Access Advisory Committee to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (AACT)

10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA. 02116-3968

Voice: 857.702.3658, Fax: 617.570.9192,

TDD: 617. 570.9193, E-mail: AACT@ctps.org

Executive Board Minutes

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Meeting opened at 10:12 AM

Board of Directors:

Chairman – James F. White

Vice Chairman – Lisa Weber

Executive Board

Mary Ann Murray

Beverly Ann Rock

ATTENDANCE:

James White, Jim Tozza, Hang Lee, Lisa Weber, Nadine Jones,

Other:

Paul Fleming, Work, Inc.

No meeting minutes were presented for approval.

Chairman White’s Report

He stated the following:

• He attended a Paratransit Task Force meeting on December 1^st. He noted that Gov. Baker is pleased with the work of the Task Force and would like to have the group continue their cost saving initiatives. He also noted that the MBTA Fiscal Management Control Board and state legislatures have acknowledged their invaluable service.

• He discussed the letter that was addressed to the MBTA customers and AACT members that he signed off on with M. Lambert and L. Brelsford to establish an ad hoc committee that will develop the structure of the new group that will replace AACT. This will likely take place in early spring 2017; the MBTA will withdraw from the current Memorandum of Understanding with AACT and enter into a formal partnership with a new committee.

• He was unable to attend the December Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) meeting to testify in support of the Office for Transportation Access initiatives about THE RIDE Program. His letter was read by his assistant.

• He met on November 21^st with Judge Patrick King, Jessica Podesva, and Laura Brelsford to discuss the Customer Engagement Group initiative.

• He noted that 64 new buses are in service and he is sure that everyone will be pleased with the new layout.

There were no questions asked.

Committee Report

Rider Oversight Committee (ROC)

Lisa Weber, AACT no report was presented.

Prospective Board Member Interviews

Chairman White and Vice Chair Weber interviewed potential candidates for the vacant seats that became available due to unexpected departures. He also shared that they are looking for members who are committed and willing to accept responsibility. He encouraged the candidates to each read the AACT bylaws, Memorandum of Understanding and the ethics criteria. The candidates were told that no decision would be before the January meeting.

Nadine Jones stated that she as been an AACT member since 2014 and actively attends meetings. She shared with the Board that she has been a professional business woman in the areas of entrepreneurship and the corporate world. She noted her dependability, her commitment, her willingness to work and her confidence makes her uniquely qualified for the Board. She is committed and willing to serve on the Board. She is looking forward to continuing her full support to AACT and help where she is needed.

Jim Tozza commented that he has be an active member over a year. He has served as a former EMT professional for 20 years. A back injury prevents him from performing his EMT work. He is looking forward to serving on the Board and help promote AACT to the disability community especially on the north shore.

L. Weber noted that new members are expected to represent AACT at the request of the Chair to attend other meetings as an observer and give a report.

Chairman White noted that the Chair is the only voice that speaks for AACT.

Open Discussion

L. Weber asked what happens when the GPS for THE RIDE is interrupted. Is there a backup plan? Chairman White noted that all drivers are trained to read a road map. Drivers are expected to have maps in their possession.

Chairman White addressed Board members who continue to show a lack of respect, responsibility, or commitment to others. He is aware that there may be extenuating circumstances. He noted that AACT has an ethics clause and that some members may be in violation.

J. Tozza commented that drivers looking for an address on buildings on dark and rainy nights should carry flashlights. Chairman White noted that this item is not in the contract. It would be it an added expense for vendors.

Old/New Business

None was presented.

Announcements

J. Podesva announced that Judge Patrick King, the Independent Monitor overseeing the MBTA/BCIL settlement has issued a set of recommendations for a model advisory group. She will lead a group of stakeholders to put the recommendations in place. The recommendations are aimed to make it easier for more customers to get involved, share feedback, and learn about new projects.

She is willing to speak with members one-on-one by appointment or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact her at 617-603-1664 or jpodesva@gbls.org.

Lisa Weber announced that the state has a new Lemon Law for consumer protection. This law would protect consumers who experience problems with a defective mobility device.

Meeting adjourned at 11:55 AM. 

Notables

The AACT Executive Board will meet from 10:00 AM to noon and the Membership meeting will be conducted from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the fourth Wednesday of the month, except when noted.

Notices of AACT meetings are posted on the website of the MBTA at http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/. Visit the MPO’s calendar page at http://www.bostonmpo.org/calendar/month to find AACT agendas, meeting minutes, and past meeting minutes. For more on AACT, see the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the MBTA and AACT, the AACT Bylaws, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations at http://www.mbta.com/aact .

Also, find articles about topics discussed at AACT meetings in the MPO’s newsletter, TRANSREPORT, at http://www.bostonmpo.org/transreport. For more information on accessibility at the MBTA, please visit www.mbta.com/accessibility.

Comments and questions concerning AACT should be directed to Chairman James White by contacting the AACT Coordinator, Ms. Janie Guion, at 857.702.3658 (voice) 617.570.9193 (TTY), AACT@ctps.org (email), or c/o CTPS, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116 (US mail).

The AACT meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities and is near public transportation. Upon request (preferably two weeks in advance of the meeting), every effort will be made to provide accommodations such as assistive listening devices, materials in accessible formats and in languages other than English, and interpreters in American Sign Language and other languages.

The MPO complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal and state non-discrimination statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The MPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, English proficiency, income, religious creed, ancestry, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or military service. Any

person who believes her or himself or any specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI, ADA, or other non-discrimination statute or regulations may, her or himself or via a representative, file a written complaint with the MPO. A complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days after the date on which the person believes the discrimination occurred. A complaint form and additional information can be obtained by contacting the MPO (see above) or at www.bostonmpo.org.

Members needing service information or wanting to inquire about MBTA services should do so through the MBTA Customer Communications at 617.222.3200 or 800.392.6100, TTY 617.222.5146, Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. There are no evening or weekend hours. You can file a complaint at the MBTA website at www.mbta.com/customer_support/feedback/.

Please sign in at all meetings.

Announcements are always welcome. Please be prepared to give as many details as possible: date, time, location, contact person, and phone number. A written notice is always welcome.