Town Targets Noisy Neighbor

April 25, 2024 • For many, the Needham Commuter Rail is a defining feature of the town. While welcomed by some, others have a more difficult time coping with the disruptions associated with the trains. Here’s what they are hoping to do. The rumble of the train and the blasts of the horn are familiar sounds, heard throughout Needham. But for those who live within close proximity to the tracks, these noises are far from romantic–they can be downright disruptive. For years, the Town has been looking for ways to reduce the impact of the noise generated by the MBTA’s Commuter Rail, and they have been studying approaches to instituting a Quiet Zone, by improving the road crossings along the line. This year, Town Meeting is poised to take action on those efforts through Article 30. Municipal Producer Yuxiao Yuan takes a look at what is being proposed.   Of course, improved infrastructure can only take you so far. There are other aspects to the relationship between the Town and the MBTA which could further relieve the situation. For Select Board member Marianne Cooley, this signals a perfect opportunity to engage with the MBTA to negotiate a better approach.  

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