Mayor’s Update
June 7, 2021
Mayor Donna D. Holaday
Fiscal Year 2022 Water and Sewer Rates – In your agenda packets today are the DPS recommendations for Fiscal Year 2022 Water and Sewer Rates. DPS and the Water and Sewer Commission have been working with Environmental Partners on an ongoing rate study. The recommended rates are based on this ongoing study and would utilize a portion of retained earnings to offset the increase. Councillors will recall that water and sewer rates remained flat and did not change in fiscal year 2021 in response to the financial uncertainties with regards to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The recommendations are based on proposed operating budget. The EP rate study will consider rate adjustments based on future capital infrastructure needs.
The Water and Sewer Commission will be taking up the DPS rate recommendations at its June 14 meeting. The rates would need to go into effect July 1st and I will make sure staff is available for the Councilors review of this recommendation.
Lease of 50 Parker Street for Parks Department: In tonight’s City Council packet is a Letter of Intent from the landlord of 50 Parker Street for the City to lease for a new Parks Department headquarters. We including a funding request for the first year of a lease in the May 27th Council meeting. The 5,100 SF space could accommodate all the department’s needs, including workspace and a breakroom, storage, and a loading dock. The space is also conveniently located near the Rail Trail. Lease payments after year one would be included in the operating budget starting in FY2023. We received a copy of the lease agreement today and I will submit to the City Council after it is reviewed by KP Law. I urge the City Council to approve the lease of this much needed space for our Parks Department and will make staff available to any questions in your review. The site has been posted in the Central Registry as required under 30B but listed as an “uniqueness” exception due to the specifics of the space- loading dock, work space etc. per KP Law. KP is also reviewing the actual lease document which I will forward to you upon their completion.
MSBA & SOI: Please note the deadline of 6/25 for our Statement of Interest for NHS to be uploaded to the MA School Building Authority.
West End Fire Station & HQ Feasibility Study: Winter Street Architects have submitted the conceptual designs and estimated costs. The Station Building Committee will meet shortly to review, followed by a meeting at the Cutter Station for abutters and then a public meeting. Dates will be finalized shortly.
CSO Update:
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Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, June 9 at 4:00 PM: Ribbon Cutting for Shoreline Resiliency and Rail Trail Project at Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Thursday, June 10 at 3:30 PM: Ribbon Cutting for 1 Boston Way Minco 40R development
- Sunday, June 13 at 8:15 AM Firefighters Memorial Ceremony at 0 Greenleaf
- Friday June 18 at 11:30 AM – Juneteenth Ceremony at City Hall
- DEI Alliance “Look, Listen and Learn” virtual Community Conversations:
- June 8- What are our community values and beliefs?
- June 15- What is the role of law enforcement in our community?
- June 29- How do our values guide city decision making?
Visit website to sign up: nbptdeialliance.com
NHS Graduates: Congratulations to all of our 2021 graduates who received their diplomas yesterday in a return to a full ceremony.