The Public Facilities Committee voted to approve the following (see report and meeting video):
- Appropriation of $2,453,904.27 for Capital Improvement Plan inflow and infiltration projects (8-0) Department of Public Works “Commissioner Sullivan explained that this item is a request for the I&I mitigation fund, which has accumulated over several years from different projects, to be used for the I&I capital improvement plan.”
- New Cingular Wireless petition for wireless grant of location on Delmore Road, Walnut Street, Boylston Street, and Hammond Street (8-0) on above ground poles to improve coverage.
The Public Facilities Committee voted to hold the following:
- Renaming Oak Hill Park “roadways” to honor veterans (8-0) discussion continued; administrative/records impacts reviewed. The Police and Fire departments support the request. Homeowners would be required to change deeds, mortgages, vehicle registrations, IRS information, and more. The committee discussed the option of a honorary sign as an alternative to renaming.
- Bullough’s Pond Dam rehabilitation (8-0) continued discussion of three design alternatives (Downstream Erosion Protection; Core Wall Raise; Steel Sheet Pile), flood risk, and mitigation projects. The three options would minimize but not prevent an overtopping event. Only a bigger dam would prevent overtopping. The GSI consultant recommended the core wall option of a larger and higher concrete block dam, which would cost an estimated $8 million. Next steps include looking into grant opportunities to reduce costs, proceeding to final design, applying for approval with the Conservation Commission and Office of Dam Safety, and sending the project out to bid.
- Request to amend City ordinance to waive new sidewalk requirement in the cases of 50% or more renovations (8-0) “A councilor mentioned that part of the issue is that residents tend to find out they are responsible for ordinance B-42 towards the end of the construction process, when they have already invested a significant amount of money. Another councilor noted the difference between developers versus residents triggering the ordinance. … A resident stated the ordinance tripled the price of what he had anticipated his renovations would cost.”
Attendees: Councilors Albright, Leary, Kelley, Gentile, Getz, Danberg, Laredo, Kalis; also present: Councilors Farrell, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver, Micley, and GEI consultant Jim Nickerson. Staff: DPW Commissioner Shawna Sullivan; COO Jonathan Yeo; City Engineer Alfredo Vargas; Associate City Engineer John Daghlian; Parks & Recreation/Culture Deputy Commissioner & City Forester Mark Welch; Director of Parks & Open Space Luis Demorizi.
