Reports: Executive Director’s Reports

June 16, 2005

  1. Technical Advisory Committee - Don Goldberg has asked to step back from his active involvement in the committee. He has promised to remain available to offer us his wise counsel on big picture items. I hope to have a replacement committee member on board shortly.
  2. Budget Support - The Mayor increased the City’s support of the Trust to its highest level ever. Using administrative funding included as part of our construction contracts, we’re able to fully fund the Trust’s operations for the next fiscal year.
  3. 105 Well Contract - We completed installation of the wells on this contract, partially completed before construction was suspended last November. We have yet to receive final invoices, but it appears that the contract will be completed under budget.
  4. 114 Well Contract - Vacuum truck work prior to initial drilling began this week, with drilling to follow next week. We have received reimbursement from US EPA for our upfront costs. Payment was processed through both the State and Federal governments and entered electronically into our checking account in just over three weeks.
  5. 180 Well Contract - This contract, the final one under our Environmental Bond Bill funding, is out for bid, with bids due on June 20. We expect work on this contract to begin around the middle of August, depending on progress on the 114 well contract.
  6. Beacon Street - We were informed of a new case of underpinning at the Mass. College of Optometry at 416-430 Beacon St. Pilings in this multiple building property have been cut off at four different heights, with the higher cut off pilings failing. Also on Beacon, the well at the corner of Dartmouth where BWSC repaired their manhole showed a reading that was up about two feet from the prior reading before the repair. Farther down on Beacon St, the well in front of 166 shows an even lower reading than before. This well and others nearby showed day to day fluctuations (sometimes within a few hours) of over a foot.
  7. Website Database Upgrade - We have received a revised quotation to modify our website to directly use the database that has been constructed by Christian and his coops. This will allow a user to get data on a well by clicking on it directly on the map, without the need to write the well number and switch screens. We will move our disclaimer to before the map screen. Overall, the well data on the site will be much easier to use. Ultimately, we’ll be able to directly upload well readings into the system, speeding the availability of the latest data and eliminating the transcription errors that can sometimes occur with our current system.
  8. Strategic Planning - Peter Sherin and I met with Rob Anthony, a strategic planning consultant, about convening a process of looking at how the Trust should operate after we have largely completed our well installation process. He will have a proposal to me by the end of the week. The process will include a guided retreat where the trustees, staff, and possibly a few other invited guests will sit down for probably half a day to discuss what role we see the Trust fulfilling post construction and how we should be structured to best fulfill that role.
  9. The Newb’ry - We will install the two wells to be funded by the project in the old New England Life building early in the 114 well contract. We’ll be reimbursed after installation.
  10. Copley Station - I wrote to the MBTA to advise them that we had not been contacted by their team prior to their advertising for bids. In their Environmental Assessment filing with the Federal Transit Administration which was ruled adequate as the final environmental work prior to construction at the station, the T said that it was going to consult with the Trust on coordination issues related to groundwater during the final design stage. No such consultation took place. I have not heard back from the T.
  11. The Clarendon - I filed comments on the DEIR/DPIR on this project. The groundwater/geotechnical section is the most thorough that I’ve reviewed since I joined the Trust. The project, located on the parking lot and post office site at Clarendon and Stuart Streets, promises to help us understand what is causing the severe groundwater depression in the area and to recharge water to help solve the problem. As always, the comments can be found on our website.
  12. Silver Line Phase III - I have read the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement recently issued by the MBTA. At least two of the potential portal locations studied, those at Columbus Avenue and at Charles Street, have significant potential to exacerbate groundwater problems. The groundwater threat from the Columbus Avenue portal, which would be located between Arlington and Berkeley Streets in the heart of one of the biggest groundwater depressions in the City, is of particular concern. I expect to speak at the June 30 public comment session.
  13. Ward 5 Republican Committee - As part of my effort to reach out to groups in the affected area that might have an interest in the groundwater issue, I spoke on Tuesday to the Ward 5 Republican Committee. We had a good opportunity to share thoughts, and I thought they had good questions about the problem and how one might attempt solutions.
  14. Website - While down from the peaks of April (Groundwater Educational Forum) and May (Channel 7 story), traffic to the site remains high, exceeding all other prior months. We have posted our policies, a new link to a good article on pervious pavements, and my executive director’s reports.