Nashua mayor, picked for Gov.-elect Hassan’s transportation transition team, shares commuter rail goal

NASHUA – When Gov.-elect Maggie Hassan takes over for Gov. John Lynch next month, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau will be part of the team that sets her sights on the state’s transportation priorities. A goal that Lozeau, a Republican, and Hassan, a Democrat, share is bringing passenger rail to the Granite State. On Monday, at The Telegraph’s Nashua 50 reception at the Crowne Plaza, Hassan acknowledged Lozeau’s teamwork while giving a speech on the state’s economic future to nearly 180 business, civic and community leaders from Greater Nashua. “Hopefully, working together, we can find a way to fund that capabilities study for commuter rail to Nashua and, perhaps, beyond,” Hassan said, thanking Lozeau for her “continuing leadership” and her participation on her transportation transition outreach team. Hassan’s remarks are just one more sign that the state is getting onboard with commuter rail. In November, the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority met to discuss drafting a letter to Hassan requesting that she and the Executive Council revisit $3.2 million in federal funds that the council rejected in March by a 3-2 vote. The Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Transit Administration grants, which would fund a study into extending Boston’s commuter rail line through Nashua to Concord, do not expire until December 2013, officials said. Along with her transportation group, Hassan – who will be sworn in as the state’s second female governor Jan. 3 – has announced eight other informal teams that will advise her as she prepares to lead New Hampshire for a two-year term. Along with transportation, Hassan’s transition teams will focus on the state budget, business outreach, office administration, education and the workforce, energy and environment, public safety, health care and North Country priorities. “We move forward best as a state when we bring as many different perspectives to the table as possible to identify solutions to our challenges,” said Hassan in a press release. “My Transition Outreach Teams will communicate with businesses, community leaders, legislators and all those who want to contribute their ideas as we work to develop a balanced budget and build a stronger, more innovative New Hampshire economy.” Hassan’s transportation group also includes Lew Feldstein, former president of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation; Robin Comstock, president of the Greater Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce; Steve Duprey, owner of Duprey Cos.