Massachusetts Gov. Baker appoints members to new MBTA fiscal board

Massachusetts Gov. Charles Baker late last week appointed five members to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) newly established fiscal management and control board.

The board’s first meeting is scheduled for today.

By statute, the board will consist of five members: three from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board (MassDOT), one with experience in transportation finance, and another with experience in mass transit operations.

"Fixing the MBTA will be a complex task, but moving forward with a fiscal management and control board dedicated solely to the T's operations and finances is an important step toward delivering accountability for taxpayers and riders," Baker said in a statement.

The MBTA's new fiscal control board includes MassDOT board members Steve Poftak, executive director of the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston at Harvard Kennedy School; Lisa Calise, chief financial officer of Perkins School for the Blind; and Monica Tibbits-Nutt, executive director of the 128 Business Council.

Brian Lang, president of the UNITE HERE Local 26 union for hotel and food service workers, will also serve on the MBTA's new board.

The board will be chaired by Joseph Aiello, a partner and director of North American business development at Meridiam Infrastructure.

An earlier panel report commissioned by Baker recommended creating the board following severe weather-related delays and service disruptions in February.