Membership on each DAT will be balanced and representative of the community(ies) as a whole. The objective of the DAT membership is to bring a wide range of community perspectives (e.g., residents, commuters, businesses, naturalists, planners, etc.) that are reflective of the overall community character in terms of race, gender, age, and socio-economic status and represent a balance of project-related interests and concerns within the local project area.

 

Community stakeholder members of the DAT were nominated by local leaders from municipal councils, economic development organizations, historic and trail organizations, churches, and other DAT members themselves. DAT members were identified using the member criteria given below.

• Represent a stakeholders' group affected by the project
• Maintain flexibility and perspective; be willing to learn and compromise
• Accept the fact that the final route of the project has been confirmed and that the final design of the Selected Alternative identified in the Record of Decision (ROD) is now underway
• Keep constituents informed of the outcomes of all meetings in a timely manner
• Commit to attendance at late afternoon/early evening or weekend work sessions once a month (estimated on average to be two to three hours in duration)
• Focus comments, criticisms, and deliberations in the DAT work sessions, not in the media (based on the understanding that consensus building is an iterative, negotiated process)
• Commit to reading materials provided prior to meetings
• Be willing to bring new members up to speed
• Be courteous and considerate of the interests and ideas of other DAT members and Turnpike Commission representatives
• Be willing to contribute relevant technical background and knowledge

The DATs are working groups and as such must have a committed and active membership. The specific processes for the addition, withdrawal, or removal of DAT members will be determined by the membership of each individual DAT in its Charter.