News & Notes

A publication of the MWRA Advisory Board

September 2015

Lou Taverna Elected Chairman

of the MWRA Advisory Board

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Advisory Board Officers Elected

Louis M. Taverna was unanimously elected Chairman of the MWRA Advisory Board at the September Advisory Board meeting.

Lou has represented the City of Newton on the Advisory Board since 2002.

Prior to becoming Chairman, Lou served as the Operations Chair for the Advisory Board and as Secretary on the Executive Committee.

Elected to replace Lou as Operations Chair is John G. Sanchez, Director of Public Works of Burlington.

We wish the entire FY16 Executive Committee well.

Thank You for Your Leadership

At its September meeting, the Advisory Board recognized Katherine Dunphy's contributions as Chairman of the Advisory Board from 2001 to 2015. (Katherine decided not to run for another term as Chair but will remain on the Executive Committee representing Milton.)

Lou Taverna, incoming Chairman, thanked Katherine for her leadership and noted that she will continue to represent the Advisory Board on the Water Supply Protection Trust. Executive Director Joe Favaloro stated, "Under Katherine's leadership, the Advisory Board has been able to make a difference. Katherine has had a hand in all Advisory Board directives over the years."

The Advisory Board presented a glass "water drop" to Katherine to recognize her efforts.

MWRA Exec. Director Fred Laskey, Vice-Chair of Finance Bernie Cooper, incoming Chairman Lou Taverna, outgoing Chairman Katherine Dunphy, MWRA AB Exec. Director Joe Favaloro, MWRA Board Members John Carroll, Andy Pappastergion and Joe Foti and Executive Committee Member John DeAmicis at the Sept. AB Meeting.

Molybdenum Limits to be Reviewed by DEP

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has made preliminary recommendations as to which regulations should be retained, rescinded or revised in accordance with Governor Charles Baker's Executive Order 562 (EO562).

Included in DEP's workplan is the update of molybdenum limits. The Advisory Board has been actively working to raise the Massachusetts' molybdenum levels of 25 mg/Kg, which is one of the lowest in the nation, and is three times lower than the Environmental Protection Agency's limit.

Tweaking the allowable limits upward would allow MWRA sludge pellets to be beneficially reused during twelve months of the year.

DEP will be holding a listening session on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at DEP's Boston headquarters, Conference Rooms A, B and C to allow stakeholders and the public at large the opportunity to hear about DEP's process and offer feedback on regulations that could be revised in accordance with EO562.

Growing Advisory Board Video Library

The Advisory Board has created a growing video library. Along with "Green Sheet" videos, which provide financial updates, the Advisory Board also has "Just the FAQs" (Frequently Asked Questions) videos, which will break down complex topics with straightforward and simple explanations. Stay tuned for our next "Just the FAQs," which identifies several potential sources for cities and towns to fund local water and sewer projects. The "Green Sheet" videos can be found here. "Just the FAQs" videos can be found here.

On a related note, the "voice" of our videos and staffer Travis Ahern is, unfortunately, leaving us.

Travis, who joined the Advisory Board in January 2014, has accepted the newly created Finance Director position for the Town of Danvers. Travis's contributions and accomplishments during his time here helped to take the Advisory Board's work to the next level, and we have no doubt he'll do very well in Danvers. He will be missed.

Memorial Bench Dedication

On September 18, MWRA staff gathered at a site along the Deer Island perimeter walkway, close to where Bella Bond was found, to dedicate a memorial bench.

Thanks to the generous donations of MWRA employees, the memorial includes a marker, a statue of a fawn, a bench and a flowering cherry tree.

Marker for Baby Bella.

Memorial bench and marker for Baby Bella.

Upcoming Events

Listening Session on EO562

MassDEP

1 Winter Street

Boston

October 1 from

4 to 6 p.m.

Executive Committee Meeting

Charlestown

October 9, 2015

CANCELLED

MWRA Board of Directors Meeting - Charlestown

October 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

MuniWorks Workshop on Economic Development

October 15, 2015

TO BE RESCHEDULED

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