Pearl Street Garage Could Get MBTA Commuter Shuttle

Officials are discussing a plan with the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority to operate a shuttle bus from the the town’s Pearl St. parking garage to the MBTA commuter rail station.

“The hope is that this service together with the fact that we have opened the garage up for free commuter parking will increase its use,” Town Manager Robert Halpin said. That in turn will make the parking lot safer for all, he added.

Halpin said he and other officials met with MWRTA Director Ed Carr to discuss the proposal, which would utilize the so-called Banana Lot at the intersection of Pearl and Park streets for access to the train station.

Permission to make changes to that property will be required from the MBTA and from a property owner, who Halpin said has expressed support for the idea.

Also at Tuesday night's Selectmen's meeting:

• Selectmen voted to support three articles being proposed at Town Meeting by other parties: The board backed Article 43, which amends the general bylaws to require all standing committees to file minutes with the Town Clerk and Article 47, which make clerical corrections to buildings include Historic District Commission, and article 48, which expands the potential membership for the Commission. The board deferred action on whether to support Town Meeting Article 25, which seeks $75,000 for a comprehensive rewrite of the Zoning Bylaw, instead asking Halpin to return with more information about the details of the proposal.
• Selectmen voted to send a letter to the owner of the former State Line Lumber property reaffirming the town’s commitment to complete intersection upgrades and other infrastructure improvements in the area of the property. Halpin said the property owner is in negotiations with potential tenants for a redevelopment. The letter states the town is on track to meet a Fall 2014 target to complete intersection improvements. 
• Selectmen learned from Halpin that traffic concerns raised by school officials about congestion in the area of the Hemenway School could be addressed by a plan that also includes looking at the potential impacts of the proposed new McAuliffe Library. 
• The board learned that the Arbor Day of Service will take place on Friday, May 3, with students from Keefe Tech’s landscape and horticulture program joining the Department of Public Works and private tree companies in removing, pruning and planting trees around the Common and along Edgell Rd. 
• Newly-elected Selectman Michael J. Bower applauded the turnout by Framingham residents during this year's Boston Marathon. "Although there was a tragic ending, the citizens of Framingham did themselves proud," he said. 
• Selectmen approved the annual renewal of 20 second hand, junk and old metals licenses to various vendors around town.