In this issue....

• State Releases Final Guidelines for MBTA Communities to Comply with Multifamily Zoning Requirement 

• Legislative Summary: Climate Bill, Infrastructure Bond Bill Signed Into Law

• Energy Funding Available for Framingham, Natick Small Businesses

• MetroWest Manufacturing Summit August 17th

• CMRPC Opens Survey for Long-Term Planning Initiative

• DOER Draft Stretch Energy Code Regulations: Public Comment Closes Friday

State Releases Final Guidelines for MBTA Communities

to Comply with Multifamily Zoning Requirement

Yesterday, the Baker-Polito Administration announced final compliance guidelines for new Section 3A of M.G.L c. 40A, enacted as part of the economic development bill in January 2021, which requires that an MBTA community shall have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multifamily housing is permitted as of right and meets other criteria set forth in the statute.

• Click here to access the final guidelines 
• Click here to download a letter from EOHED to impacted communities

A brief overview of changes implemented in the final guidelines, as opposed to the draft guidelines, is included below. 

In December 2021, the Department of Housing and Community Development released draft guidelines on the new multifamily zoning requirement for MBTA communities. From December 2021 to March 2022, the administration carried out a public comment and engagement process; nearly 400 public comments were received.

In total, 175 MBTA communities are subject to the new multifamily zoning requirement. MBTA communities must submit an action plan to the Department of Housing and Community Development by January 31st, 2023, and achieve full compliance in accordance with the following timetable:

• Rapid Transit (12 communities): December 31st, 2023
• Commuter Rail (69 communities): December 31st, 2024
• Adjacent Community (59 communities): December 31st, 2024
• Adjacent Small Town (35 communities): December 31st, 2025

As outlined in the law, noncompliant MBTA communities will not be eligible for funds from the following state resources: (1) the Housing Choice Initiative; (2) the Local Capital Projects Fund; or (3) the MassWorks Infrastructure Program.

30 of 36 495/MetroWest Partnership communities are defined as MBTA Communities.

The final guidelines included several changes requested during the public comment phase, including but not limited to:

• Revised Community Categories: MBTA Communities are now categorized as rapid transit, commuter rail, adjacent, or adjacent small town. The “bus service” category has been eliminated. 

• Significant Adjustments for Small and Rural Towns with No Transit Stations: The final guidelines eliminate the minimum land area requirement and reduce the multifamily unit capacity requirement for communities with a population of less than 7,000 or less than 500 residents per square mile.

• Changes to the Reasonable Size Criteria: The guidelines establish “circuit breakers” that prevent multi-family unit capacity from exceeding 25% of a community’s existing housing stock, or the minimum land from exceeding 1.5% of its total developable land area.  

• Tailored District Location Requirements: The portion of a multi-family zoning district that must be located within a half mile of a transit station now varies based on the amount of developable station area within each MBTA community. Communities with more developable station area land will be required to have more of their multi-family districts within a half mile of transit stations. A community with less than 100 developable acres within a half mile of a station will be free to choose any appropriate location.

• Multi-family Unit Capacity Tool: To help communities calculate multi-family unit capacity in a consistent, transparent, and data-driven way, a compliance model workbook tool has been created. The compliance model will provide a GIS land map for each municipality and calculate a zoning district’s multi-family unit capacity and gross density based on inputs provided by each community. This tool will be widely available for use in the fall.

Click here to access additional information about the final guidelines. 

Legislative Summary: Climate Bill,

Infrastructure Bond Bill Signed Into Law

Climate Bill: Governor Baker has signed H.5060, An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind, into law. A previous summary from the 495/MetroWest Partnership of the bill's key provisions can be accessed at this link. To access the full text of the legislation, click here. 

Infrastructure Bond Bill: On August 10th, Governor Baker signed H. 5151, An Act relative to Massachusetts's transportation resources and climate, colloquially referred to as the Infrastructure or Transportation Bond Bill, which authorized $11.4 billion in transportation spending. Note that inclusion in a bond bill, when signed into law, does not mean an item or project is imminently due to be funded, only that the administration has the authorization necessary to borrow the funds and utilize those funds for the designated purpose. 

Key funding authorizations include: 

• $2.81 billion for projects on the interstate and non-interstate federal highway system
• $1.27 billion for non-federally aided roadway and bridge projects and programs included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Public Law No. 117-58
• $85 million for state numbered routes and municipal roadways 
• $25 million for municipal roadways, including matching grants to municipalities and Complete Streets projects
• $20 million for Complete Streets projects, provided not less than 33 percent of grant funding shall be issued to cities and towns with a median household income below the average of the Commonwealth as a whole
• $25 million for Transportation Management Associations
• $82 million for statewide rail improvements; $6 million carve-out for Industrial Rail Access Program
• $64.9 million for maintenance of regional transit networks
• $145 million for transportation planning, including multimodal facilities
• $10 million for public realm improvements 
• $400 million to address MBTA safety concerns uncovered by the Federal Transit Administration’s safety inspection
• $275 million for planning, land takings, vehicle procurement, and construction for the East-West Rail project 

Several authorizations addressed infrastructure and service improvements to public transportation networks in the 495/MetroWest region including:

• $50 million for electrification of the Framingham/Worcester Line 
• $25 million to increase access to Framingham/Worcester Line in the City of Framingham
• $50 million for the development and construction of high-level platforms on the Framingham/Worcester and Fitchburg lines
• $1 million for the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority for expanded Sunday service 
• $2 million for parking expansion for the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority
• $6.3 million to the Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority for the purchase of electric buses, passenger vans and mini vans
• $2.5 million for solar panel installation on the Worcester Regional Transit Authority operations building 

Additionally, local projects authorized for funding include:

Acton:

• $2,000,000 for the synchronization of traffic lights on State Highway Route 2 in the towns of Acton, Concord and Lincoln
• $1,000,000 for the expansion of parking at the South Acton commuter rail station in the town of Acton

Ashland:

• $2,500,000 for planning, design, construction and any other costs associated with upgrades and improvements to the Ashland commuter rail station
• $500,000 for planning, design, construction and any other costs associated with traffic safety improvements on Route 135 near the Ashland community center

Bellingham:

• $500,000 for road and drainage improvements on First Avenue
• $500,000 for road and drainage improvements on Middle Avenue and Fourth Avenue 

Berlin:

• $500,000 for improvements to the rail trail

Foxborough: 

• $1,000,000 for a study of engineering, construction and maintenance of noise abatement along the section of interstate highway route 495 adjacent to the South Grove Street and Grove Street neighborhoods

Framingham:

• $4,500,000 to the city of Framingham for planning, design, construction and any other costs associated with drainage improvements
• $1,000,000 for the Metrowest Regional Transit Authority for expanded Sunday service
• $1,000,000 for the Massachusetts Port Authority for the Framingham Logan Express service for mitigation during construction of the Sumner Tunnel
• $2,000,000 for repairs to the Potter Road Bridge spanning Framingham to Wayland over the Sudbury River
• $2,000,000 for pedestrian and ADA improvements throughout Framingham
• $2,000,000 for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail and Chris Walsh Rail Trail in the city of Framingham
• $500,000 for traffic calming strategies in the city of Framingham
• $4,500,000 to the city of Framingham for planning, design, construction and any other costs associated with drainage improvements throughout Framingham

Franklin:

• $10,000,000 for the reconstruction of the intersection at Chestnut Street and Pleasant Street in Franklin

Grafton:

• $1,200,000 to the town of Grafton for sidewalk improvements

Holliston:

• $1,000,000 to the town of Holliston for planning, design, construction and any other costs associated with accessibility improvements to sidewalks throughout Holliston

Hopkinton:

• $1,000,000 to the town of Hopkinton for planning, acquisition, design, construction and any other costs associated with the extension of the Hopkinton Upper Charles trail

Marlborough:

• $4,000,000 for the repair and rehabilitation of the Court Street parking garage in Marlborough

Medfield:

• $1,000,000 for the town of Medfield for the complete reengineering, redesign and replacement of North Street including the construction of the sidewalk to enhance pedestrian safety

Medway:

• $500,000 for Route 109 access improvements at Choate Park, including a culvert, sidewalk, guardrails and fencing to complete the entrance to the new town green at Choate Park in Medway

Millis:

• $1,000,000 shall be expended for road improvements of Route 109 (Main Street) in Millis

Natick:

• $3,000,000 to the town of Natick for planning, design, construction and any other costs associated with the creation of a shared use path along Route 135 in the West Natick section of the town of Natick
• $4,000,000 for reconstruction of the Boden Lane Bridge in Natick

Norfolk:

• $1,000,000 for the town of Norfolk to replace the City Mills dam and bridge

Plainville: 

• $5,000,000 for roadway and intersection improvements near the intersection of Route 152 and Route 106 in North Attleboro and Plainville

Sherborn:

• $200,000 for intersection improvements of Maple and Washington Street in Sherborn

Shrewsbury:

• $5,000,000 for the rehabilitation and box widening of Route 20 from Route 9 to South Street in Shrewsbury

Stow:

• $1,600,000 for the Stow Minute Man Air Field for the design and permitting of a new “net 560 zero energy” airport administration building and a new Admin Annex/SRE building

Sudbury:

• $100,000 for the town of Sudbury for the ‘Go Sudbury!’ program offering subsidized rideshares and taxi rides
• $100,000 for the town of Sudbury for a new transit passenger van for the parks and recreation department to pilot an extended day program for children after school
• $424,000 for Complete Streets: Rank 1: Wayside Inn Road at Boston Post road in Sudbury 
• $672,000 for Complete Streets: Rank 7: Maynard Road Walkway to Hudson Road in Sudbury
• $792,000 for Complete Streets: Rank 9: Morse Road Multi Use Pathway in Sudbury
• $970,000 for Complete Streets: Rank 12: Landham Road walkway reconstruction and widening to improve walking and biking conditions, safety, connectivity and accessibility in Sudbury

Wayland:

• $1,000,000 for the town of Wayland for the extension of the Mass Central Rail Trail from where it currently ends in Wayland to the Sudbury line
• $2,000,000 for repairs to the Potter Road Bridge spanning Framingham to Wayland over the Sudbury River

Westborough:

• $1,200,000 for culvert replacements in the town of Westborough

Westford:

• $670,000 for the construction of a sidewalk on Plain road in the town of Westford

Wrentham:

• $30,000 for improvements to the intersection of state highway Route 1A and Green Street in the town of 844 Wrentham 
• $50,000 for a study on the feasibility of a downtown loop in the town of Wrentham
• $500,000 for improvements to the sidewalks on Creek street in the town of Wrentham
• $500,000 for downtown transportation improvement plans in the town of Wrentham

Energy Funding Available for Framingham, Natick Small Businesses

During the month of September 2022, Eversource will fund up to 90% of the cost of approved Mass Save energy efficiency projects for Natick and Framingham-based small businesses.

This funding is available for businesses that own or rent their space in Framingham or Natick. An eligible customer’s electric bill is usually less than $2,000 per month. To participate, businesses must complete a no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment with AECOM, Eversource’s small business contractor. To schedule an assessment in advance, please contact Irene Petruzzelli of AECOM at 617-371-4512 or [email protected].

Questions may be directed to the appropriate municipal staff in Natick and Framingham:

• Natick: Jillian Wilson Martin, Sustainability Director, [email protected], 508-647-6555
• Framingham: Shawn Luz, Sustainability Coordinator, [email protected], 508-532-5652

MetroWest Manufacturing Summit August 17th

Next week, the MassHire Metro South/West Career Center will host the next in a series of regional Manufacturing Summits, aimed at addressing the current labor shortage. Employers, education providers, training providers, workforce programs, municipalities, and community organizations will meet to discuss and develop solutions to current workforce challenges. The topic for this session is "Best Hiring Practices for Diversifying Your Applicant Pool."

The event will take place on Wednesday, August 17th, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM at Framingham State University's McCarthy Center (100 State Street in Framingham). Advance registration is required; registration information and additional details can be found on the event flyer, available at this link. Panelists will include David McLean, Re-Entry Services Manager for the Norfolk County Sheriff's Department; Anne Roberti, Director of Community Education for Framingham State University; Towma Rastad, Deputy Director DEI and Member Relations, MetroWest Chamber of Commerce; Doug Daigle, Director of Programming and YouthBuild, Training Resources of America; and Jack McKenna and Darren Bradshaw, Veterans' Employment Representatives for MassHire Metro South/West. Click here for additional event information. 

CMRPC Opens Survey for Long-Term Planning Initiative

The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) has begun IMAGINE 2050: A Vision for Central Massachusetts, a regional comprehensive planning initiative intended to establish long-range strategies for CMRPC's region. The project aims to identify the resources, problems, possibilities, and needs of the region, which will inform a plan to improve the welfare and prosperity of those who live, work, and visit Central Massachusetts.  

CMRPC is asking stakeholders to complete a brief survey, available online here. This 3-question survey asks Central Massachusetts residents to "imagine 2050" through the lenses of Economy, Environment, and Equity. All submitted surveys will be considered as the vision statement and goals of Imagine 2050 are crafted. These findings will in turn affect funding priorities in Central MA for the next 30 years.

Click here to take the survey online or to find a paper survey location near you.

495/MetroWest Partnership communities located within CMRPC's service area are Berlin, Grafton, Hopedale, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Upton, and Westborough.

DOER Draft Stretch Energy Code Regulations:

Public Comment Closes Tomorrow

In July, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released draft code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code. The public comment period will remain open until 5:00 PM EST tomorrow August 12th. Written comments are encouraged via email to [email protected] with the words "BUILDING CODE COMMENTS" in the subject line. 

• Click here to access a summary document explaining the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language

• Click here to access the Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections)

• Click here to access the Commercial and Other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections)

DOER provided an overview of the draft code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code, along with responses to frequently asked questions, during a recorded webinar on July 7th; click here to access the slide presentation from that webinar. 

Click here to access additional information and resources from DOER regarding the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code.