instead, the relevant agencies have relied on an October 2010 letter on SIP compliance from MassDEP. But
the arguments for SIP compliance are made on air quality grounds and administrative discretion in the siting of stations-matters quite distinct from geospatial compliance under OMB regulations, which apply to all federal grants in aid
across the board, whether or not a SIP is involved. The author of the MassDEP letter in fact concludes with a disclaimer
that no claim to geographical expertise is involved.
In testimony before the Boston MPO, I and others have proposed a simple administrative corrective, permitted by MPO
practice in accordance with federal regulations. Corrections involving less than 10% of project cost do not require formal
amendment or a public hearing process. It is thus possible to eliminate or substitute for the erroneous label Medford
Hillside by administrative correction of the TIP/STIP. I have proposed using the Tufts name, in keeping with MBTA
practice elsewhere on the Green Line and in its mass transit station nomenclature more generally to use names of
universities and other non-profit institutions to identify station locations. (see attached). The Mayor of Medford has
submitted a TIP comment proposing “Tufts/Medford.” The Conservation Law Foundation proposed the course which
the GLX project team has now apparently adopted: simply striking “Medford Hillside” and leaving “College
Avenue.” The late August 2014 revision of the GLX project map uses “College Avenue” and “Medford Branch”,
properly eliminating the previous confusion of College Hill and Medford Hillside.
Since the STIP is now taken as the document of reference for purposes of federal funding, it would serve the interests of
the Commonwealth to correct the STIP use of Medford Hillside for the following reasons:
-- comply with professional standards of data accuracy
-- eliminate the risk of retroactive penalties to be applied post 2018 at the discretion of OMB
-- comport with usage by the City of Medford, MassGIS, USGS, MBTA bus route maps and all commercial digital
mapping services
-- provide an example of responsiveness to citizen input (this being the single most commented issue in the entire GLX
process)
-- provide an example of data integrity within a rule of law framework
-- demonstrate the continuing self-corrective capacity of democratic government
What is the downside to correcting the STIP/TIP and other remaining vestiges of erroneous usage? The idea that SIP
compliance supersedes OMB regulations is not one the state will want to put forward to the OMB in five years. Nor
does it seem a reasonable precaution against some (increasingly improbable) future lawsuit to retain what are now
known to be non-compliant geographical references.
The STIP comment process relies crucially on the role of the professionals receiving the comments to make those
corrections that seem warranted, including corrections in the light of new information of previously settled matters. It
therefore relies ultimately on trust in the self-corrective capacity of democratic government.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee
Lee Auspitz
2
Appendix I - 55