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SD 1284

An Act relative to naming the Winchester center station after Governor John A. Volpe

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jason Lewis

Establishes a memorial act to name Winchester Center MBTA station for Governor John A. Volpe and creates a Memorial Working Group to design signage and share his history.

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Bill Summary · SD 1284

Summary: Senate Bill No. 1284 — An Act relative to naming the Winchester center station after Governor John A. Volpe

Overview

  • Bill Number: Senate Docket No. 1284
  • Title: An Act relative to naming the Winchester center station after Governor John A. Volpe
  • Sponsor/Origin: Filed by Senator Jason M. Lewis (by request), on behalf of petitioner Vincent Dixon; accompanying bill titled Senate No. 2407
  • Filed: January 16, 2025
  • Purpose: Establish a formal recognition and memorialization program to name the Winchester Center MBTA station in honor of Governor John A. Volpe and to create a structured process for memorialization.

What the bill would do (Key Provisions)

  • Create a new chapter of the General Laws named “The John A. Volpe Winchester Center Station Memorial Recognition Act.”
  • Section II – Purpose:
    • Publicly memorialize Governor John A. Volpe, recognizing his substantial ties to Winchester, MA, and his public life.
    • Highlight Volpe’s notable roles, including: Governor of Massachusetts (three terms), U.S. Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Ambassador to Italy, construction contractor, Navy Seabee, Winchester Town Meeting Member, and chair of national efforts on drunk driving and driving safety.
  • Section III – Memorial Details:
    • Establish the Volpe Memorial Working Group (VMWG), consisting of representatives from:
    • The Town of Winchester
    • The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
    • The Winchester Volpe Memorial Group
    • The MBTA General Manager (GM) shall appoint a Chair of the VMWG.
    • The Chair and the GM shall convene a committee of interested individuals, including Winchester residents and other appropriate participants, to determine the memorial’s design and implementation details (signage, design work, and historical information) near the Winchester Center Station.
    • The VMWG is tasked with keeping meeting records and sustaining an active, ad hoc membership appropriate to Governor Volpe’s legacy.

Who would be affected

  • MBTA and centralized transportation authorities involved in station naming and signage decisions.
  • The Town of Winchester and Winchester residents, who would have representation on the VMWG.
  • Local groups (e.g., Winchester Volpe Memorial Group) aiding in memorial planning and community engagement.
  • Public-facing aspects at the Winchester Center Station (possible signage and informational displays).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill outlines a governance process (VMWG) and assigns leadership roles (MBTA GM as Chair, with a named Chair of the VMWG) but does not specify funding, a timeline for completion, or regulatory deadlines.
  • There are references to a similar proposal from the 2023-2024 session (Senate No. 2259), indicating ongoing interest in memorializing Volpe at the Winchester Center Station.

Potential impact

  • Formal recognition of Governor Volpe’s ties to Winchester and Massachusetts transportation history.
  • A structured, community-inclusive process for determining how the memorial would be presented (signage, design, historical context) near a major transit hub.
  • Enhanced public memory and local historical awareness related to transportation leadership and Volpe’s contributions.

Note

  • The text presented reflects the bill as filed (January 16, 2025) and does not provide status updates or fiscal details. If enacted, further implementing legislation or regulations could be required.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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