Charlie Baker's Brain Fart! 

Selectmen discuss possible litigation against MassDOT

By Shannon Griffith / Contributing Writer

Posted Jan 25, 2018

MIDDLEBORO — The controversial South Coast Rail project has taken yet another turn.

Back in November, members of the South Coast Rail team came to Middleboro to finally discuss the proposed plan for the Middleboro Option, a new train station at Pilgrim Junction, just an eighth of a mile up the road from the current Lakeville train station. They gave their presentation, Middleboro residents expressed their concerns, and representatives promised nothing would happen without the approval of constituents.

Sen. Marc Pacheco’s office has since advised the Town of Middleboro the best course of action, in its opinion, is to sue the state Department of Transportation. While this measure stands a chance of directly stopping the project, legal action takes time — and money.

“This is just a failure of our representatives,” said Selectman John Knowlton at the meeting Monday. “They’re telling us that they can’t do anything, so why don’t you spend town money and sue another government agency?”

There is still some uncertainty about whether the Middleboro Option is really going to happen. None of the studies promised in November have been presented, meaning there is no data available on the environmental or traffic impact of the new train station, or any information about how many people are anticipated to ride the train from the new station once the New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton stops are established.

While nobody expects construction on the Pilgrim Junction station to start overnight, there is some fear that it will continue to move ahead without the town’s consent.

“I think that we should explore all our options,” Chairman Allin Frawley explained. “We don’t have a traffic study but they’re pursuing purchasing sales agreements on property.”

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on Monday to coordinate with surrounding towns and once again meet with the town’s representatives in hopes of exploring the legal options to stop the construction of the Pilgrim Junction station.

It is hoped the $1.1 billion South Coast Rail project would increase economic activity in the South Shore area by encouraging people to travel from the Boston area south, and improve the commute into Boston for those living in the New Bedford and Fall River areas. The new Middleboro station would be located across from the I-495 North on-ramp on 105.

The proposed Pilgrim Junction Station has been described as the “preferred option” despite vocal objections from the Board of Selectmen in Middleboro and Lakeville and residents of both towns.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/special/20180125/selectmen-discuss-possible-litigation-against-massdot