NOTICE OF MEETING
The Northern Middlesex Metropolitan Planning Organization (NMMPO) invites the public to participate in its next meeting on January 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM, to be held virtually via Zoom and in person at the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments office at 672 Suffolk Street Suite 100, Lowell, MA 02154.
To join via Zoom, visit the following website using the meeting ID and passcode below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84994892225?pwd=X6uqzTjFm1kTPhivu7mBNP8ypYMZYy.1
Meeting ID: 849 9489 2225
Passcode: 2050_k3
To join the meeting by audio only call: +1-646 931-3860.
This event is a both a business meeting for the NMMPO as well as part of the NMMPO’s efforts to engage the community in the transportation planning process. For assistance connecting to the meeting, please contact our office at (978) 454-8021. The agenda will be posted prior to the meeting.
AGENDA
1.Welcome and Introductions
2. Open Forum - Opportunity for comments from MPO members, community stakeholders, and the public
3. Approval of the December 4, 2024 NMMPO Meeting Minutes (Vote Required)
4. MassDOT CY25 Safety Performance Measure Update (Vote Required)
MassDOT staff will present the updated statewide targets for Performance Measure 1 (PM1);
MPO staff will provide updated local data. Action item to endorse.
5.Transportation Evaluation Criteria (TEC) Update (Vote Required)
MPO staff will present a proposed update to the Transportation Evaluation Criteria (TEC), which is used to score projects for the Transportation Improvement Program. The TEC is being updated to reflect the goals set forth in Envision 2050: the long-range transportation plan, and to comply with Federal Certification Requirements. Action item to release for 21-day public comment period.
6. NMMPO Memorandum of Understanding (Vote Required)
MPO staff will present an updated draft NMMPO Memorandum of Understanding. The current NMMPO MOU expires at the end of March, and several updates are needed to meet Federal standards and reflect how staff, the NMMPO, and partner agencies work together and make decisions. Action item to release for 30-day public comment period.
7. Public Participation Plan (Vote Required)
MPO staff will present the draft update to the agency’s Public Participation Plan. Action item to release for 45-day public comment period.
8. FFY2025-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (Votes Required)
•Amendment #1: Lowell-Bridge Preservation Project (RAISE) (Project S13124). Staff will present any comments received during the 21-day public comment period. Action item to endorse.
•Amendment #2: Burlington to Tyngsborough – Pavement Preservation on Route 3 (Project 610719). MPO staff will provide a summary of the proposed amendment to this statewide project. Action item to release for public comment.
•Adjustment #2: Lowell-Rourke Bridge Replacement (Project 607887). Staff will present an overview of Adjustment #2 to the FFY2025-2029 TIP, which will adjust the TIP to align with an amendment to the FFY2024-2028 TIP made after the adoption of the FFY2025-2029 TIP.
9. FFY2025 Unified Planning Work Program Amendment #2 (Vote Required)
MPO staff will propose an amendment to the FFY 2025 Unified Planning Work Program, which will change the focus of Task 5.2, Route 129 Corridor Study (Billerica/Chelmsford). Action item to release for public comment.
10. NMMPO Region Projects for MassDOT Resilience Improvement Plan (Vote Required)
Staff will present the list of priority resilience projects to be considered for inclusion in MassDOT’s Resilience Improvement Plan. Action item to endorse.
11. Presentation of the FFY 2026-2030 TIP and FFY 2026 UPWP Timelines
12. LRTA Bus Stop Inventory
MPO staff will present the LRTA Bus Stop Inventory, developed under the FFY24 and FFY25 UPWP.
13. Status Report on Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Projects Under Design and Construction
14. Other Business not known at the time of posting of this agenda.
15. Adjournment
Please contact NMCOG at NMCOGadmin@nmcog.org with any questions on this agenda.
MEETING ACCESSIBILITY
Please note that even though this meeting has a virtual option and there will not be a need to be physically present, NMCOG is accessible to persons with disabilities and by public transportation via fixed route bus service and commuter rail. Please refer to the LRTA (http://www.lrta.com/) and MBTA (http://mbta.com/) websites for additional information. The NMCOG office has secure bicycle parking available. Please do not leave bicycles in the lobby. The NMMPO 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), as available. For assistance, please contact (978) 454-8021 or NMCOGadmin@nmcog.org. Requests should be made as soon as possible for services requiring advanced arrangements, including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation.
Event Format and Activities
The meeting will include the following activities and presentations:
Presentation(s):
A PowerPoint presentation of all agenda items, summarizing key findings, presentation materials, charts, and maps as relate to the agenda.
A verbal presentation of each agenda item by MPO Board members, MPO staff, or invited guests.
Public Comment Opporutnity:
Participants will have the opportunity to provide input at the beginning of the meeting during the public comment period, and potentially during individual agenda items as facilitated by the meeting chair.
Technology Used:
Presentations will include the use of the Zoom platform for remote participation with live captions interpreted by voice recognition software.
Participants may call in to participate via voice by calling
Materials will be projected on screens, with alternative formats available upon request (e.g., large print or electronic formats).
Language Access and Accessibility
The NMMPO is committed to providing accommodations to ensure full participation in the planning process.
Translation and Interpretation Services:
Materials will be available in the NMMPO safe harbor languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Khmer, Chinese, Arabic, and Gujarati) upon request, and interpretation services will be provided in Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Khmer, Chinese, Arabic, and Gujarati upon request.
Disability Accommodations:
Please note that even though this meeting has a virtual option and there will not be a need to be physically present, NMCOG is accessible to persons with disabilities and by public transportation via fixed route bus service and commuter rail.
Please refer to the LRTA (http://www.lrta.com/) and MBTA (http://mbta.com/) websites for additional information. The NMCOG office has secure bicycle parking available. Please do not leave bicycles in the lobby. The NMMPO 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), as available.
To request accommodations, including alternative formats of meeting materials, language interpretation, or disability-related support, please contact Kelly Lynema at 978-454-8021 or klynema@nmcog.org at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.
Additional Information
For more details about the meeting or the NMMPO’s planning activities, visit www.nmcog.org or call 978-454-8021.
Note to Attendees
The NMMPO encourages participation from all individuals, including members of the public who identify as persons with disabilities or who require language assistance. By providing details about the meeting format, activities, and technologies, we aim to ensure that all participants can make informed requests for accommodations and fully engage in the planning process.
TITLE VI NOTICE OF PROTECTION
The NMMPO fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The NMMPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, English proficiency, income, religious creed, ancestry, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, military service, or gender identity or expression. Any person who believes that he/she or any specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI or related statutes or regulations may, himself/herself or via a representative, file a complaint with the MPO. For more information regarding filing a complaint, please call (978) 454-8021 or email civilrights@nmcog.org, or visit the NMCOG Title VI webpage at nmcog.org/civil-rights-title-vi.
If this information is needed in another language, please contact the NMCOG Title VI Specialist at 978-454- 8021.
Si necesita esta información en otro idioma, por favor contacte al especialista de NMCOG del Título VI al 978- 454-8021.
Caso esta informação seja necessária em outro idioma, favor contar o Especialista em Título VI do NMCOG pelo telefone 978-454-8021.
Nếu quý vị cần thông tin này bằng ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng liên hệ với Chuyên gia Bảo vệ Quyền Dân sự Bộ VI của NMCOG qua số điện thoại 978-454-8021.
ប្រសិនបើអ្នកត្រូវការព័ត៌មាននេះជាភាសាផ្សេងទៀត សូមទាក់ទងមកឯកទេសករផ្នែកទី VI នៃ NMCOG តាមរយៈលេខទូរស័ព្ទ 978-454-8021។
如果您需要使用其他语言了解这些信息，请联系北密德尔塞克斯政府协会(NMCOG)第六章专员，电话978-454-8021。
如果您需要使用其他語言了解這些信息，請聯繫北密德爾塞克斯政府協會(NMCOG)第六章專員，電話978-454-8021。
إذا كنت بحاجة إلى هذه المعلومات بلغة أخرى، يرجى الاتصال بأخصائي الفصل السادس في مجلس حكومات شمال ميدلسكس (NMCOG) على الرقم 978-454-8021.
જો તમને આ માહિતી બીજી કોઈ ભાષામાં જોઈતી હોય તો, કૃપા કરીને નોર્થ મિડલસેક્સ કાઉન્સિલ ઓફ ગવર્નમેન્ટ્સ (NMCOG) ટાઇટલ VI સ્પેશ્યાલિસ્ટનો ફોન નંબર 978-454-8021 પર સંપર્ક કરો.