Select Board affirms MBTA plan for C‑branch accessibility after debate over Pin Oak removals

The Brookline Select Board on Sept. 16 heard the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's presentation on a Green Line C‑branch accessibility project and affirmed the Tree Planting Committee's decision permitting the removal of nine public shade trees at the Tappan Street and Englewood Avenue stations, directing the MBTA to return to the board on Sept. 30 for a formal grant of location hearing. "This project will upgrade six stations by raising the platforms to 8 inches," MBTA planner Matt Conover told the board, describing platform changes, station consolidations and design work meant to make the entire C branch accessible.

Why it matters: the MBTA said the upgrades are part of systemwide work required by federal funding and legal agreements to make rapid transit accessible; town residents raised concerns that the work will remove mature roadside trees that contribute to Beacon Street's character and climate resilience. The Select Board and town staff pushed the MBTA for details on tree impacts, parking losses and changes made to generators and planting plans.

MBTA presenters described consolidated platforms, raised 8‑inch boarding platforms used elsewhere on the system, added wayfinding and lighting, and a plan to combine some stops to improve travel times. The agency said the new Type 10…