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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-06-22-HATS-min Hanscom Are Towns Committee DRAFT Meeting Minutes June 22, 2017 HATS Selectmen: Suzanne Barry, Lexington; Jonathan Dwyer, Lincoln; Steven Ng, Concord; Mike Rosenberg, Bedford. Other HATS members: Margaret Coppe and Richard Canale, Lexington. Others in attendance: Jessica Casserly, public affairs, Hanscom Air Force Nase, Anthony Gallagher, Massport public affairs, Amber Goodspeed, manager, airport administration, Hanscom Field, Minute Man National Historical Park Discussion with Paul Regan, executive director, MBTA Advisory Board Mr Regan said the Legislature has approved a $2 billion MBTA budget New legislation covering the MBTA,s Fiscal Control Board charges it with reducing costs by$75 million The byword's goal is to modernize and achieve budget efficiencies. Besides fares and local assessments, revenue sources include a percentage of the sales tax and a $185 million special appropriation. The authority still has an $85 million structural deficit. He also mentioned a new working capital reserve fund. Mr Regan delineated variables that could ensure budget stability cost containment for The Ride, privatizing some maintenance of buses, and retiree pensions Mr Regan said the unfuinded liability could reach $1 billion over 10 years. Recent disappointing returns could cost an additional $10 million. Mr. Regan outlined some key issues concerning commuter rail: • Summer weekend closings are planned through most of the north and part of the south, to allow installation of federally-mandated train controls The controls feature sensors that control speed and prohibit trains from operating with a certain distance of each other. • For the past couple of months in the season, new locomotives were not at full service during snow events. Plans call for upgrading the entire fleet of locomotives by December 2018, The current fleet suffers from availability and reliability problems There hasn't been an entirely new fleet for 40 years Purchasing in bulk will facilitate parts replacement and maintenance • There are efforts to increase the regional impact of commuter rail, such as better scheduling for reverse commutes. • The MBTA is investing more money and attention on commuter rail marketing • There are efforts to improve collection of fares. Mr. Regan explained plans for automated collections through electronic chips embedded in various kinds of cards. This will allow variable pricing depending on time of day. One goal is to eliminate cash transactions, which will allow the use of all doors The request for proposals for this feature is more than a year away Mr Canale noted that the MBTA is no longer the only game in town, as residents increasingly consider regional transportation. A fare structure covering multiple systems would be welcome. He also noted recent plans to eliminate some stops on the MBTA bus route covering Lexington and Bedford, and asked who is responsible to infrastructure improvements that could preserve some of the stops. He also asked about the impetus for the campaign Mr Regan replied that the bus stop streamlining effort is an effort to keep buses on time He added that bus stop selection should be locally driven An ideal rime to work with the MBTA on bus stop placement would be during road reconstruction projects. Mr. Dwyer, acknowledging that the MBTA doesn't have the budget to fund major service improvements, asked if different agencies can work together. Mr. Regan said that at some point improvements will have to be made to the interchanges of Routes 93 north and 95 south and 128 These billion-dollar projects will result in major traffic congestion, and the timing would be right foir implementation of bus lanes on the highway Mr. Dwyer and Mr. Canale each mentioned the long-discussed multi-modal transportation facility conceived for the area near the intersection of Routes 20 and 128 at the Waltham-Weston line. Asked about prospects for changes in federal outlays, Mr. Regan noted that the President's infrastructure plans could include mayor state transportation projects He noted that Massachusetts has been very aggressive about obtaining federal matching funds Now the questions is whether allocation formulas will change. Mr. Canale added that the administration may advocate privatization, has this worked well in New England? Mr. Regan replied that some success has been achieved. Mr. Dwyer inquired about rush-hour conditions around Alewife Station. Ms. Coppe asked whether there are plans to expands the garage Mr Regan said the MBTA cannot afford that expansion Ms Coppe also mentioned the inconvenience of renewing senior cards, which discourages use Mr Regan said the system needs to be simplified and marketed through cities and towns. Municipal highlights Mr Rosenberg noted the success of the Regional Housing Services Office, which originated after a HATS conversation about regional approaches to government Mr. Canale reported that a representative of the American Association of Retired People spoke at a recent MAGIC meeting about aging in area communities. He said there will be a regional forum on this subject, which may represent an opportunity for another regional entity. Air Force base, airfield,transportation topics Ms. Casserly said Hanscom Air Force base expects to hold a July 27 homecoming celebration for individuals recently returned from deployments. The bass also will mark th 70th birthday of the Air Force in September. Ms Goodspeed said she discussed with the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission plans to resurface the primary runway, known as 11-29, during August. Mr. Rosenberg noted that May operations at Hanscom increased, probably at least in part due to runway resurfacing at Logan. Mr. Gallagher noted that the Massport Community Advisory Committee met two weeks ago. The agenda focused on noise issues related to Logan International Airport Massport will be creating a"fly-quiet program,"he said, including noise-based landing fees