The proposed Eversource West Roxbury to Needham Reliability Project has been a matter of great interest and concern to many Needham residents, elected officials, and the Town government of Needham.  I have listened carefully to neighbors’ concerns, attended community meetings and public hearings, and conferred with the Town on the complexities of this proposed project. This month, the project has moved into the evidentiary hearing phase before the state’s Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB). Anne Weinstein, a member of my staff, has attended these day-long hearings to monitor the process and gather valuable information.

The Siting Board review process is a legal proceeding, where Eversource must demonstrate that the proposed project meets the requirements set forth in the Siting Board’s statute. It has been most interesting to listen and learn during these evidentiary hearings, where the parties may present witnesses and evidence, ask written questions, examine each other’s witnesses, and make arguments as to whether the evidence indicates that a proposed project should be approved, and if so, under what conditions. Some of the topics that have been examined so far include discussion of the various proposed routes, the project need, and the project approach and alternatives. 

There are additional noticed hearings dates coming up in June (June 12, June 20 and TBD) where witnesses will be questioned on such topics such as Environmental Impacts/Route selection, electric and magnetic fields (EMF), visual impacts, and other project related issues. Ultimately, the Siting Board acts as a fact finder, and will approve or reject the proposed project based on the evidence developed during the proceeding. There are several more stages of the proceedings that follow the evidentiary hearing phase before a final decision is made. If you are interested in learning more, the Town of Needham website has information posted in the Hot Topics section (http://www.needhamma.gov/index.aspx?NID=3297) or go to the Energy Facilities Siting Board website at http://www.mass.gov/eea/energy-utilities-clean-tech/energy-facilities-siting-board/.  The official docket for this project is EFSB 16-02-Petition of NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for Approval to Construct and Operate a New 115-kV Combination Overheard/Underground Transmission Line in West Roxbury, Dedham and Needham Pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 72.

Of course, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions at State House, Room 33, Boston, MA 02133, by telephone at 617-722-2060, or by e-mail at Denise.Garlick@MAHouse.gov.

I hope you will join me for the annual Representative’s Report to the Community in Dover. I have been working hard to deliver results for our community, and am looking forward to sharing the 2016 year in review and 2017 year in preview. I encourage all members of the community to participate and discuss the year’s accomplishments, as well as share your goals and priorities for the upcoming year.   

The evening will proceed as follows:

• 7:00-7:30 PM Reception
• 7:30-8:00 PM Report
• 8:00-8:30 PM Questions and Discussion

Dover

January 23^rd

Dover Town Hall

5 Springdale Ave

 

Needham-Wellesley I-95 Add-A-Lane Project Impacts Drivers November 11-13

At the I-95 and Route 9 area

Needham –The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced that this weekend, due to Add-A-Lane Project construction activities, from approximately 8 p.m., November 11, through November 13, the on-ramp from Route 9 eastbound and westbound to I-95 northbound will be closed, in addition to closure of the breakdown lane on the northbound side of I-95, to accommodate full depth excavation, construction, and paving of the mainline and new ramp.

Once work is complete, traffic will be switched over to the newly constructed bridge and on-ramp, prior to the Monday morning commute.  Appropriate signage and police details will be present to guide traffic to the detoured routes.

For through traffic on I-95 Northbound:

• The right travel lane will be used exclusively for exit traffic during this shift. Stay in the left three lanes.
• Detour signage will be provided for motorists who inadvertently exit the highway at Route 9. These motorists will be directed to make a U turn at Sun Life Financial in order to return to I-95.

 For Route 9 Westbound to I-95 Northbound:

• Take the I-95 Southbound on-ramp
• Proceed on I-95 Southbound to Highland Avenue
• Take Exit 19A for Highland Avenue eastbound
• Take the next right for the on-ramp to I-95 northbound

For Route 9 Eastbound to I-95 Northbound:

• Take the I-95 southbound on-ramp
• Proceed on I-95 southbound to Highland Avenue
• Take Exit 19A for Highland Avenue eastbound
• Take the next right for the on-ramp to I-95 northbound

Appropriate signage will be placed on Route 9 and the I-95 mainline to warn drivers of the upcoming work.  In case of inclement weather, operations will shift to the following weekend.  Motorists should exercise caution and allow additional time for their trip during construction operations. 

Meanwhile, a traffic shift which was implemented on October 14 in this area for vehicles on I-95 Northbound will continue through November 13 and is as follows:  I-95 Northbound traffic will have a shared exit lane when getting off I-95 Northbound for Route 9 Eastbound and Route 9 Westbound.

For more information about this project, please visit the MassDOT website .

All commuter rail service to Needham will be suspended from Thursday evening, November 10th after 8pm until Monday morning, November 14th.

FAQ’s

What are my other options for getting from Boston towards Needham Thursday evening after 8 pm?

From South Station or Back Bay Station take the following lines:

Framingham / Worcester line to Wellesley Farms or Wellesley Hills

Providence / Stoughton Line to Route 128 station (no bus service to Needham) but plenty of parking.

Franklin Line to Dedham Corporate Center parking is available as well as connection to the # 52 bus to Spring Street/ Charles River Loop for pick up.

Fairmount Line also services Rte. 128 Station, but could transfer at Readville station to the Dedham Mall/Corporate Center, if more convenient for pick up.

Orange Line at Forest Hills: take the #35 bus , 34E bus to the Dedham Mall

#36 bus to Spring St. or Charles River loop Dedham for pick up

How do I get to Kenmore Station? Take the Green Line “B, C, D” Branch from Park St Sta. to Kenmore Station.

Green Line “B” Branch #57 bus from Kenmore Busway or Packard’s Corner to the Watertown Yard

Green Line “D” Branch

Newton Center; Newton Highlands; Eliot Station, Waban; Woodland, Riverside stations for pick up.

Express Bus

#502 bus St James at Dartmouth St. (not far from Back Bay Station/Copley) to Newton Corner.

#501 and #503 bus Brighton Center to Copley Square

#504 bus from Watertown Yard to Newton Corner.

#558 bus from Surface Artery @ Kneeland St. (South Station Bus terminal) also picks up at Federal St and Franklin St, travels to Riverside (Green line)

What are my options for Friday morning?

Drive or carpool to one of the stations named above and take the corresponding public transportation that’s available

Resources

For more specific information please check schedules for departure times online http:/www.mbta.com/ go to: maps and schedules.

Call Customer Service 617-222-3200 (TTY) 617-222-5146

If you are unfamiliar with the website: use the Rider Tools/ Trip Planner and input your origin and destination information.

For more information, please see the Town of Needham website.