Patrick talks transportation in Lynn

LYNN – Secretary of Transportation Rich Davies and state Sen. Thomas McGee used Gov. Deval Patrick’s visit to Lynn Thursday to highlight the city’s transportation future and potential.Standing atop the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority parking garage on Broad Street McGee pointed out the site of the future Lynn ferry. He then crossed the roof and pointed to the commuter rail tracks to discuss the long debated Blue Line extension.View a photo gallery”This was a chance for the governor to talk about his proposal and an opportunity for us to talk about the importance of things we see, particularly the Blue Line extension,” McGee said.McGee was joined by state representatives Robert Fennell and Steven Walsh along with Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, former Mayor Thomas Costin, Community Development Director James Marsh, city councilors Hong Net, Buzzy Barton and Brendon Crighton, North Shore Community College President Wayne Burton, Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leslie Gould as well as members of the chamber and the public at large.The reference to Patrick’s proposal was in regards to the tax package the governor unveiled during his State of the Commonwealth Address Wednesday. In his speech Patrick proposed a $1.9 billion tax increase that includes a 1 percent income tax increase coupled with a 1.75 decrease in the state’s sales tax. The tax hike would be aimed at unmet needs in transportation and education, he said.After touring the Central Square platform Davies and McGee talked to Patrick about thinking outside the box when it came to rail service.Davies showed photos of DMUs, a diesel multiple unit often and less expensively.Patrick asked pointed questions about how the DMUs would be used and about the future ferry service. He said if the city could secure some sort of Blue Line extension coupled with the ferry and the bus service and rapid transit it already has, “Lynn could be an intermodal transportation hub.”McGee called Patrick’s visit “a good stop” and a “good day.”Patrick did not escape the city without having to answer for his proposed tax hike. When asked if he thought he would receive support from Beacon Hill for the package Patrick said he believed that everyone was focused on transportation and education needs statewide.”I think you have to give them a chance to digest this,” he said. “It’s a comprehensive package.”McGee did not jump to support Patrick in the moment but he did agree that infrastructure needs to be a priority. Whether the state gets to that priority by adopting Patrick’s tax increase or through other avenues has yet to be determined, he said, adding, “we will take a look at the plan.”Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].