School business director Jack Higgins briefed the committee on an incident yesterday involving Bus 17 at the Brailey Road railroad crossing during an afternoon run.

According to Higgins, the driver stopped at the painted line, checked visually and audibly for trains, and began to proceed. Bells and lights activated before the bus reached the track, and the driver stopped and then reversed to the stop line; as the bus was reversing, the crossing safety arm contacted the top of the bus. The train passed about 45 seconds after the warning devices activated.

Higgins said the district and the bus company have been in direct contact with the MBTA about sight‑lines and warning timing at that crossing. He said the district provided counselors today for students as a precaution, and that the town, the bus company and MBTA are coordinating to address sight‑line and warning issues.

Higgins said 14 of the district's 24 buses have routes that cross rail tracks at some point during the day. The district is exploring added measures including bus monitors for affected runs, increased daily communication with the vendor, training from town fire departments, and participation in the MBTA's safety initiatives.

Higgins attributed limited sight lines at the Brailey Road stop to vegetation and other obstructions; he said the MBTA is the agency responsible for maintaining sight lines at crossings and that the district is continuing conversations with the vendor and MBTA.

Clarifying details: incident location: Brailey Road rail crossing; train passed ~45 seconds after bells and lights engaged; number of buses with crossings on routes: 14 of 24. The district reported counselors were made available as a precaution and is considering bus monitors and additional training.