The Select Board on Sept. 30 approved an amended grant of location for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) C‑branch accessibility project at the Inglewood Avenue and Tappan Street stations, a necessary step for final design and construction. The motion passed by roll call with all five Select Board members voting aye.

The project will raise platforms to an 8‑inch height, consolidate some stops, lengthen and widen platforms and add wayfinding and lighting, MBTA project manager Matt Conover told the board. “At the completion of the project, the entire C branch will be accessible,” Conover said during the presentation.

The MBTA asked the town to amend a historic 1897 location to allow construction and placement of electrical equipment, platforms and sloped walkways for the two stations. MBTA deputy chief Gwen Dunleavy told the board the requested amendment excludes shelters and curb ramps; those elements will be handled later by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the MBTA and Brookline.

Why it matters: Brookline officials and residents pressed the MBTA for design changes intended to reduce tree removals, preserve parking where possible and keep the streetscape character of Beacon Street. The Select Board approved the grant of location “conditioned on the assurances the MBTA has provided the town during the development of the C branch accessibility project,” language added to memorialize negotiated commitments before proceeding to an MOU and final permits.

What the board heard: MBTA presenters described station problems that the project aims to fix — narrow and uneven platforms, limited wayfinding, crowding and poor lighting — and estimated a 3–7 percent reduction in branch travel time after platform consolidation and other changes. Dunleavy presented detailed footprints for Englewood (outbound ~2,000 sq. ft.; inbound ~1,600 sq. ft.) and Tappan (outbound ~2,200 sq. ft.; inbound ~1,800 sq. ft.) that include platforms, accessible slopes and electrical equipment within the requested granted area.

Select Board members and town staff pressed the MBTA on tree protection, lighting style and how commitments would be enforced. Town counsel explained that state law and MBTA statutes limit the town’s ability to condition grants of location with local bylaws; associate town counsel Susan Harris told the board the MBTA is “exempt from essentially certain local zoning and other bylaws” and the town cannot encumber a grant with conditions not part of the original grant. The board and MBTA representatives said they will use the forthcoming MOU to capture mitigation measures, tree replanting and design details such as fixture style and placement.

Public comment included statements by the Brookline Transportation Board and neighborhood advocates urging careful follow‑through on tree mitigation plans. Brian Kane, chair of the Transportation Board, told the Select Board the Transportation Board supports the MBTA proposal and looks forward to voting on related parking and crosswalk changes after the grant of location is finalized.

Next steps and timing: The Select Board’s approved location allows the MBTA to proceed with final design, permitting and construction scheduling. MBTA staff said they are coordinating timing with contractors and will avoid beginning work and leaving sites open through winter; they expect construction of the project to be completed before the end of 2026 if schedules permit. The MBTA and town will negotiate a memorandum of understanding to place outside‑grant elements (shelters, curb ramps, tree lawn replanting, lighting style) in writing and provide the town with assurances the board asked to be memorialized.

Vote: The board’s motion to grant an amended location for Beacon Street at Tappan Street and Inglewood Avenue, conditioned on MBTA assurances developed during the project, passed by roll call (John VanScolia: aye; Paul Warren: aye; David Perlman: aye; Michael Rubinstein: aye; Chair Bernard Green: aye).

Provenance: MBTA presentation and board discussion began when the MBTA team returned to present station details and the requested grant of location; the board voted to approve the amended grant of location at the conclusion of the public hearing and discussion.