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Matthew Mclaughlin*
(pdf of answers)
About the Candidate |
1. How do you move around your community and get to where you need to go? |
2. What is a particularly dangerous problem or location in your community for people walking, biking, taking transit, or for people with disabilities that you'd like to see addressed? |
3. Why do you think people who care about walking, biking, transit, and mobility issues should vote for you? |
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Matthew Mclaughlin |
I use my bike to get everywhere all four seasons. I have my own bike and also use Blue Bikes. If I can’t use a bike I use the bus. I do not own a car. |
Ward 1 is surrounded by highways. Residents can’t leave the ward without crossing a highway. We had a recent fatality by the Kensington underpass towards Assembly Row. I continually fight for better bike and pedestrian access at these dangerous intersections. |
Because I’m one of the few people consistently fighting for pedestrian and bike accessibility in Ward 1. Most of the attention for vision zero goals are focused on the west side that does not have nearly as many accessibility problems as the east. People in my ward are less likely to advocate for themselves so I have to work much harder to get equitable distribution of resources. |
Policy Proposals |
1. How will you ensure implementation of the infrastructure changes needed to slow traffic on your community's streets, and improve crosswalks and intersections to make them safer for people who are walking and using mobility assistive devices? |
2. How will you improve the reach, frequency, and quality of public transit in Somerville? |
3. How will you ensure fast-tracked implementation of a city-wide network of off-street paths and protected bike lanes on major thoroughfares and connecting streets that are safe and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities? |
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Matthew Mclaughlin |
This is again a problem of resources. I’ve been told by city staff that other neighborhoods get more attention because residents are louder. I have to constantly remind staff and residents that my ward is neglected in many regards, especially in terms of accessibility. I was one of the earliest supporters of the Neighborways program. I didn’t get nearly as much as I wanted but the small gains we did make were helpful. We are making progress on the Kensington underpass that I hope will be completed soon. I need the city to provide basic traffic calming measures to the ward like they do elsewhere. |
I think separated bus lanes on main streets like Broadway and Washington Street make sense. We also need more buses in general. This is again an example of unequal transit accessibility. The 90 bus connects East and West Somerville and is one of the least frequent busses. In 2010 I fought to stop the MBTA from cutting this and other bus lines, such as the bus line to the Mystic Projects. I always promote accessibility for those who need it most. |
The Neighborways program is a cheap, simple and effective way to connect the city with painted bike and walk ways. My top priority is bike lanes and reduced speeding on all of the state highways that separate my ward from the rest of the city. I look forward to the extension of the bike path from West to East Somerville and into Boston. I advocated for this bike lane when it was slated to be cut during GLX budget cuts. |
Additional Questions
Click on the categories below for the complete question asked. Click on any answer with a * for further explanation of the candidate's stance.
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Do you support: |
1. Vision Zero 1. Vision Zero is an approach which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries and has been adopted by Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, and many other cities across the country. Do you support the principles of Vision Zero policies and funding for their rapid implementation? click outside popup to close |
2. State law allowing automated enforcement 2. One key strategy that has been proven to effectively reduce speeding, improve safety, and remove racial bias in traffic enforcement in other states and countries is automated enforcement (i.e. speed cameras and red light cameras). Do you support S.1376, An Act relative to automated enforcement, which if passed would authorize cities and towns in Massachusetts to opt into the use of automated enforcement? To see the full text of the bill, visit malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1376 click outside popup to close |
3. Bike Network Plan 3. Do you support the implementation of improved bike facilities identified in your community's Bike Network Plan or do you support the creation of a Bike Network Plan if none already exists? click outside popup to close |
4. Age-friendly walking conditions 4. Do you support creating age-friendly walking conditions in your community -- an issue raised by many seniors as critical to their ability to 'age in community'? If yes, how? click outside popup to close |
(more below) |
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Matthew Mclaughlin |
Strongly Support |
Somewhat Support* Matthew MclaughlinI support it so long as civil liberties are respected. So far S 1376 does this. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support* Matthew MclaughlinI have four senior homes in my ward. I regularly work with the city to ensure streets and city buildings are ADA accessible. click outside popup to close |
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Do you support: |
5. Restriction of parking for bus-only lanes 5. Do you support the restriction of on-street parking during rush hour in order to create dedicated bus lanes on certain major thoroughfares where bus riders experience significant delays due to traffic congestion? click outside popup to close |
6. New revenue sources 6. Do you support exploring new ways of raising revenue to provide Somerville with more tools to improve conditions for people walking, using mobility assistive devices, biking, and using public transit (e.g. increasing the gas tax, implementing congestion pricing, increasing fees on Uber/Lyft)? If yes, please give examples that interest you. click outside popup to close |
7. Dynamic parking meter pricing 7. Do you support the rollout of dynamic parking meter pricing in business districts, which would increase meter rates during periods of increased demand, to free up on-street parking and reduce cars "cruising" for open spaces? click outside popup to close |
8. Raising residential parking permit fee 8. Do you support raising the annual fee for residential parking permits? click outside popup to close |
9. Reducing/ eliminating MBTA fares 9. Do you support reducing or eliminating MBTA fares for people with low income? click outside popup to close |
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Matthew Mclaughlin |
Strongly Support* Matthew MclaughlinI strongly support but it depends on where. Greater Boston roads are often very different from each other. What may work in one location may not work in another. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support* Matthew MclaughlinA congestion fee is definitely worth pursuing. Regional permit parking is another option that the city has more control over. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Oppose* Matthew MclaughlinI believe increased fees for residential parking is a regressive tax that will only affect the city's poorest residents. Studies show that affluent people continue to own cars even if they’re next to public transit. An increase in fees will not affect them at all. Instead I support restricting parking permits for new developments that request waivers from parking requirements. This will enable developers to build less parking and put teeth behind the claim that less people will own cars if we build less parking. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support* Matthew MclaughlinFree public transit for all! click outside popup to close |
About the Candidate
Policy Proposals
Additional Questions
I support it so long as civil liberties are respected. So far S 1376 does this.
I have four senior homes in my ward. I regularly work with the city to ensure streets and city buildings are ADA accessible.
I strongly support but it depends on where. Greater Boston roads are often very different from each other. What may work in one location may not work in another.
A congestion fee is definitely worth pursuing. Regional permit parking is another option that the city has more control over.
I believe increased fees for residential parking is a regressive tax that will only affect the city's poorest residents. Studies show that affluent people continue to own cars even if they’re next to public transit. An increase in fees will not affect them at all. Instead I support restricting parking permits for new developments that request waivers from parking requirements. This will enable developers to build less parking and put teeth behind the claim that less people will own cars if we build less parking.
Free public transit for all!