In this issue....

• Welcome New Members of the 495/MetroWest Legislative Delegation

• Virtual Public Information Meeting Scheduled on 495/90 Interchange Project (Fruit Street Bridge)

• DOER Releases Stretch Code Guidance

• T-Mobile Grant Program for Cities and Towns



• MAPC Accepting TAP Applications for Early Consideration Deadline

• Transporation Working Groups: Regional Priorities for Commuter Rail, RTAs, Roadway Projects

Welcome New Members of the 495/MetroWest Legislative Delegation

On Wednesday, January 4th, the 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State Senators and Representatives who will serve during the 2023-2024 term, were sworn into office.

The 495/MetroWest region is fortunate to be served by eight Senators and twenty Representatives. Due to redistricting following the 2020 decennial U.S. Census, legislative districts at both the state and federal level have changed since the previous session.

While the majority of the region's state legislative delegation are continuing their service, five new Representatives now represent 495/MetroWest communities. They are:

Representative James Arena-DeRosa

8th Middlesex District

Partnership Communities: Holliston, Hopkinton, Millis, Sherborn

Representative Simon Cataldo

14th Middlesex District

Partnership Community: Acton

Representative Kate Donaghue

19th Worcester District

Partnership Communities: Framingham, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough

Representative Priscila S. Sousa

6th Middlesex District

Partnership Community: Framingham

Representative Marcus S. Vaughn

9th Norfolk District

Partnership Communities: Norfolk, Plainville, Medfield, Millis, Wrentham

The 495/MetroWest Partnership welcomes our new Representatives, and looks forward to working with the entire delegation to ensure that the voice of our region is heard on Beacon Hill. To see a complete listing of the region's legislative delegation, including which 495/MetroWest communities each legislator represents, visit the updated "Legislative Delegation" page on our website.

Virtual Public Information Meeting Scheduled on 495/90 Interchange Project (Fruit Street Bridge)

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will host a virtual Public Information Meeting on the 75% Design of the Fruit Street Bridge & Ramp improvements on January 25th at 6:00 PM. The meeting will begin with a presentation by the project team. Attendees can view plans for the Fruit Street Bridge & Ramp ES/SE and ask questions.

The virtual public meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 25th; click here to register for the meeting. 

The purpose of the I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvements project is to provide a safe and efficient interchange of the interstate highways I-495 and I-90 while also alleviating traffic congestion. This interchange carries hundreds of thousands of vehicles per day between two of Massachusetts's most significant roadways. In November, the 495/MetroWest Partnership's Transportation Committee hosted MassDOT for a presentation on the project; click here to access the slide deck from that presentation, which provides an overview of the broader project. 

DOER Releases Stretch Code Guidance

The Commonwealth’s Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has released draft Technical Guidance for the new Massachusetts Stretch Codes and Specialized Opt-in Code. The draft is an instructional guideline intended to assist building officials, designers, builders, and industry professionals with commercial and residential stretch code implementation; updates to the Stretch Code, including the formation of a new municipal opt-in net-zero code were finalized in December 2022.

The draft Technical Guidance includes three documents: 

• 2023 Technical Guidance document
• Relative Performance Compliance and Targeted Performance Compliance appendices
• An appendix to the Targeted Performance Compliance section containing loads and schedules

DOER is seeking public comment on these three documents. Written comments can be submitted electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the words "TECHNICAL GUIDANCE" in the subject line or by mail to Ian Finlayson, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, 9th floor, Boston, MA 02114. Comments will be accepted until 5:00PM EST on February 2nd, 2023. 

T-Mobile Grant Program for Cities and Towns

T-Mobile is accepting applications for their nationwide Hometown Grant Program for the first quarter of 2023. In partnership with Smart Growth America and Main Street America, T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant awards up to $50,000 in funding for infrastructure or revitalization efforts focused on improving communal spaces that help foster local connections. Hometown Grants are awarded every quarter to up to 25 small cities and towns.

Municipalities with 50,000 residents or less are eligible to apply.

Proposals will be accepted on a quarterly basis. Proposals for the current quarter are due by April 1st, 2023; click here to access application materials.

Proposals should be three to five pages, including, but not limited to:

• Detailed description of project
• Detailed budget, including breakdown of budget line items
• Project timeline

“Shovel ready” plans should include:

• Outline of expected town outcomes, demonstrating how the project or strategy will lead to the anticipated result/change
• Details on permits needed/obtained, if applicable, to begin work upon receipt of funds
• Any additional companies/business partnerships to be contracted for the work

All proposals should include up to 5 letters of support from local government and/or community organizations, partners or members, demonstrating community alignment, engagement, and consensus for the proposed project. Applicants will be notified 30-60 days after the end of each quarter on the status of their submission. 

MAPC Accepting TAP Applications for Early Consideration Deadline

MAPC is accepting applications for their Technical Assistance Program (TAP) until Monday, January 16th. Applications may be submitted any time throughout the year, but MAPC recommends applying by January 16th to have a project considered when the most funding is available.

TAP is a funding program that enables and assists cities and towns in implementing projects that are beneficial to the community.

Prospective applicants can apply by completing the Project Concept Application Form.

In 2023, projects that address one or more of the following areas will be prioritized for funding:

• Advancing racial and social equity by breaking down barriers to housing, economic mobility, positive health outcomes, and public safety. Projects that demonstrate strong partnerships between municipalities and community anchors or organizations are preferred.
• Multiple communities working together to better understand and address shared challenges. This also includes projects that can serve as a model for other communities.
• Compliance with the new Housing Choice law, including Section 3A MBTA Communities. MAPC will prioritize working with communities who are committed to including Affordable Housing provisions in new or updated zoning regulations.

Questions about the application process may be directed to Andrea Harris-Long at aharris-long@mapc.org or Raúl González at rgonzalez@mapc.org. 

495/MetroWest Partnership communities that are served by MAPC include Acton, Ashland, Bellingham, Bolton, Boxborough, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Norfolk, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, and Wrentham.

Transportation Working Groups: Regional Priorities for

Commuter Rail, RTAs, Roadway Projects

In accordance with our 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, the 495/MetroWest Partnership's Transportation Committee will be establishing working groups for the purpose of reviewing and updating regional priorities on the key transportation topics of Commuter Rail service, Regional Transit Authority services, and roadway projects of regional significance. Partnership stakeholders are invited to express interest in participating by utilizing this brief form.

The Commuter Rail Working Group will consider what improved commuter rail service entails in today's world along the Franklin, Fitchburg, and Framingham-Worcester Lines. The group will consider current service levels, including off-peak, reverse commute, and express services, reliability, scheduling, station infrastructure and accessibility, ease of parking, and capital improvements. The group will also consider development patterns and zoning regulations, such as Housing Choice, that support ridership growth and a modal shift away from single occupancy vehicles.

The Regional Transit Authorities Working Group will consider what robust RTA service means in the 495/MetroWest region. The working group will consider historic challenges and analyze current conditions to determine where there are unmet needs. The group will review past organizational comments on interconnectivity and consider goals on that topic, and consider strategies which may address service provisions, operating hours, funding streams, and scheduling coordination with other agencies. Cross-RTA and cross RTA-MBTA services currently operating in the region will be reviewed. The group may also consider emerging mobility trends and considerations, such as fare free fixed-route service, the sprouting of demand response services throughout the region, and what role Transit Management Associations (TMAs) can play in enhancing workforce commuting options.

The Roadway Projects Review Working Group will review roadway, interchange, and intersection projects that significantly impact regional mobility and address safety and operational concerns. The group will cultivate a list of such projects similar to the 495/MetroWest Partnership "Transportation Nightmares" work undertaken in both 2004 and 2014. This group will only consider roadway projects with regional impact, as opposed to projects located entirely within a single municipality which do not impact traffic in another. 

Time Commitments: These groups will meet virtually, during the first and second quarters of 2023. Between 3 and 5 meetings are anticipated for each. Participation is open to all interested stakeholders. The role of the working groups is advisory in nature. Click here to express interest in taking part in one or more working group.