Montachusett Regional Planning Commission

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK MONTACHUSETT REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (MRPC) Mar 31 2025 12:39 pm REMOTE MEETING ONLY THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025, 7:00 PM MRPC MEETING MATERIALS: March 6, 2025 MRPC Meeting Materials MINUTES 1. Open Meeting, Introductions and Announcements Chair L. Shifrin called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm and announced this meeting will be recorded to ensure we have an accurate record of our discussion. If anyone has any concerns about being recorded, please let us know. This meeting is held under Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, signed by Governor Healey on March 29, 2023, allowing local and regional governments to hold public meetings remotely or in a hybrid fashion. All votes will be taken by roll call. Roll Call Followed: A. Pease – present A. Reid – present B. Yocum – present D. Thornton – present G. Tillotson – present G. Corbosiero – present K. Norton - present K. Nartowicz – present L. Shifrin – present P. Cunningham – present R. Bialecki – present R. Swartz - present 2. MRPC Minutes – February 6, 2025, and February 26, 2025 – Approval of Commissioners Requested Having no objections, R. Bialecki moved to accept February 6, 2025 and February 26, 2025 minutes. The motion was seconded. 1  Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes A. Reid – yes B. Yocum – yes D. Thornton – yes G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes K. Nartowicz – yes L. Shifrin – yes P. Cunningham- yes R. Bialecki - yes R. Swartz – yes 3. Cash Schedule – February 2025 – Acceptance of Commissioners Requested R. Swartz presented the February 2025 cash schedule. The opening balance for February 1, 2025, $577,556.27, total receipts, and transfers for the month $191,548.42, total cash on hand before this warrant $769,104.69, less the amount of this warrant $197,080.06, left a balance after the warrant of $572,024.63. Having no objections, G. Corbosiero moved to accept the cash schedule as presented subject to audit. Motion was seconded. Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes A. Reid – yes B. Yocum – yes D. Thornton – yes G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes K. Nartowicz – yes L. Shifrin – yes P. Cunningham- yes R. Bialecki - yes R. Swartz – yes 4. Annual Audit Presentation, FY24 Roland Lambalot, CPA – Acceptance of Commissioners Requested Roland Lambalot, CPA presented an overview of the FY 24 audit. The audit reports reflect an unmodified opinion on the financial position of MRPC. Highlights of the overview included: • No new GASB pronouncements • State Retirement Dispute • Blended Component Unit – MEC • Schedule of Indirect Cost Rate • Schedule of Revenues and Expenditures Allocated by Contract/Activity • Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards • Statement of Net Position • Statement of Revenues and Expenditures 2  • Statement of Revenues and Expenditures • Impact of Settlement of Retirement Issues Having no objections, R. Bialecki moved to accept the draft audit as presented. Motion was seconded. Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes A. Reid – yes B. Yocum – yes D. Thornton – yes G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes K. Nartowicz – yes L. Shifrin – yes P. Cunningham- yes R. Bialecki - yes R. Swartz – yes R. Lambalot announced that he is retiring as our auditor and recommended a new audit firm, Anstiss & Co., who recently merged with Grassi Advisors. They have a segregated governmental and non-profit arm. They area experienced with regional planning agencies such as NMCOG and Martha’s Vineyard. They will also be doing CMRPC and MVPC. They function with the same software, and they know the underlying legislation that you operate under. Additionally, regarding the OPEB, R. Lambalot recommended we set up a trust fund and fund it at a two-year level. This would show that we are committed to the benefit of the employees. G. Eaton followed by saying that this all comes down to the state legislature which has competing pieces of legislation in front of it. There are seven or eight thousand pieces of legislation that are filed every year in the Commonwealth, two to four hundred actually get passed into law and even though there has been a lot of discussion on both competing pieces of legislation we basically see no end in sight. The goal is to not have to pay the proposed bill as it would put every RPA out of business. L. Shifrin asked at what point does MRPC become responsible to pay? G. Eaton responded it would be when the legislation passes, and the governor signs an act that states the percentage of payroll. We won’t know until the legislation passes. 5. Guest Speaker Senator James Eldridge; Nashoba Valley Medical Center – Information Only Senator Eldridge presented an update on the Nashoba Valley Medical Center. The Nashoba Valley Health working group continues to meet, and we hope it will continue its work though a lot of the analysis of the health care gaps, not just with respect to the closure of the medical center but the health care needs in general for the region so it can be done in collaboration with the Governor. We were pleased to hear that UMass Memorial was offering to build a standalone ER facility but there hasn’t been a lot of information about that. We are hopeful that the Healy-Driscoll administration could provide some funds to make it work with UMass Memorial. We are working on a letter urging the governor to strongly consider that. The fire chiefs came together to request a $9.6 million operating budget to address the gaps that they are already seeing. Senator Eldridge, Senator John Cronin and Senator Ed Kennedy along with some of our fire chiefs did meet with Senate Ways and Means Chairman, Mike Rodricks about a month ago and we believe it went positively. 3  P. Cunningham thanked the Senator for being there from the beginning and trying to keep the hospital from closing. K. Nartowicz asked if the state is doing anything to prevent what happened to Nashoba Valley Medical Center from happening to other hospitals in the area. Senator Eldridge said it happened at the same time that there was significant health care legislation being taken up in the House and Senate. It was mostly focused on either limiting or having a further review of any hospital that is owned by a venture capital. We did pass legislation that has a stronger review by the state for any hospital that’s owned by a venture capital firm. Senator Eldridge further stated we need to reform the whole system but is hopeful that we can take a closer look at what is the fiscal analysis of every hospital to make sure that what happened with Nashoba Valley Medical Center doesn’t happen to any other hospital. G. Eaton stated he received an email from Townsend indicating there is a push by the state to disband the Nashoba Valley Medical Center Hospital working group and its subcommittees. They are looking for people to write letters to the governor. Senator Eldridge, a member of the working group along with every legislator in the region, is hoping for it to continue. While he appreciates all the work of the Nashoba Valley Health Working Group, it won’t replace a hospital. He stated he believes the point of the email is that people are worried if the working group goes away, that will be one less piece of leverage and communication with the Healey-Driscoll administration to apply some pressure. It is understood that there may be some confidential or closed-door negotiations with Apollo Medical. 6. Guest Announcements and Questions 7. Administrative Matters 7.1 Call for Participation on the Nominating Committee – Action Requested 7.1.1 The Chair shall call for nominations to the Nominating Committee MRPC is looking for three people to serve on the Nominating Committee, L. Shifrin, G. Corbosiero and P. Cunningham volunteered. 7.2 Remote Meeting Participation Legislation, Approve of Letter to Legislative Delegation – Action Requested REPORT The Executive Director has prepared a letter for consideration by the Commissioners. The subject is a request of the Montachusett Region’s State legislative delegation to support a permanent change in the Open Meeting Law (OML) to all for public meetings to be held remotely using tele-videoconferencing technology as we have been doing since 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). The draft letter for consideration can be found below in italics. Edits and improvements to this correspondence are most welcome. ON MRPC LETTERHEAD “March 7, 2025 Dear Senators and Representatives of the Montachusett Region: 4 On behalf of the Commissioners of the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission I am writing today to thank you and the Legislature for the extensions to allow municipalities the ability to host remote, hybrid, and in person public meetings. Launched during the height of the pandemic with the quick support and forward thinking of the Legislature this flexibility continues to be an essential aspect of MRCPC governance. The current extension is set to end on March 31, 2025. Not knowing if the Legislature will extend this provision temporarily or permanently makes future meeting planning challenging. The Commissioners and MRPC management are asking for your support to make these provisions permanent as proposed in HD.2863/SD.1850 filed by Representative Gregoire and Senator Oliveira and Governor Healey’s Municipal Empowerment Act. This legislation will solidify the flexibility for municipalities, all regional planning agencies, school districts, and others to hold meetings via hybrid or remote means. The flexibility of holding public meetings is critical to ensure that we can continue to hold public meetings in a way that makes the most sense for all entities that must comply with the Open Meeting Law. The ability to hold these meetings via remote and hybrid means has enabled more MRPC Commissioners, consultants, advisors, and residents to participate fully in their regional government. The implementation of remote participation protocols in our community has made meaningful engagement easier and is more manageable for public officials and residents alike. These changes to public meetings should be made permanent. With now over four years of these flexible meetings, our residents appreciate and have come to expect these options. We hope you will help champion the permanent flexibility for remote and hybrid meeting options before the March 31st expiration. It is crucial for municipalities to be able to engage with constituents in a transparent and meaningful way. Sincerely, Glenn P. Eaton Executive Director” RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED that the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission authorizes its Executive Director to send the above letter to all Representatives and Senators in the Montachusett Region no later than Monday, March 10, 2025. P. Cunningham expressed his 100% support for this. Groton select board drafted a similar letter and sent it off. G. Tillotson noted that there has been an increase in volunteers in Ayer dur to the ability to have virtual meetings. L. Shifrin shared that Townsend is also sending a letter of support and asked if it may be beneficial to mention the increase in the participation at MRPC meetings due to the convenience of remote meetings. Having no objections, G. Tillotson moved to accept the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded. Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes A. Reid – yes 5  B. Yocum – yes D. Thornton – yes G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes K. Nartowicz – yes L. Shifrin – yes P. Cunningham- yes R. Swartz – yes K. Chapman pointed out a spelling error, G. Eaton will correct prior to the letter going out. 7.3 Congressman James McGovern’s Northern Tier High Speed Rail Meeting with MassDOT and Other Officials, Greenfield – Information only Congressman James (“Jim”) McGovern led a meeting of local, regional, and state officials concerning the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study (completed in November 2024, https://www.mass.gov/lists/northern-tier-passenger-rail-study-documents). A partial list of attendees follows. • Senator Jo Comerford, Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester District. • Representative John Barrett, III, 1st Berkshire. • Representative Natalie M. Blais Democrat - 1st Franklin. • Representative Aaron L. Saunders Democrat, 7th Hampden District. • Bruno Fisher, Administrator, MART. • Shaun Suhoski, Town Manager of Athol. • Monica G. Tibbits-Nutt, Secretary of Transportation and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation CEO and her key staff. • Executive Directors of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (Thomas [“Tom”] Matuszko), Franklin Regional Council of Governments [FRCOG], Linda Dunlavy), and MRPC. An additional 50+ people packed the public meeting room at the Olver Transit Center in Greenfield to learn more about this project. Secretary Tibbits-Nutt and her key staff attended to explain the “next steps” in moving this project toward reality. They explained that the next milestone is for MASSDOT to apply to the Corridor Identification and Development Program, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to designate the rail corridor from Fitchburg to Albany, NY as such a Corridor deserving of Federal funding for future construction. After Corridor designation has been received by MASSDOT, the agency will have to complete a service plan and further cost estimates for this $1 billion+ endeavor. A regionwide economic impact study could bolster this project. 7.4 Budget Amendment for Acquisition of Computers and Plotter – Action Requested REPORT Approximately 75% of the MRPC’s computers are used daily by staff and the plotter have surpassed their generally accepted useful lives. MRPC’s management anticipates that we will need to spend 6  approximately $16,326+/- on computers (mostly laptops) and an additional $6,583+/- for a new plotter this fiscal year. Due to Federal funding uncertainties, the Executive Director has shelved the purchase of new furniture for the second year in a row and prioritized the proposed purchase of new technology. Relevant information can be found below. • Jason Stanton, GIS & IT Director has estimated the total costs for the new computers to be $16,326 (say $17,000 for budgeting purposes) and the new plotter to be $6,583 (say $7,500 for budgeting purposes). The combined total of funds needed to make all tech acquisitions is approximately $24,500. • The relevant FY25 Budget line item “Furniture/Equipment” stands at $20,000. No funds have been expended out of this line item as of this point in time. • The Executive Director recommends that the “Furniture/Equipment” line item balance of $20,000 be increased to $24,500 to accommodate these purchases. This new amount should be enough to cover all related costs. If the Commissioners approve of management’s request to acquire the update technology described above, MRPC staff will follow all applicable Federal and State procurement statutes and regulations related to these purchases. The source of the funds would be our surplus and unallocated cash of $76,998. It is recommended that $4,500 be transferred from our FY25 Budget surplus to the “Furniture/Equipment” line item to increase this line item from $20,000 to $24,500 for these purchases. The new surplus cash amount would be $72,498. RESOLUTION BE IT RESOLVED that the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission authorizes the transfer of $4,500 out of surplus cash into the “Furniture/Equipment” line item to pay for new computers and a plotter as described above by management Having no objections, P. Cunningham moved to accept the resolution as presented. The motion was seconded. Roll Call Vote Followed: A. Pease – yes A. Reid – yes B. Yocum – yes D. Thornton – yes G. Tillotson – yes G. Corbosiero – yes K. Nartowicz – yes L. Shifrin – yes P. Cunningham- yes R. Swartz – yes 7.5 Other Administrative Matters – Information Only 7  MRPC BUDGET PLANNING Please be advised that budget planning for FY26 and FY27 is ongoing. Mr. Eaton met with Chris McNamara, Fiscal Director and Karen Chapman, Planning and Development Director to pore over existing contracts’ balances, newly-awarded grants, and potential grant opportunities for FY25, FY26, and FY27. Within one week, Mr. Eaton will meet with Brian Doherty, Transportation Projects Director to review Transportation planning revenue and services. Upon the completion of individual meetings, management will meet in group meetings to create a draft FY26 Budget for the Commissioners’ May 8th meeting and a final FY26 Budget for the June 5th meeting. COMMISSIONERS’ MEETINGS OF JULY 3, 2025, AUGUST 7, AND SEPTEMBER 4 Please note that, this year, the July meeting of the Commissioners’ will fall one day before the National Independence Day Holiday. As this time of the year is typically peak vacation seasons, the Commissioners will need to decide if they will wish to meet on July 3rd or July 10th. Staff will need to know of the Commissioners’ decision by the June 5th meeting. The next summer meetings will be held on August 7th and September 4th. National Labor Day falls on September 1st. 8. Department Updates Status of all ongoing projects can be found by clicking on the link, below: https://mrmapper.mrpc.org/webapps/v2.27/CurrentProjects/ MRPC staff are prepared to answer questions about any contract with any local, state, and federal entity. Commissioners are welcome to ask questions about projects in their respective communities 8.1 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) No new information at this time 8.2 Planning & Development No new information at this time 8.3 Transit & Transportation No new information at this time 9. New Business Open session - This time is reserved for topics that the chair did not reasonably anticipate would be discussed. P. Cunningham asked if there was any update on where things stand regarding federal money, grants and loans? G. Eaton said he doesn’t have any additional information; however, he has put an internal pause on having out staff charge to the EPA Brownfields contract. We have another two and a half years on that project and it’s about 200 hours of staff time. We’ve also told the consultant to pause the Brownfields assessments. He hasn’t seen anything else about other programs. The response from EDA was that we’re not sending out an invitation now. We don’t know if the program will be reauthorized or refunded. There is virtually nothing official on federal funding sources other than what you see in the media. 8 10. Adjournment - The date of the next MRPC meeting – Thursday, April 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m. Having no objections, G. Corbosiero moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 8:33 pm. This meeting will be recorded by the GoToMeeting app and will be made available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/user/MontachusettRegion/videos. This notice is subject to change with reasonable notice provided to all. The Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is located at 464 Abbott Ave., Leominster, MA and is accessible to people with disabilities. MRPC provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as available. For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MRPC by phone (978- 345-7376), fax (978-348-2490) or by email mrpc@mrpc.org. All requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting. Sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten business days before the meeting. The MRPC fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The MRPC operates without regard to race, color, national origin, English Proficiency, ancestry, creed, income, gender, age and/or disability. Any person who believes they or any specific class of persons, to be subject to discrimination prohibited by Title VI may by themselves or by representative file a written complaint with the MRPC. Complaints are to be filed no later than 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. Please contact Glenn Eaton, Executive Director at 978-345-7376 ext. 310 for more information. Anyone in need of translation services for any MRPC meeting or document should contact the MRPC directly in advance in order to arrange applicable services. Please contact the MRPC at mrpc@mrpc.org or (978) 345-7376 ext. 300 with questions, concerns or assistance needs regarding accessibility and/or language services. Cualquier persona en necesidad de servicios de traducción para cualquier reunión o MRPC documento pueden dirigirse a la MRPC directamente con antelación para organizar los servicios correspondientes. Meeting Attendance Name M/A Representing Appointment Date Present Absent Arpano, Abby A Ashburnham 12.2023 X Vacant M Ashburnham X Leab, Doug A Ashby 7.2023 X Pease, Alan M Ashby 7.2001 X Bialecki, Rebecca A Athol 7.2020. X Norton, Kathy M Athol 11.2023 X Copeland, Shaun A Ayer 7.2020. X Tillotson, Geoff M Ayer 7.2022 X Vacant A Clinton X Duffy, Phil M Clinton 12.2011 X Angus, Neil N/V DREZ 7.2023 X 9 Bohart, Mary Jo A Fitchburg 7.2021 X Butland, Alyne M Fitchburg 7.2020. X Labonte, Amber A Gardner 1.2024 X Swartz, Robert M Gardner 7.2019 X Burke, Russell A Groton 7.2022 X Cunningham, Peter M Groton 7.2016 X Minar, Kara A Harvard 7.2021 X Thornton, Doug M Harvard 9.2024 X Kresge, Mark A Hubbardston 7.2023 X Munroe, Kristofer M Hubbardston 7.2023 X Dolan, Kelly A Lancaster 7.2023 X Streeter, Frank M Lancaster 7.2023 X Vacant A Leominster X Valliere, Dean M Leominster 7.2019 X Vacant A Lunenburg X Reid, Amanda M Lunenburg 7.2022 X Poodry, Deb A Petersham 7.2024 X Vacant M Petersham X Jackson, Melanie A Phillipston 7.2022 X Telepciak, John M Phillipston 7.2001 X Barclay, James A Royalston 7.2017 X Nartowicz, Kyle M Royalston 7.2022 X Oelfke, Bill A Shirley 7.2020. X Yocum, Barbara M Shirley 8.2017 X Newman, Kirsten A Sterling 7.2023 X Newman, Eric M Sterling 8.2024 X Bennett, Jeff A Templeton 7.2023 X Rich, Dennis M Templeton 7.2017 X 10  Kell, Veronica A Townsend 12.2025 X Shifrin, Laura M Townsend 7.2019 X Vacant A Westminster X Ferris, Michael M Westminster 7.2025 X Beauvais, Andrew A Winchendon 7.2025 X Corbosiero, Guy M Winchendon 7.2011 X Guests: Roland Lambalot, CPA, Senator James Eldridge Staff: G. Eaton, H. Ford, C. McNamara, B. Doherty, K. Chapman, J. Stanton, I. Congdon DOCUMENTS/EXHIBITS DISTRIBUTED FOR THE MEETING • February 6, 2025, MRPC Meeting Minutes • February 26, 2025 MRPC Meeting Minutes • March 6, 2025, MRPC Meeting Agenda • March 6, 2025, MRPC Meeting Agenda with Details • MRPC Grant Opportunities Spreadsheet • Five Year Statement • Statement of Net Position • FY24 Audit Report • NTPR Study Final Report 11