By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
Staff Writer
October 04, 2008 05:30 am ROCKPORT — With Gov. Deval Patrick saying the state faces a likely $200 million budget shortfall, officials with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and an engineering project manager told Rockport residents that $9.3 million remains in place for upgrades to the town's commuter rail station — for now. "I can't convey how important it was to get (the project) on the budget, not just the bond bill, but the budget," said Nitsch Engineering project manager Lisa Brothers said. "The key is to move it forward, making sure the governor doesn't veto it; I know (state) Sen. Bruce Tarr, (R-Gloucester) has been working with the Ways and Means Committee to keep it funded. We're really excited because we have the funds." Joe Nolan, an MBTA community outreach and coordination official, said that getting the money into the budget was a key step, but added the project's schedule is equally important. "If we don't get it in the ground by 2011, the funding does become jeopardized," Nolan said. Dozens of Rockporters turned out for Thursday's public hearing in the Police Station's community room, eager to see the latest plans for renovations to the town's commuter rail station and to seek answers from the MBTA and other officials. While a majority of residents sat quietly throughout the 15 percent design phase presentation, those who did voice concerns spoke of tight parking spaces, the aesthetic design of the MBTA's first noise-mitigating engine storage facility — also known as a "hush hut" — and signal crossing technology for Poole's Lane. Nolan said he expects the design phase to be complete next October and for construction to be completed by the fall of 2011. He also vowed to hold public hearings when the station's design plans are 30, 60 and 100 percent complete and told residents to call him at 617-222-6757 with any questions as the project progresses. Donald Hyde, who lives across from the station at 26 Railroad Ave., said he didn't want to see parking sacrificed to install a new section of sidewalk near the Ace Smith Hardware property that he said people would barely use. Brothers said she agreed with Hyde and the project design team had, in fact, discussed eliminating that particular portion of the new sidewalk leading to Evans Field. Hyde also asked the question many others had wanted the answer to for months — will there be a parking fee? Currently, commuters parking in Rockport do so at no cost. "The short answer is yes," Nolan said. "The T charges for parking throughout the system. Commuters get used to paying for parking with their other option being parking illegally and getting an expensive ticket." According to the MBTA Web Site, in addition to Rockport, three other MBTA parking lots for stations on the Newbury/Rockport line are free for commuters — they are Ipswich, Beverly Farms and Manchester. Public Works Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert Burbank voiced concern over both the number of parking spaces and the size of those spots. Originally, plans called for 164 spaces, but that number has been reduced twice — the first time to 150 and most recently to 138 spaces. Burbank said most spaces are 19 feet long at their shortest; while the MBTA's plans for the renovated parking lot call for 105 spaces sized 81âÑ2 by 171âÑ2 feet, 28 compact spaces sized 8 by 15 feet and five handicapped spots. "It's extremely tight up there and it's going to be difficult to function in there," Burbank said. Nolan and Brothers agreed space was tight but said there wasn't much that could be done to gain more parking. According to the minutes of a Sept. 29 MBTA Station Planning Advisory Committee meeting, held to prepare for Thursday's public hearing, members indicated that parking under the newest plan would continue to be a "real problem," citing the "dimensions of each space are at a bare minimum." Nolan responded to those concerned about noise, which emanates from the engines early in the morning and the nearby signal crossing. Nolan said Poole's Lane doesn't lend itself to a traditional traffic signal system and that he is gathering local and federal officials together to find a reasonable solution to protect the crossing. Officials also tried to quell residents' worries that the "hush hut" would be an eyesore. They informed residents the facility could look "like anything they wanted it to" and would be "clad with a material that looks good and fits in with the neighborhood." Brothers said that Nitsch Engineering expanded its contract to bring in a noise consultant to work on the "hush hut." One resident, citing his years of railway experience across the country, said the MBTA should be able to get noise pollution below 85 decibels with the addition of the "hush hut." Watershed Protection Committee chief Eric Hutchins said the MBTA also needs to address storm water drainage and treatment issues as soon as possible, but that overall, the MBTA appeared to be doing as much as it could given the limited space it has to work within. "The conceptual design is all you can fit in there with the exception of some tweaks," he said. Before the hearing adjourned, Selectmen Chairman Sarah Wilkinson urged residents between now and the next phase hearing to contact the selectmen's office with questions so selectmen could forward the inquiries to the MBTA before the next meeting. As for money, the most recent estimate put the cost of the project at $9.3 million, to be covered by federal, state and MBTA funding. A state bond secured by Tarr and supported by state Rep. Anthony Verga, D-Gloucester, combined with federal money secured by Congressman John Tierney, D-Salem, amounts to more than $10 million for the project. In June, the MBTA board of directors awarded a $1.2 million contract to Nitsch Engineering to complete the final design of the station and layover facility. Tarr said he's hopeful the project will survive budget cuts, but that there are no guarantees. "(This project) is long-term and has been in the pipeline for a while so hopefully it's more immune," Tarr said, "but, I can't responsibly say it's guaranteed; we have to make as much progress as fast as we can taking into account comments from the (town's MBTA Station Planning Advisory) committee." Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com. c_
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