Minutes: June 22, 1994 - Selectmen Meeting
Selectmen attending: Peter Jones, Catherine Kuchinski, Clerk and
Charles Flynn with Joseph Nugent, Executive Secretary to the
Board. Invited Guests: Robert Egan, MBTA Old Colony RR Project
Manager with Pam Wolfe of Sverdrup.
Meeting Opened at 7:25pm: Kuchinski invited Bob Egan to give
opening informational remarks on the project with questions from
those residents attending the meeting to follow his presentation.
Egan reviewed the process of the 40 plus months of the final
design stage which began in September of 1992. The MBTA must
award 23 contracts for the project. He noted that there are 30
miles of track on the Plymouth to Braintree line with 7 bridges.
The Plymouth Line contract for track, fencing, drainage, platform
is to go out for bid in July with contract awarded usually within
three months - work could begin late fall, 1994. The canopied
station platform length is designed as 800 feet. Drawings
showing the location of proposed fencing along the right-of-way
are at the Selectmen's office and available for viewing.
At the conclusion of his initial remarks, Egan stated that
the MBTA has made the decision to use concrete ties for the
project and that bids would be sought shortly. Wooden ties
(creosote treated) to be used for noise or vibration mitigation.
Dave Harris (abutter) asked about (1) the clearing of the
bed layout: Vegetation will be removed within the boundary of the
Right of Way (ROW); ROW maintenance will be mechanical with
herbicides also used as permitted under required Conservation
decisions; (2) Whistle blowing at crossings: Department of
Public Utilities (DPU) requires certain warning sound actions at
crossings, no additional sound screening to be provided. Egan
noted that the Town would have to approach DPU to obtain a waiver
for whistles bearing in mind the issue of safety; (3) Travel
Speed: the train could travel up to 60 miles per hour. The
actual rate of acceleration over a certain track span not known
but will be provided by the T; (4) No environmental impacts for
diesel fumes emissions, noise or vibration were identified in the
Environmental Impart Report (EIR); (5) in discussing the
abutting proposed staging area (approx 1/3 acre) Harris was
assured the working hours for the project would be between 7am
and 3:30pm and that the contractor would have to restore the site
and that MBTA believes presence on the line would go a long way
to decreasing the impact of dirt bikes etc to the staging sites
and track in general. (6) Freight service: no Bay Colony service
during the construction phase - afterwards, infrequent use during
off hours.
Noreen O'Toole (Town Planner) asked (1) material to be used
for passing sidings - will be concrete ties; (2) noting the
locomotive diesel tank capacity as 2000 gallons, she asked for
the contingency plan for leakage (spills) and or dangerous item
on the track: Egan did not have the contingency particulars but
would contact the safety department. Nugent said that Fire Chief
has attended meeting with MBTA on this issue. Egan to have
information discussed with the Town's fire chief forwarded to
Town. In essence it was discussed that back-up equipment and/or
clean-up materials should be stored within easy regional reach of
south shore towns and/or MBTA should provide training to local
personnel to help minimize danger; MBTA safety department will
also arrange a meeting with the Police Chief shortly.
Egan explained the grade crossing procedure; while train at
the station the gates will be open for traffic to move. Once
ready to proceed through the intersection, the gates, lights and
bells would be activated and the intersection would be cleared
within 45 to 60 seconds. No lights presently planned for Route
27 entrance into the station.
Kuchinski asked about the fencing criteria and materials: 6
foot high galvanized quality chain link fence similar to other
projects. Three miles of fencing to be installed along the ROW
in Hanson at pedestrian areas, homes and businesses. If
residents review the fencing plan at Town Hall and feel property
was missed, residents are to contact Selectmen's office for
notification to the MBTA.
Mark Vess questioned Egan on (1) diesel spills in aquifer:
the response time factor within the aquifer noting the sole
source water supply and remoteness of track. Having brought this
and other concerns up before at meetings with the T he is not
accepting the "I'll get back to you response" at this late date
into the project. Answers must be forthcoming to the Town on
these important issues. Egan noted spill mitigation is safety
issue and has been discussed with fire chief; (2) crossing
whistles: Vess felt T was copping out on the noise issue for
abutters and by placing the need for Town to obtain the DPU
waiver; (3) Traffic issue: noting newspaper articles from 1988
forward, Vess questioned preparations to deal with the backlog of
traffic the train will cause at the station and at crossings.
Egan said that traffic and station effect and mitigation measures
on Route 27 traffic would be discussed at the next meeting in the
Fall; (4) Herbicides use: are there any agreements with abutters
for not spraying near gardens or play areas? Egan said spraying
and vegetation management plans would be filed with the Town's
conservation commission. Vess noted Edison's spraying against
agreement with neighbors; (5) Assessment issue: Vess noted
MBTA's Polechronis statements against assessments. Egan stated
that if a Town were not presently assessed, it would take an act
of the legislature to have the Town assessed. Egan thought a
member of the MBTA's intergovernmental department should be asked
to attend a meeting to address this issue specifically with the
Town.
Gary Hall (Planning Board) asked questions on (1) sidewalks
and curb cuts on Route 27: Egan noted there was a pedestrian
walkway into the station designed and is open to further comments
to incorporate into the conceptual design shown tonight. Curb
cuts not yet on plan; (2) signage at crossing: will be notice of
crossing and the usual paving markings; (3) Concrete ties: how
many miles of concrete ties to be used was unknown at this time.
Egan should know next week and will forward the information to
the Town at that time. Hall noted a past problem with the
disintegration of the concrete ties. Egan noted that and said
that the T would be using the AM TRACK specification for the ties
in their bidding process. He was asked for areas were the wooded
ties would be used for noise or vibration and again was unsure at
this point. In response to a question by Ron Thomas, Egan did
note that an insular pad would be used along the length of the
track. More definite information would be presented at the next
meeting in the Fall.
Peter Jones asked about the (1) service schedule: trains
will leave Kingston between 5:30 and 5:45 and then every 30
minutes during peak travel (until 8:30am) and then every two
hours until 3:30 when trains should again be traveling every 30
minutes until 6pm. The last train will leave South Station at
10:30pm; (2) interaction with the schools: Superintendents have
been contact by the safety department with program called
"Officer Friendly" for safety issues; and (3) the width of the
ROW: is approx 50 to 60 feet depending on topography.
Again the fencing issue was discussed with questions of any
additional screening to be provided by the T. Egan stated that
the T will be trying to keep natural vegetation and has noted
several areas for sensitivity. The T believes a review of plan
as proposed could be done on a case by case basis. Resident
should contact Nugent for such a review. Residents should review
the plans now because this is the best time to address problems
while in the design phase.
Dave Harris asked about (1) plowing the track especially in
heavy storms: locomotive can run plow; the station parking lot
plow sub-contractor will be responsible for clearing Route 27 of
snow residue. Jones asked if chemical deicers to be used - No;
and (2) various sidings located along track (Hawkes Ave etc):
these will be taken out during upgrade of the track and can only
be restored by application to the freight carrier.
Ron Thomas asked if a maintenance-away facility would be in
operation in this area. No plans have been made for this. A
building in Abington is considered for storage only. Plans call
for maintenance equipment to come from South Boston yard.
Egan and Wolfe stated the travel time from Hanson to South
Station would be 45 to 50 minutes. The cost of the ride - $3.50
each way with reduced monthly tickets available. Parking to be
$1.00/day. MBTA will own the station and parking lot site.
Construction and staging areas will be inspected by field
supervisors who will be working daily along side the contractors.
Construction contracts have performance bond language for damages
and penalties. Nugent asked for procedure to contact person(s)
acting as troubleshooter for the job. Egan noted that Nugent
would be invited to attend the Pre-Construction Meeting with the
contractors conducted by the MBTA. A Resident Engineer will be
assigned to the Town. Job meetings are usually held every two
weeks. If the Town wanted an update visit on a regular basis -
that could be arranged.
Vess asked about parking lot expansion citing the 1988
VanOrman study and T's 1988 estimate for 250 cars: Egan does
not believe Hanson is slated for any expansion from the 350 (380)
car lot; if expansion were done, a separate ENF is required.
O'Toole asked if any other Town were planning to provide any
additional parking lot with transportation. Egan felt it could
be done.
Flynn asked for the speed at other crossings i.e. Franklin
Street near the high school noting teenage drivers. Dave Harris
asked for video to be incorporated into local drivers' education
program. Egan to work on that with T's Fran Mulhern at safety
office.
Egan noted station would have bicycle rack. Design is an
open bow shape and has been quite popular at other stations.
Details will be available at the Fall meeting.
Again the need to handle traffic - back-ups, turning etc on
Route 27 needs to be addressed. Egan to meet with the Planning
Board this summer to go over various concerns.
Police Chief Berry questioned station lighting - sodium
vapor lights to be used.
Lucy Harriman asked for the total of miles of track within
Hanson - question could not be answered but will be provided.
Thomas asked about any plans to lease or rent to vendors at
the station site. No plans. Contact would have to be made to
the MBTA for permission.
Gerry LeBlanc (Conservation) asked again for current planned
safeguards to prevent leaks. Egan felt that an operations person
should attend a separate meeting on this issue and would work
with LeBlanc to set same up this summer. Egan will also have an
operations person at the next meeting with the Selectmen in the
Fall.
Egan gave a short wrap-up and he and Kuchinski thanked
everyone for attending the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm.
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