Transportation/Green Line Extension/Updates
From Green Needham
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Meeting with MAPC
On September 23, an informal group from Needham and Newton met with Eric Bourassa and his staff at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to discuss the communities' interest in the Green Line Extension and the benefits of the project for the communities and the region. Srdjan Nedeljkovic presented the project and the research that he has done to date. Participating from Needham were Michael Greis, Jerry Wasserman, Moe Handel and Joyce Moss. Newton had several representatives, including a city councillor.
Community Forum
Green Needham Collaborative and the Needham Heights Neighborhood Association co-sponsored a community forum on September 16th at First Parish Church, attended by close to 50 people. Srdjan Nedeljkovic presented an overview of the project and the opportunities it affords to Newton and Needham.
Meeting with Stephanie Pollack
Michael Greis of Green Needham arranged an informal meeting for several Needham officials (Jerry Wasserman, Moe Handel and Joyce Moss) with Stephanie Pollack, Associate Director of Northeastern University's Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Planning. Stephanie's expertise is in transportation planning and she is intimately familiar with the various state and regional agencies and authorities involved in planning, designing and executing transportation projects.
The meeting was held on July 22nd and focused on the transportation planning process and steps Needham could take to position itself for the Green Line project and preserve its options during the reconstruction of Route 128, when the railroad bridge over the highway must be taken down. Replacement of the bridge during the Add-a-lane project would be a critical step toward ensuring that Needham can consider various options for the eventual Green Line extension.
Selectmen's Goals
The Needham Board of Selectmen has included the extension of the Green Line in their goals for the Town.
