Reports: Executive Director’s Reports

February 12, 2010

  1. City-State Groundwater Working Group - The Group met on January 28. As always, participation and cooperation were excellent. Details of reporting from Group members are below.
  2. MBTA - The T reported that the low groundwater levels observed in the well in front of the Boston Public Library are caused by dewatering related to the installation of an elevator for handicapped access to the Copley Station. Measurements taken subsequent to the Working Group meeting indicate that the groundwater levels in the well remain very low. The T also reported that the second recharge well on Cazenove Street is operational. Unfortunately, our most recent readings, taken this week, indicate that groundwater levels on Cazenove Street remain below what is required to protect pilings.
  3. BWSC - BWSC discovered a significant leak in a line on Richmond Street between Commercial Street and Atlantic Avenue in the North End that is a likely cause of low groundwater levels in the area and will begin repairs this month. They also discovered leaks in the Combined Sewer Overflow pipe in Dartmouth Street that may be the cause of low levels in that part of the Back Bay. BWSC will inspect the CSO pipes in Berkeley and Fairfield Streets for similar damage and then schedule repairs. Work continues on the sewer repair/recharge systems in Back Bay alleys. They will be lining sewer pipes in the Bulfinch Triangle area in the spring.
  4. MWRA - MWRA is nearing completion of its major sewer replacement project in East Boston. The sewer pipe under Porter Street that is in the area where extremely low groundwater readings occur consistently will be discontinued and filled in by the end of the summer.
  5. MassDOT - They are continuing with design work for modifications to the drainage system from the Central Artery. The decision on whether and where to introduce recharge awaits completion of some of BWSC’s repair projects and a determination of whether the recharge would be a benefit in the areas into which it can be introduced. Decisions should be made in the summer.
  6. GCOD - GCOD compliance continues to be excellent. The Board of Appeals has ruled on over 160 applications, with only two not being able to completely comply with recharge requirements. Over 80 recharge systems are installed and operating.
  7. Research Projects - Professor Vogel reports some significant progress on the project to determine the benefit of recharge in the GCOD area. Our Technical Advisory Committee will meet with him in March to discuss progress to date and what they expect to accomplish as the project goes forward.
  8. Website - Traffic to the website continues high. All minutes of trustees’ meetings since I joined the Trust in August 2004 are now posted. We are also posting the agenda of the upcoming trustees’ meeting about a week in advance.
  9. Meetings - I attended a BRA scoping session on the proposed hotel project at 275 Albany Street in the South End. I’m scheduled to meet with the Union Park Neighborhood Association in March to discuss groundwater issues.
  10. Comment Letters - I commented to both the BRA and MEPA on the PNF/ENF for the 275 Albany Street project in the South End. The comments are posted on our website.
  11. Vacations - I will be out of the office February 15-19. I will periodically check voicemail and email during that period.