MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MWRC)

Names of the cities in towns in Greater Boston written in white over a blue background. The cities and towns in the MetroWest Regional Collaborative subregion are written in green.
MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MWRC)

MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MWRC)

The MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MWRC) is a Greater Boston subregion of ten (10) communities: Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Marlborough, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Wayland, Wellesley, and Weston, working collaboratively on regional issues.

MWRC works to coordinate the MetroWest local governments to continue to make the subregion a healthy, sustainable, equitable, safe, prosperous, and efficient place to live.

We facilitate interlocal collaboration, planning and problem solving, and advocate for locally-initiated regional solutions to policy and planning challenges.


 

Your Subregional Coordinators:
Camille Jonlin, [email protected]
Travis Pollack, [email protected]

MWRC Executive Board

Chair: Yolanda Greaves, Ashland Select Board

Vice Chair: Amanda Loomis, Natick Director of Community and Economic Development

Clerk: Laurie Bent, Weston Select Board

At-large Member: Kathleen Robey, Marlborough City Council

At-large Member: Rick McKenna, Framingham Economic Development Corporation and Business Outreach Manager

MWRC | About

Our Purpose

The purpose of MWRC is to:

  • Provide a forum for communication and knowledge sharing between and among the MWRC municipalities about municipal planning and best practices;
  • Support regional collaboration on policy and planning matters;
  • Advocate for regional priorities; and
  • Pursue projects of regional significance

MWRC | Meetings and Events

Upcoming Meetings and Events

October 17, 2024 | MetroWest Trails Summit
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Meeting at the Ashland Community Center
Register to Join Us

December 5, 2024 | Meeting
8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Zoom* | Agenda forthcoming

January 2025 | Potential In-person DEI Practices Meeting, to be determined

February 27, 2025 | Meeting
8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Zoom* | Agenda forthcoming

March 27, 2025 | Meeting (may be replaced with in-person Spring Legislative Breakfast)
8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Zoom* | Agenda forthcoming

April 24, 2025 | Meeting
8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Zoom* | Agenda forthcoming

May 22, 2025 | Meeting
8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Zoom* | Agenda forthcoming

June 26, 2025 | Meeting
8:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Zoom* | Agenda forthcoming

*Zoom details included in agendas posted, typically no later than 5 business days before the meeting.

 

MWRC | Communities

MWRC | Projects

Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Projects

Back view of numerous people walking along a trail surrounded by trees and greenery.
LandLine/MetroWest Trails and Greenways. Back view of numerous people walking along a trail surrounded by trees and greenery | Photo Credit: MAPC.

LandLine/MetroWest Trails and Greenways (ongoing project)

MAPC has been working with Collaborative communities on advancing planning, design and construction of trails and greenways since 2021, with the purpose of filling in gaps in the regional LandLine network. Recent work has focused on closing one priority trail gap in each participating municipality with an opportunity for communities to choose a new focus if necessary.  

The 2023 year culminated in the trail summit in Framingham in October, where over 70 participants discussed how to prioritize trails for dense and/or environmental justice communities, with an emphasis on connecting the Bruce Freeman Trail and the Upper Charles Trail through underserved communities in and around downtown Framingham. The summit included walks and tours, including a walk around Farm Pond.  

For 2024-2025, MAPC is focusing on holding sessions on scoping, planning, or implementation of priority projects, along with holding the annual MetroWest trail summit.  

Side view close-up of a yellow school bus - parked with other yellow school buses parked in the background - sunny day with clouds in sky
Side view close-up of a yellow school bus - parked with other yellow school buses parked in the background - sunny day with clouds in sky | Photo Credit: AdobeStock_826444834

School Fleet Electrification (FY2024-2025)

This project is studying pathways to electrification of school transportation in each community with consideration of opportunities for funding and regional collaboration. The aim is a study that results in recommended strategies and considers financial, operational/logistical, political and equitable access implications. This report aims to position communities to be able to apply for state and federal funding.  

The project addresses several community needs: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality, reducing noise pollution in the community, diminishing racial and social disparities by providing equal access to clean and safe transportation for all students.  All MWRC communities are participating along with other communities that are part of school districts in greater MetroWest.  

In white writing on a red background, text says, "What's In Your Emergency Kit" and has icons of a backpack, cell phone, flashlight, first-aid kit, money, canned vegetables, a radio, medicine, water, pet food, and baby supplies. To see the full list of emergency supplies, visit www.FraminghamMA.gov/ReadyFramingham.
In white writing on a red background, text says, "What's In Your Emergency Kit" and has icons of a backpack, cell phone, flashlight, first-aid kit, money, canned vegetables, a radio, medicine, water, pet food, and baby supplies. To see the full list of emergency supplies, visit www.FraminghamMA.gov/ReadyFramingham | Image Credit: City of Framingham

Climate Readiness for Environmental Justice Populations (FY2024-2025)

A recommendation from the MetroWest Climate Equity Project from 2021-2022, this project offers technical assistance to create and disseminate climate readiness materials for MetroWest Environmental Justice (EJ) neighborhoods. Through the project, MAPC has facilitated workshops with the municipalities and community climate liaisons to develop communication materials and a dissemination plan. Materials are translated in Portuguese and Spanish to meet the local language needs and include items such as postcards, magnets, website pages and information about topics such as cooling/heating centers and emergency alerts. The project is being co-led by residents living in EJ communities.  

Participating municipalities are Ashland, Framingham, and Natick. Staff from each of the communities have a demonstrated commitment to carrying the work forward.   

 

A collage of five different photos. One photo is of a large room with many people sitting at tables. One photo is of a group of people standing outside. One photo is of many people walking outside on what looks like a brick path. One photo is of a person posting something onto a posterboard on an easal. One photo is of two people talking and leaning over a large white sheet of paper on a table.
Collage of photos from the Regional Trails Creative Placemaking Workshops in October and November 2023, that were hosted by MAPC as part of the Regional Trails Creative Placemaking Strategy project | Photo Credit: MAPC

Regional Trails Creative Placemaking (FY2024)

In October and November MAPC staff hosted two Regional Trails Creative Placemaking Workshops as part of the Regional Trails Creative Placemaking Strategy project. The workshops included interactive mapping activities, breakout group discussions, and “WalkShop” discussions on using arts and culture, including inclusive signage and wayfinding, to connect trails with commercial areas and make them inclusive for all users.
The events were held in Acton and Holliston and sponsored by the Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC) and MWRC.
The project deliverables include data and spatial analysis; technical assistance and funding to develop a Call for Temporary Public Art; a Demonstration and Celebration of the selected Temporary Public Art; and a Regional Trails Creative Placemaking Strategy Report.

MWRC | Photo Gallery