State Representative Denise C. Garlick represents the 43,000 people of the 13 Norfolk District, comprised of Needham, Dover and Medfield (precincts 1 and 2). She currently serves as the Chair of Bills in Third Reading, which is the final committee legislation must pass before it can be engrossed. She is also serving as the elected Chair of the permanent funded Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and she is the only legislator serving on the Opioid Trust Fund Advisory Council.
One of the most predominant issues I hear from constituents is regarding transportation — whether it’s the train, the traffic, the add-a-lane project, bicycles, and pedestrian safety — these issues affect nearly everyone in our Towns. I have met with constituents, interest groups, and other stakeholders on a myriad of issues related to transportation in Needham.
In the light of the recent tragedy in the town of Needham, I worked to successfully secure $200,000 in funds for Needham pedestrian safety improvements.
I have worked to be responsive to concerns about the MBTA. Through advocacy and collaboration with the Town and Keolis/MBTA, I restored Saturday commuter rail service and were able to change the departure time of an important morning commuter train to better meet the needs of commuters. I have worked to establish better practices to manage train idling and, in response to concerns, Kelois is currently working on the maintenance and repair of train platforms.
I have continuously partnered with MassDOT to ensure a high level of communication with constituents as the Add-a-Lane project has progressed and worked with individual constituents who have specific, related issues and concerns. Furthermore, I have worked to preserve the 59 bus route, which transports older adults and those with disabilities and I successfully secured the $70,000 that allowed the construction of the Rail Trail, in which the town delights.