Meeting minutes from BUMC focus group meeting - Green Line ...

Green Line Extension Project Advisory Group Meeting #8
Doug Carr, Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance (MGNA), submitted two reports
to EOT: a demographic analysis of the Route 16 area and a petition from residents in
three communities supporting the extension to Route 16. (See Appendix)
A Medford resident said he was concerned about land takings and requested more
information about the subject.
Laurel Ruma, Medford, said she was an abutter to the rail line and Tufts University. She
requested that EOT look at the area south of the College Avenue bridge instead of
Burget Avenue when siting the proposed College Avenue station. She asked that EOT
respond to her letter and this request. She noted that 82 decibels is the current noise
level and asked what the maximum level is before mitigation. Mr. Ross said that 82
decibels is the maximum, and the team has not completed the analysis of existing
conditions. EOT stated that they had not received a letter from her.
Brian Sylvain, a representative of the Tunnel Workers union, encouraged EOT to use
tunneling to construct the Extension.
Carolyn Rosen, GLAM, said that the tunnel proposal advocated by GLAM is not on the
meeting agenda due to the prejudice of EOT. She submitted her criticism of the project
approach in written comments (see Appendix).
Joe Lynch, Magoun Square Neighborhood Association, asked what existing conditions
data will be included in the final report for noise and vibration. Mr. Ross said that it will
cover 24-hour periods over several days and weeks and include Amtrak, commuter rail,
and freight trains. Mr. Woelfel added that there is no intent to remove existing freight
operations on the corridor.
Elizabeth Bayle said she is concerned that the project schedule has changed and the
Winthrop Street station proposal has been dropped without public discussion. Mr.
Woelfel said the schedule has slipped a little due to the new oversight process initiated
by FTA. He said there will be public meetings in late September. [Editor’s Note: EOT
will schedule public meetings as soon as outstanding analyses are completed.]
Steve Kaiser said he welcomed the news that the state will be taking over the relocation
of Lechmere station. He believes the tunnel is a good idea, although expensive. With
regard to noise and vibration, he has questions about the difference between irritation
and actual health effects. He also suggested that EOT examine Federal Highway
Administration noise standards for parks and open spaces instead of FTA noise
standards.
Wig Zamore noted that the Move Mass meeting on August 15 will be discussing the
Green Line project. He suggested looking at hypertension studies to see the effects of
50 decibels. He said that he has measures of ultrafine particles that he would be happy
to share if it will help the air quality analysis. He also noted that diesel trains that start
and stop have more pollution that those that move through a community at speed.
Mike Korczynski, Medford, suggested that mitigation for part transportation-related
burdens should be included in the analysis, not just the future change in levels.
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