MVMPO FAQS
If you need this information in another language, please contact the MVMPO Title VI/Anti-Discrimination Coordinator at 978-374-0519.
Si necesita esta información en otro idioma, comuníquese con el Coordinador contra la discriminación/Título VI de MVMPO al 978-374-0519.
Caso precise destas informações em outro idioma, entre em contato com o Coordenador de Título VI/Antidiscriminação da MVMPO pelo telefone 978-374-0519.
如果需要使用其它语言了解信息，请联系Merrimack Valley大都会规划组织（MVMPO）《民权法案》第六章协调员，电话978-374-0519.
Si w bezwen enfòmasyon nan lòt lang, tanpri kontakte Kowòdinatè Tit VI/Kont Diskriminasyon an nan 978-374-0519.
Nếu quý vị cần thông tin bằng một ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng liên hệ Điều Phối Viên Tiêu Đề VI/Chống Phân Biệt Đối Xử của MVMPO theo số 978-374-0519.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization?
The Merrimack Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (or MVMPO) guides regional transportation planning and determines how federal aid will be used to support regional transportation. Board members are appointed by their respective communities to support transportation planning from a regional perspective. The Board is staffed my Merrimack Valley Planning Commission’s Transportation Program.
MVMPO programs apportioned and discretionary federal aid (i.e. obligates the use of federal funds to support local needs). Apportioned aid is made available to states by the federal government in amounts determined by formulas included in federal surface transportation legislation, the most recent being the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (BIL). Apportioned aid comprises most of the federal aid that MPOs are responsible for programming. MPOs are also responsible for programming discretionary aid—aid that is not guaranteed and often awarded to regions and municipalities through competitive grant processes—and earmarks.
To remain eligible to program available federal aid, MVMPO must produce and endorse four certification documents: the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and a Public Participation Plan. Each document fulfills a particular purpose and can be viewed below.
What are the four certification documents MVMPO develops and executes?
|
Document |
Purpose |
Horizon |
Update Timeline |
|
Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) |
Establishes the annual work program for the MVMPO staff, including studies and tasks that support member communities. |
One Year |
Annually, endorsed in spring |
|
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) |
Programs federal and state aid funding for specific transportation projects. |
Five Years |
Annually, endorsed in spring |
|
Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) |
Establishes the long-range vision for a region, including goals and objectives. Identifies projects and strategies to realize the vision. |
Twenty to Twenty-Five Years |
Updated every four to five years, depending on current surface transportation legislation; typically endorsed in summer. |
|
Public Participation Plan (PPP) |
Establishes standards and policies for engaging communities in the 3C transportation planning process. |
Continuous |
As warranted, typically every five years |
Can Federal Certification Documents be changed after they are endorsed?
Yes! Transportation planning is an evolving, continuous process. The MVMPO routinely reviews and makes decisions on adjustments and amendments to annual Unified Planning Work Programs and Transportation Improvement Programs. While less frequent, the MVMPO may also adjust or amend to the region’s Public Participation Plan and Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Changes are always reviewed at MVMPO meetings, and public comment is welcome. Depending on the scale of a proposed change, public hearings and a comment period may also be required.
Who are my MVMPO representatives and how do I contact them?
MVMPO Board members are selected consistent with the MVMPO Memorandum of Understanding. A list of the current MVMPO Board and recognized alternates can be found below. In many cases, designated alternates are more frequently involved in the representation process than the persons noted in the MOU.
MVMPO’s transportations staff can directly connect you with your board representative(s). Please contact [email protected] for further information.
MVMPO Representatives
Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and CEO
Jonathan Gulliver, Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division Administrator
Jerrard Whitten (Executive Director), representing Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Chairperson
Kassandra Gove (Mayor of Amesbury), Merrimack Valley Transit Advisory Board Chairperson
Melinda Barrett, Mayor of Haverhill
Brian D. De Peña, Mayor of Lawrence
Neil Harrington (Salisbury Town Manager), Region 1, Coastal Core: Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury
Robert Snow (Rowley Selectperson), Region 2, Coastal Ring: Newbury, Rowley, and West Newbury
Matt Coogan (Town Administrator/CPO), Region 3, Central River: Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, and Merrimac
Paul Materazzo (Andover, Planning Director), Region 4, Western River: Andover, Methuen, and North Andover
MVMPO Recognized Alternates
David Mohler (Director of Planning), representing Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and CEO
Steve Woelfel (Deputy Director of Planning), representing Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and CEO
Derek Krevat (Office of Transportation Planning Manager), rep. Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and CEO
Brian Fallon (District Four Project Engineer), representing Massachusetts Highway Division Administrator
Jerrard Whitten (MVPC Executive Director), representing Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Chairperson
Jenifer Dunlap (MVPC Deputy Director), representing Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Chairperson
Noah Berger, (MeVa Administrator), rep. Merrimack Valley Transit Advisory Board Chairperson
Bonnie Mahoney, (MeVa Chief Compliance Officer), rep. Merrimack Valley Transit Advisory Board Chairperson
John Pettis (City Engineer), representing Mayor of Haverhill
Kathleen Lambert (Mayor’s Office), representing Mayor of Haverhill
Dan McCarthy (Planning Director), representing Mayor of Lawrence
Octavien Spanner (Senior Adviser), representing Mayor of Lawrence
Jerry Klima (Coastal Trails Coalition), representing Region 1, Coastal Core
Rebecca Oldham (Groveland Town Administrator), representing Region 3, Central Ring
Lisa Schwarz (Andover Assistant Planning Director), representing Region 4, Western River
How can I access older MVMPO documents?
Looking for a previous TIP, UPWP, long-range plan, or regional study? We can help. Please contact [email protected].