Draft Memorandum for the Record
Community Advisory Council Meeting
February 9, 2026, Meeting Minutes
2:00 PM–3:30 PM, Zoom
Karl Alexander, Vice Chair, representing the Mystic River Watershed Association
Meeting Agenda
1. Introductions
Karl Alexander (Mystic River Watershed Association) called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM. Members and guests attending the meeting introduced themselves. (For attendance list, see page 4.)
2. Vice Chair’s Report—Karl Alexander, Mystic River Watershed Association
K. Alexander shared an overview of the agenda for the February Community Advisory Council meeting.
3. Public Comments
There were no public comments.
4. Approval of January 12, 2026, Meeting Minutes
A motion to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2026, meeting was made by A Better City (Scott Mullen) and seconded by Abundant Housing MA (Jesse Kanson-Benanav). The minutes were approved.
5. Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Discrete Studies Discussion—Olivia Saccocia, MPO Staff
Olivia Saccocia (MPO staff) presented potential discrete study ideas for the federal fiscal year 2027. MPO staff developed a subset of five proposals based on feasibility and their alignment with long-range transportation goals and agency objectives.
O. Saccocia facilitated a discussion with members on the opportunities and challenges of the five studies.
Discussion
The Roadway Pricing Technical Evaluation Phase Two study seeks to evaluate trade-offs among different roadway-pricing strategies. The analysis will compare equity and revenue outcomes and inform future policy discussions. Will Palmer (TransitMatters) stated strong support for the study and highlighted the potential regional benefits. Jason Palitsch (495/MetroWest Partnership) stated support for studying roadway pricing with consideration to regional equity and communities that are not served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Maha Aslam (LivableStreets Alliance) discussed the regional significance of roadway pricing and how revenue will be reinvested. S. Mullen, O. Saccocia, and Rose McCarron (MPO staff), discussed how the study will expand on the findings from the Phase One study with considerations to regional equity and mode shift. K. Alexander, R. McCarron, and Reggie Ramos (Transportation for Massachusetts) discussed the possible implications of roadway pricing on environmental justice communities. R. Ramos provided support for the MPO’s roadway pricing efforts and discussed the importance of reinvesting in public transit improvements. Paulina Muratore (Conservation Law Foundation) and R. McCarron discussed the opportunities to define the project scope given the range of the cost estimate.
The Impact of Parking Supply on Property Values study seeks to identify evidence-based findings on how parking supply relates to residential and commercial property sale values. J. Kanson-Benanav voiced support for the study and noted that data and findings from the study can help advance state- and city-wide policy changes. J. Palitsch discussed the importance of the study given the lack of adequate housing supply. Morgan Griffiths (Town of Natick) noted the significance of the study to gather more data to inform constituents about housing and parking related issues.
The Representing the Experience of Limited Mobility Individuals Phase Two study seeks to provide a library of variables and recommended metrics to characterize travel impacts and system performance for people with limited mobility. Meg von Lossnitzer (Mystic Valley Elder Services) voiced support for the study. K. Alexander and Galen Mook (MassBike) noted the importance of network unity, which can be improved through regional data and policy recommendations.
The Transportation Network Company (TNC) Trip Patterns and Mobility Impacts in the Boston Region study seeks to determine whether TNC trips complement or compete with transit at specific locations to inform future regional mobility planning. Sophia Galimore (Watertown Transportation Management Association) stated that funds from the Watertown TNC support the Watertown shuttle services and funds from TNC trips are critical to the transportation network.
The Opportunities for the Boston Region MPO to Support Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) study seeks to provide recommendations for how the MPO can support the objective of TOD and the implementation of the MBTA Communities Act. J. Kanson-Benanav discussed the role of the MBTA Communities Act to address the housing shortage in Massachusetts. J. Kanson-Benanav noted that the study should highlight how the MPO can support compliant communities. M. Griffiths noted the opportunities for TOD to be implemented into MPO processes, such as a criterion on the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) or technical assistance. Emily Granoff (City of Chelsea) stated that Chelsea is densely populated and a rapid-bus community. E. Granoff discussed opportunities to improve bus service frequency if municipalities meet a ridership threshold.
6. Public Engagement Plan Discussion—Sean Rourke, MPO Staff
S. Rourke provided an overview of the development process of the MPO’s Public Engagement Plan. The Public Engagement Plan is required by federal regulation, documents public engagement strategies and practices, and ensures stakeholders of all types have meaningful and continuous opportunities to provide input. MPO staff are interested in updating the Public Engagement Plan to bring the plan into alignment with changes and improvements in practices.
S. Rourke presented a timeline for the 2026 Plan update, highlighting key engagement opportunities for the Community Advisory Council.
Discussion
S. Mullen and S. Rourke discussed that all MPOs maintain a Public Participation Plan to remain certified to receive federal funding through US Department of Transportation. Public Participation Plans are not required to be updated on a specific basis.
7. Member Items
R. Ramos announced that Transportation for Massachusetts will be opening applications for The Champion’s Institute in February.
8. Adjourn
A motion to adjourn was made by the 495/MetroWest Partnership (Jason Palitsch) and seconded by TownGreen (Maureen Aylward). The motion carried.
Attendees
|
Member Municipalities |
Representatives and Alternates |
|
Chelsea |
Emily Granoff |
|
Natick |
Morgan Griffiths |
|
Community-Based Organizations |
Attendees |
|
495/MetroWest Partnership |
Jason Palitsch |
|
A Better City |
Scott Mullen |
|
Abundant Housing MA |
Jesse Kanson-Benanav |
|
Bike to the Sea |
Jonah Chiarenza |
|
Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation (CSNDC) |
Jacynda Epenshade |
|
Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) |
Paulina Muratore |
|
Livable Streets Alliance |
Maha Aslam |
|
MA Healthy Aging Collaborative |
James Fuccione |
|
MassBike |
Galen Mook, Alexis Hosea-Abbott |
|
Mystic River Watershed Association |
Karl Alexander |
|
Mystic Valley Elder Services |
Meg von Lossnitzer, Sheila Buckland |
|
Prevention Research Center (PRC) on Nutrition and Physical Activity, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health |
Angie Cradock |
|
TownGreen |
Maureen Aylward |
|
Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA) |
Reggie Ramos, Pete Wilson |
|
Transit Matters |
Will Palmer |
|
Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) |
Sophia Galimore |
|
Other Attendees |
Affiliation |
|
JR Frey |
Town of Hingham |
|
Maria Foster |
MassDOT |
|
Isabella MacKinnon |
MBTA Advisory Board |
|
Natalie Sandoval |
|
|
MPO Staff/Central Transportation Planning Staff |
|
Carmen Baskauf |
|
Jia Huang |
|
Ethan Lapointe |
|
Lauren Magee |
|
Rose McCarron |
|
Meghan O' Connor |
|
Sean Rourke |
|
Olivia Saccocia |
|
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