Reports: Executive Director’s Reports

January 11, 2005

  1. Office of Commonwealth Development - I met with Andrew Gottlieb, who has replaced Gina McCarthy as Deputy Secretary and our prime contact. We reviewed the history of groundwater related problems in Boston and what our data had shown so far. We also discussed the level of commitment from both the City and the Commonwealth. Andrew had read the files that Gina left behind, was very up-to-speed on the subject, and wanted to have as much information as we could give him. He said that the next installment of the Environmental Bond Bill money had been released to the City, although he was not sure whether it was $500K or $600K. He had a groundwater meeting set for Sept. 10 with Bo Holland and Toni Pollak, called at their request.
  2. MBTA Silver Line - I attended a meeting hosted by Rep. Capuano to update concerned groups on the Silver Line Phase III. I raised our concerns about a potential tunnel entrance on Columbus Avenue between Berkeley and Arlington Streets in the heart of a long standing and serious groundwater depression area. On Jan. 10, the MBTA and their consultants met at our office, at their request, with Tim Mitchell, Gary Saunders, Christian Simonelli, and me to discuss the groundwater issues surrounding the project in more detail. We discussed the information that we would like to see in their environmental filings, including details of how the design would minimize any possibility of leakage, how the public could be assured that the design was not changed, how groundwater levels would be monitored during and after construction, and how to institutionalize agreements to remedy any reduction in groundwater level caused by the project. We also reviewed concerns that the Trust had raised on other MBTA projects and asked that those be answered in a substantive way.
  3. MBTA Southwest Corridor - We were asked by the MBTA's consultant to allow them to monitor, probably with level logging equipment, several of the Trust's wells near the southwest corridor that have shown extremely wide short term fluctuations. We agreed subject to getting the data in a timely manner, as well as to a commitment to repair any damages they might cause. We expect data relatively soon.
  4. MBTA Copley Station - We received from the T a copy of their letter from the Federal Transit Administration that includes a "Finding Of No Significant Impact", as well as their Final Environmental Asessment. In their response to BGwT comments, the T commits to installing up to four new monitoring wells in the area to assess existing groundwater conditions. They will also have their contractor monitor at least ten existing wells in the area to completely assess existing conditions. They commit to installing additional wells "if needed". All wells will be turned over to the Trust after construction. They commit to consulting with the Trust on measures to be taken to protect existing timber pile foundations. They also plan to consult with the Trust about potential recharge. They do not address what may be causing low readings at the specific wells cited in the BGwT comment letter.
  5. Rep. Capuano - I met with Jon Lenicheck, aide to Rep. Capuano, to go over current Trust issues.
  6. Northeastern University - I met this morning with Northeastern University to discuss the BRA cooperation agreement for Building F. We had a good session in which we agreed on language relative to sharing data from wells for this project. They will give us the data during construction and either give us data or access (these are on private property) after construction. They are also building a permanent recharge system, as they have done for a previous building, and will share with us their design plans. They will also be providing us historic data going back to 1988 for all of the wells they have monitored, correlating the locations with our numbering system for those we now read, and will share all of their groundwater data in the future. Future projects will also include wells in locations that will be designed for permanent access after construction.
  7. New Employees - As of Jan. 1, Christian Simonelli has joined the Trust as our full time Technical Coordinator. As of Jan. 10, Ashley Keepers has joined us as a coop student. We are in process of setting up a group insurance plan to cover Christian and any subsequent full time employees.
  8. Zoning - I met briefly with Rick Shaklik. The zoning amendment language is being circulated around City Hall (Bo Holland mentioned that he was looking at it). Rick hoped that we would see it by the end of the month.
  9. Recharge through sidewalks - I wrote to Para Jayasinghe about our recommendation to the City Council about recapturing stormwater through sidewalks. He has promised to study the issue and get back to us.
  10. Bidding for EPA funded wells - The draft RFP has been forwarded to EPA and, through them, to DEP for review. As soon as we get it back and make whatever changes are necessary, we will go out for bids.
  11. Strategic planning - It has been suggested that the Trust go through a strategic planning process to determine how our role will evolve as we complete the well installation process. Attached are some thoughts on how to address this. We may want to involve an academic to facilitate the process.
  12. Scoping sessions - Attended BRA scoping sessions on the Lovejoy Wharf and Nashua Street Residences projects. As a result of the meeting on the Nashua Street project, we will receive access to two existing wells, one at Causeway and Canal Streets and one on the old Boston Garden site, as well as results of a survey of wood piling supported buildings in the vicinity of the Fleet Center.
  13. Public meetings - Attended a public meeting on the Nashua Street Residences project. Will attend a public meeting Jan. 19 on the Penny Savings Bank project in the South End.
  14. Comment letters - Filed comments to MEPA on Nashua Street Residences and to the BRA on 700 Harrison Avenue. Copies are on the website. Comments are scheduled to be filed on the Brigham and Women's 70 Francis Street, Pier 4, Nashua Street Residences (BRA only), and Lovejoy Wharf projects.
  15. Website - We continue to get comments on the quality and usability of the website. This should be enhanced as we convert from spreadsheet to database for our well information. Latest website usage information is attached.
  16. Tax Status - We received our tax id numbers from the IRS and the State. With the IRS letter was a request for tax filings going back to 1986. The City Law Department is preparing a response for the IRS. According to Bob Fleming, no filings were made based on the City's interpretation of IRS requirements.