Belmont/Trapelo Project Update

According to MassDOT engineers, the project to reconstruct Belmont Street/Trapelo Road is 80% complete. It is on budget, but is about 9 months behind schedule. Bring your questions and concerns about the project to a meeting on March 15 from 6:30 – 9:00 PM in the Third Floor Gallery in the Homer Building, 19 Moore Street, Belmont (across from Belmont Town Hall in Belmont Center).

Proposed Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Allston

A medical marijuana dispensary has been proposed on Harvard Avenue in Allston and is moving through the state approval process. The company has secured signatures on a petition indicating non-opposition from nearby businesses and a letter of support from the Allston Civic Association. In November 2012, 65% of voters approved a ballot question to legalize medical marijuana.

Contract for Fresh Pond and Mount Auburn intersection awarded

The DCR has awarded a contract to develop an approach to improving the system of intersections around Mt. Auburn Street and Fresh Pond Parkway. The accepted proposal conveys a strong understanding of the problems around the intersection and the potential for change. It contemplates an early public meeting and we will make sure that this is publicized broadly when it is scheduled.

Interesting proposal for Mass Ave redesign in Cambridge

This is someone else’s work; I just saw it and thought it made a tremendous amount of sense. http://amateurplanner.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-complete-mass-ave-in-cambridge.html The motivation is: Mass Ave in Cambridge devotes far more space than necessary to automobile traffic, based on existing car counts, and is too dangerous for many people to bike, and traffic jams there impede transit. …

FY17 Budget Priorities Letter to Senate Ways and Means

Today, Senator Brownsberger submitted this letter to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means outlining his budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2017 (beginning on July 1, 2016). Education, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and addressing excessive fees on people on probation and parole are among his top priorities.