MAYOR’S UPDATE
February 25, 2019
Mayor Donna D. Holaday
Waste Stream Task Force Update: Tonight you received an overview of the nearly year-long work of the Waste Stream Task Force. My thanks to the 16 individuals who worked diligently on this effort under the leadership of Molly Ettenborough. Information is included in your City Council packets. The goal is to reduce our waste rather than develop a new revenue stream. The Task Force analysis provides concrete options to address the rising costs of waste hauling. I look forward to our continued discussion and evaluation on the direction our city should take to address waste reduction.
41C 1/2: Following the legislature’s approval of the city’s Home Rule petition, members of the Finance Team developed a comprehensive analysis and a plan to assist our seniors who are struggling with property taxes. This analysis with recommendations will be be presented to the City Council at its next meeting so we may finalize the parameters of 41C1/2 and begin informing the voting members of our city of this important program before the municipal election in November.
Clipper City Rail Trail: It is important to have the redesign of the Rail Trail section behind the Waste Water Treatment Facility ‘shovel ready’ as we advocate for funding in the Environmental Bond bill. We have made contact with Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) who are working on releasing funding from the bond bill. We have forwarded a comprehensive package to EEA on the status of this project. We have several funding options in the works, including for the cleanup of the PCBs that will happen later this year. We ask that you fund the requested $40,000 to address a current gap and allow us to move forward on design, permitting of both the clean-up and raising the rail trail.
42 Milk Street (Brown School): We are making progress with the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) who own the National Guard building on Low St. we use infrequently for Emergency Operations. Once we are assigned a DCAMM Project Manager, we can begin to assess the site, determine if the building is a tear down/renovation, and arrive at costs to purchase and develop the site. DCAMM has indicated the City would be able to purchase at a municipal discounted rate of approximately $.25 on the $1.00. I would respectively ask that any movement on the ordinance in committee on the disposition of the Brown School wait until we have this needed information from the state. We have been working for over a year on the feasibility of the City acquiring this site to relocate Youth Services. As you recall, the legislature had to pass the Military Justice bill so funds from the sale of five identified National Guard properties would go to the Guard as opposed to the State General Fund- the bill was signed by Gov. Baker on Jan. 3, 2019. We will continue to work with the state on the purchase of this property and on the feasibility of a new Youth Services facility. We need a comprehensive plan for the future of Youth Services before we proceed with the sale and redevelopment of the former Brown School.
Fire Station Feasibility Study: Six proposals were received and will be reviewed in the coming weeks.
Upcoming dates:
Mayor’s State of the City: Wed. 2/27 at 7 pm in City Hall Auditorium