The Public Facilities Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch NewTV video):
- Request for a grant of location to install and maintain gas main in Ward Street. City Engineer Lou Taverna explained that the gas main needs to be removed and relocated in order for the MWRA to install a new water main in Ward Street and then for the City to shut off the existing water main and use the MWRA main as a main fee to the covered reservoir and use the MWRA’s contractor to remove and replace the old water main. The Committee voted to approve 7-0.
The Committee held the following:
- Request for a grant of location in Grove Street to relocate facilities for the MBTA. According to the report, MBTA Representative said that the MBTA is expanding the station to include office buildings not associated with the approved Riverside MBTA development. Councilors expressed concerns that no information about this project was raised during liaison meetings and the item was held 6-0,Danberg and Laredo not voting).
- Request for a grant of location to install and maintain gas main in Chestnut Hill Road. According to the report, the item was initially amended to only include the public ways. Several residents expressed concerns that this project was not part of the GCEP, that there will be a resurfacing project of Gatehouse Road, and Meigh Road as part of the Stormwater Management project paid by the residets of the private ways and there was no desire to have these streets torn up after having been repaved and resurfaced, and that there are alternatives such as lining pipes rather than full replacement. The Committee shared similar concerns regarding the GCEP and wanted more information regarding alternatives to replacing pipes and held the item.
- Discussion Regarding Stormwater Program – held 7-0.
- Requesting a Discussion with DPW regarding the Phosphorus Control Plan and NPDES Permit – held 7-0.
- Ordinance amendment to increase number of units eligible for 2nd meters. According to the report, Councilor Norton, lead docketer said that condo units were not included when the Council passed the 2nd water meter ordinance – which allows an exemption for single and two family homes, even though they (condo units) act as one. The Administration responded that they did not have the bandwidth to deal with this at this time (undergoing water meter replacement project) and Law Department explained the lien process: unpaid lien is committed to the tax bill and municipality is authorized to apportion that amount of the tax bill to every individual property that is part of the complex in proportion to their undivided interest in the common areas. Committee members expressed interest in learning more and the item was held 7-0.
