City Council
| Nov. 3, 2004
| Gary Saunders, Tim Mitchell and I met with City Councilors Ross, Kelly, and McDermott, as well as staff members for several other council members, to update them on the work of the Trust. We had a very positive interchange and began discussion on our budget requirements going forward. Councilor Kelly was particularly supportive about the importance of our work. |
| August 23, 2005
| There will be a hearing of the Council’s Committee on Environment and Historic Preservation, chaired by Councilor Kelly, on groundwater issues. The hearing will take place in the Rabb Lecture Hall at the Boston Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 5:15. it is in response to two orders on the topic, one filed by Councilors Kelly, Ross, and McDermott for a discussion of many issues surrounding the general topic, and one filed by Councilor Murphy that is focused on establishing an organizational structure to deal with groundwater. |
| October 11, 2005
| There was a City Council hearing on groundwater issues held on September 6 at the BPL. Over 250 people attended on the day after Labor Day, another sign of the high current interest in the issue. All of the At Large Councilors attended, as did Councilors Kelly (who chaired) and Ross. I was asked to be the first speaker after the elected officials. |
| April 27, 2006
| The City Council has scheduled a hearing on groundwater issues for 6:00 PM on May 18 at the Council Chambers. This is a follow up to last fall’s hearing at the BPL and responds to the request from Citywide GET that the Council hold hearings every six months to keep track of the efforts around the groundwater issue. |
| June 5, 2006
| The City Council held a hearing on progress on groundwater related issues on May 18. My testimony is posted on our website. The hearing, held in the evening, was well attended. Councilors Kelly (who we were all pleased to see back chairing the committee), Feeney, and Murphy stayed for the entire hearing, while Councilor Ross also attended prior to another community meeting that was taking place at the same time. In addition to Jim Hunt and Andrew Gottlieb, testimony was given by Rep. Walz, as well as by representatives of the Trust, BWSC, MWRA, MBTA, MTA, and Citywide GET, followed by members of the public. The tone was generally optimistic about progress that is being made. The biggest complaints were about neighborhoods not yet included in the GCOD and about implementation of the new zoning. The Council will probably continue these hearings on a semiannual basis. |
| September 20, 2006
| I briefed, separately, the two newest Councilors, Sam Yoon and Salvatore LaMattina, on the groundwater issue. Both were very interested and have expressed a desire to learn more. |
| January 18, 2007
| The City Council held an oversight hearing on the groundwater issue in December. I served as part of the panel to both brief councilors and to answer questions. The hearing, chaired by Councilor Feeney, went very well. |
| April 23, 2007
| The City Council will hold an oversight hearing on groundwater on May 8 at 3:00. I have been invited to testify. |
| May 14, 2007
| The City Council held an oversight hearing on the groundwater issue on May 8. My prepared testimony is on our website. Also testifying were Jim Hunt, John Sullivan, Scott Darling of the MBTA, Gordon Richardson of Citywide GET, and several individuals from the South End. The tenor of the meeting was generally positive, although with a request that I once again provide a map with my newsletter. There was also some request for an overall plan to comprehensively attack the issue. I also met with Councilor Arroyo on May 3 to update him on the groundwater issue. |
| September 27, 2007
| I met with Councilor Linehan, who now represents District 2 and chairs the committee responsible for groundwater related issues. He was very supportive of the work of the Trust. I expect that we will enjoy a good relationship with him, as we did with his predecessor, Councilor Kelly. |
| February 27, 2008
| I met with new at-large Councilor John Connolly to brief him on groundwater issues. He promises to be supportive in any way that he can. |
|
