🚆 MBTA Turnback Track Resident Meeting AI Recap

Here is a summarized version of the meeting with timestamps included, capturing the key points from the community meeting in Reading, Massachusetts, regarding the MBTA’s proposed turnback track held on February 1, 2025:

Introduction and Background

• [0:05 – 0:16]: The speaker has lived near the train tracks for over 50 years, raising a family without issues until the MBTA proposed a new project, which they call “ill-conceived” and disruptive.
• [0:32 – 1:00]: The speaker introduces the MBTA’s plan to build nearly a mile of new track through residential and conservation areas, promising to discuss better alternatives later.

Description of the Proposed Project

• [1:07 – 1:42]: The turnback track would extend from just north of Vine Street to just south of Willow Street, covering nearly a mile, passing through conservation land and residential zones.
• [1:48 – 2:15]: The MBTA aims to use this siding to turn trains around—trains pull into the station, drop passengers, move to the siding, wait for another train to pass, then return.
• [2:21 – 2:42]: Explanation of how trains “turn around” (engineer walks to the other end), questioning the need for a siding.
• [2:50 – 3:03]: Trains would idle on the siding from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., roughly 18 hours daily.

Affected Areas and Initial Concerns

• [3:10 – 3:57]: The siding cuts through recently renovated conservation land ($5M), a bird sanctuary, wetlands, and near Austin Prep (600 ft away), Tannerville Housing Authority (elderly/disabled), and Parker Middle School.
• [4:03 – 4:11]: Transition to discussing issues and solutions.

Community Engagement and Issues

• [4:37 – 5:06]: High turnout at the meeting shows community concern; prior meetings limited speakers to two minutes, prompting this event to outline issues and solutions.
• [6:34 – 7:21]: Diesel locomotive smoke is a major issue; over 450 pamphlets distributed to raise awareness among residents, parents, and the broader Reading community.
• [7:27 – 8:18]: Town officials were unaware of the plan initially; MBTA claims jurisdiction but residents argue it’s an extension, not an essential job, requiring permission.
• [8:43 – 9:22]: Environmental justice concerns (Tannerville to Summer Ave area) and health risks cited, backed by a month of research.

Specific Concerns

• [9:43 – 10:28]: MBTA’s goal of 30-minute service to Boston is questioned; lack of parking and passenger discomfort (waiting a mile away) highlighted.
• [10:37 – 11:15]: Gates would go down 60+ times daily, causing traffic and safety issues for buses and residents.
• [11:30 – 11:47]: Health risks (e.g., asthma, cancer) from diesel emissions documented by Johns Hopkins and MD Anderson.
• [13:59 – 14:17]: Trains idling 18 hours daily violates anti-idling laws (30-minute limit for diesels).
• [14:34 – 16:04]: Inconsistent MBTA info (idling times vary); proximity to homes, Tannerville (80 elderly/disabled units) raises equity concerns.
• [16:26 – 17:12]: Health issues include lung problems, hearing loss, and vibrations felt in homes.

Youth Perspective

• [20:16 – 22:31]: Kaden Marosi, a 10-year-old student, speaks about losing conservation land peace, air quality, and outdoor activities like biking and a school field trip due to the project.

Alternatives Proposed

• [33:58 – 34:19]: Alternatives sourced from Transit Matters, a nonprofit focused on improving Massachusetts transit.
• [38:23 – 39:30]: Alternative 1: Use existing infrastructure south of Ash Street (near Market Basket) with three tracks for turnbacks, saving costs.
• [39:38 – 42:01]: Alternative 2: Install a switch northwest of Main Street, double-track Washington Street, and turn back at Reading station for passenger comfort.
• [44:34 – 48:36]: Preferred Alternative: New platform at 55 Walkers Brook (Market Basket area) with parking, removing trains from homes, benefiting multiple towns (Wakefield, Lynnfield, etc.).
• [1:00:26 – 1:00:38]: Wilmington Option: Use Wilmington Station’s existing setup for turnbacks.

Community Action and Questions

• [31:41 – 32:04]: Petitions and outreach to local/state officials urged; town manager acknowledges concerns but needs more voices.
• [35:05 – 35:37]: Call to attend a February (likely 27, 2025) meeting to pressure MBTA.
• [1:28:10 – 1:30:34]: Select board member Chris Haley offers to ask 5-10 key questions at the meeting, emphasizing turnout’s impact.
• [1:36:29 – 1:38:23]: Residents seek MBTA’s rationale for the plan and worry a shorter track (if conservation denies 4,500 ft) could still harm backyards; suggest delaying the vote.

Additional Concerns and Closing

• [1:17:51 – 1:19:46]: Questions passenger demand (trains not busy) and if moving fumes elsewhere weakens the argument.
• [1:21:00 – 1:22:02]: Stephanie raises safety concerns about a proposed propane tank near homes and suggests cost comparisons to sway MBTA.
• [1:23:10 – 1:26:42]: Calls for MBTA insider info and clarity on their 30-minute service goal; current service is 33-39 minutes.
• [1:42:15 – 1:43:00]: Strong community turnout unexpected, reinforcing opposition as of February 23, 2025.

Summary

Residents oppose the MBTA’s nearly mile-long turnback siding due to environmental, health, safety, and transparency issues, proposing alternatives like using existing infrastructure or relocating to 55 Walkers Brook. They plan to confront the MBTA at a February 27, 2025 Conservation, meeting, seeking clarity and a vote delay.