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UCANE E-News

May 29, 2009
Submitted by Michael Galli
Legislative Liaison

Chatham Approves Coastal Waters Cleanup

By Susan Milton, www.capecodonline.com - www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090515/NEWS/905150311

Despite the depths of a recession, voters of Chatham boosted their property taxes to start cleaning up the town's coastal waters. By a 721-261 margin, voters agreed to borrow $59.5 million, the first installment on a cleanup effort estimated to cost $300 million over several decades. The debt exclusion measure approved exempts the loan costs from the limits of Proposition 2½. Beginning in 2013, the borrowing costs will raise the taxes on a $600,000 home by $120 to $180 a year ($10-$15/month), according to town officials. "Question 1 was critical," Selectman Leonard Sussman said of the wastewater initiative last night at the polls. "The town stood up for it loud and strong at town meeting, but there's always a concern about more people showing up at the election."

By agreeing to spend millions on wastewater infrastructure including sewers, the town hopes to get millions back in grants and loans. The voters' commitment to borrow the money was required for the town to qualify for more than $55 million in state clean water loans at interest rates as low as zero percent. Federal stimulus money could also help the effort. Proposed new sewers throughout town will eventually take the place of septic systems and treat 93 percent of the nitrogen from septic systems that now seeps into the town's bays, ponds and rivers, according to local officials. Nitrogen feeds the explosive growth of algae in bodies of water, which depletes oxygen in the water and kills off marine life.

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Cape Cod Waters Deteriorating From Leaking Septic Systems

According to experts at a panel discussion on wastewater at Cape Cod Community College, the Cape’s septic systems have been leaking nitrates into waters – waters that attract tourists to the Cape. According to environmental regulators, installing sewers will remedy the problem by significantly eliminating the nitrates. The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) has threatened to sue the State, federal and local government agencies that have not yet solved the problem. In the past, CLF suits against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Metropolitan District Commission helped to force the Boston Harbor cleanup.

According to Cynthia Liebman, Staff Attorney for the CLF, the foundation’s lawyers are still reviewing the Cape data and have yet to decide on moving forward with a suit or not. In 2008, lawmakers introduced the Clean Water Bill, which provides 0% interest loans for cities/towns to finance wastewater projects for 10 years. The 10 year window to receive the loans begins this year.

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$7M In Grants Available For "Brownfields" In Mass.

The grants for Mass. include nearly $2.7M of ARRA funds and $4.4M from EPA Brownfields General Program funding. “Cleaning and reusing contaminated properties provides the catalyst to improving the lives of residents living in or near brownfields communities,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “A revitalized brownfields site reduces threats to human health and the environment, creates green jobs, promotes community involvement, and attracts investment in local neighborhoods.”

Applicants selected to receive Recovery Act funds are:

Applicants selected to receive brownfields general program funds are:

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Senate Approves State Sales Tax Hike To 6.25%

The first increase to the Mass. Sales tax since 1975, passed the Senate with overwhelming support with a 29 to 10 vote in favor of the sales tax increase. This increase, estimated to generate $633M, places Mass. with the second highest sales tax rate in New England, ninth in the Nation. In an effort to help offset pending cuts in local aid, the Senate also approved a measure to give cites and towns the option of increasing taxes up to 2% on local meals and lodging taxes, lift sales tax exemption on alcohol and the authority to lift property tax exemptions on telephone equipment. The Senate also voted 33 to 6 against Governor Patrick’s proposed 19 cent increase to the gas tax.

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Edward O’Leary Bridge Scheduled For $10.3M In Repairs

Repairs to the Edward O’Leary Bridge, known as the Route 28 Bridge or Falls Bridge in Lawrence Mass., will last two years, however, the bridge will not be closed. Two lanes of traffic will remain open running North and South to keep traffic moving according to officials. According to MassHighway, the project includes reconstruction of the bridge’s surface, repair of structural steel, replacement of sidewalk supports and catwalks, replacement of its concrete deck and overall cleaned and painted. The repairs will be funded through the State's $3B accelerated bridge repair program which expedites repair and replacement of hundreds of State bridges in need of urgent repair.

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Follow Up: Salem, NH Voters Reject $4.1M Water And Sewer Project

Voters rejected the Canobie Lake project at a special town meeting held on May 19, 2009 by a vote of 508 – 308. The project involved the engineering, design and construction of road and drainage improvements, as well as sewer and water extensions into two separate neighborhoods; South Shore Road and West Duston Road. The urgency of the vote came after Governor John Lynch signed off on SB39 which allows towns to bypass the traditional budget process and take Stimulus-eligible projects straight to voters.

Voters in March 2009 approved spending $2.3M to begin repair to bridges on Lawrence Road and Cluff Crossing, but there was a lack of support to approve the bond. “I’m not terribly surprised” said Selectman Michael Lyons, “I know the bridge bond in March wasn’t typical”.

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