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LETTER OF SUPPORT PETITION
We are collecting letters of support by Needham residents and businesses interested in achieving a safer, quieter Needham by eliminating non-emergency train horns. Please see below for more information.
Online Petition
If you would prefer the convenience of an online petition, please click the button below to sign the petition electronically.
We are using Google Forms to provide an easy-to-use online experience for your convenience. If you have more than one person in your household that would like to sign the petition, each person would sign a separate petition form.
Paper Petition
If you would prefer a paper-based petition, please click the button below and we will get a paper petition to you. If you have more than one person in your household that would like to sign the petition, each person would sign a separate petition form.
WHAT THE LETTER OF SUPPORT SAYS
"I am writing to express my support for improving safety at Needham’s railroad crossings while eliminating non-emergency train horns and maintaining full commuter rail service throughout Needham.
"There are six at-grade crossings in Needham including five public road crossings at West St., Rosemary St., May St., Great Plain Ave., and Oak St., and one private crossing at the Needham Golf Club.
"Thousands of Needham residents live and dozens of Needham businesses operate near these crossings. The train horns harm the health and quality of life of those living or working nearby, as well as patrons of those businesses. The horns also depress the value (and tax base) and potential of those properties.
"The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has criteria and a process to eliminate non-emergency train horns and establish a Quiet Zone for the five public road crossings. A similar process among the same stakeholders can be followed at the same time to eliminate non-emergency train horns at the golf course.
"According to the FRA, as of May 2021, the collision risk at Needham’s road crossings is 40% worse than the national average. Establishing a Quiet Zone requires installing Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs) at each crossing. Installing the minimum required SSMs would improve the collision risk at Needham’s road crossings to 40% better than the national average. This represents a significant improvement we should want to make as a community regardless of the train horn issue.
"In April 2020 the city of Chelsea, MA launched an effort to establish a Quiet Zone across six crossings (the same number as Needham). Chelsea anticipates the total cost to be in the range of $2.9 million to $3.4 million, which includes $300,000 to $400,000 for comprehensive transit engineering services and $2.6 million to $3.0 million in construction costs. Chelsea also obtained a grant from the FRA for $1.3 million in construction costs, reducing total out-of-pocket costs to $1.6 million to $2.1 million. Chelsea anticipates completing a Quiet Zone in the spring of 2022, about 27 months after they started the process. Chelsea is showing Needham how this can be accomplished quickly, cost-effectively, and potentially with federal grants. We can join over 30 Massachusetts communities that are seeking or already enjoy Quiet Zones.
"As we are doing with schools, public safety buildings, and many other projects in Needham, I support making investments that can improve the safety, quality of life, and economic value of our community. We can have full commuter rail service more safely and with a better quality of life without routine train horns.
"Thank you for your hard work serving our community and making Needham a great place to live, work, play, learn, shop, and dine."
Online Petition
If you would prefer the convenience of an online petition, please click the button below to sign the petition electronically.
We are using DocuSign eSignature, which complies with the U.S. ESIGN Act and Massachusetts UETA, to ensure this petition effort is credible and secure. Each signer will need to have their email address verified as part of the process. If you have more than one person in your household that would like to sign the petition, each person would sign a separate petition form.
LETTER OF SUPPORT PETITION Questions AND ANSWERS
Please reach us at SaferQuieterNeedham@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
No. All completed petition forms received will be kept confidential and will not be used for any other purpose. At one or more points the petitions will be shared with appropriate municipal officials.
No. This is an effort to help gauge the level of support by Needham voters and businesses for the investments needed to improve the safety of Needham's rail crossings, eliminate non-emergency train horns and thus improve the quality of life for Needham residents and businesses, and improve the value of thousands of properties throughout town.
The Select Board and other Needham leaders are constantly evaluating many, many priorities and variables and working hard to serve the community. The purpose of this effort is to provide them with more information. Your voice counts!
For maximum impact, Needham's leaders need to know that each signer stands fully behind their support for making the investments needed to eliminate train horns.
Having complete information confirms for Needham's leaders that those who live and work in Needham support this initiative as residents and businesses in the community.