Documents: Minutes

 

BOSTON GROUNDWATER TRUST (BGwT)

BOARD MEETING

September 27, 2004

The Lenox Hotel — Copley Room

 

The meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Boston Groundwater Trust was called order at 4:10pm in the Copley Room at The Lenox Hotel. The meeting notice was posted at City Hall in accordance with provision of the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law.

Trustees in attendance, comprising a quorum, were:

Mr. Gary L. Saunders, Boston Back Bay Association

Mr. Tim Mitchell, Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay

Mr. Peter Sherin, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Paul Chan, Greater Boston Real Estate Board

Mr. Galen Gilbert, Fenway Community Development Corp.

Mr. James Stetson, Beacon Hill Civic Association

Also present were:

Elliott Laffer, BGwT Executive Director; Christian Simonelli, BGwT Technical Coordinator; Jim Lambrechts, BGwT Technical Committee; Donald Goldberg, BGwT Technical Committee

 

  1. Ratification of the minutes of the August 23, 2004 Meeting

    2. Copies of the minutes of the August 23, 2004 meeting were distributed. A motion was made by Trustee Mitchell and seconded by Trustee Sherin to accept the minutes with addition of the following: The meeting notice was posted at City Hall in accordance with provision of the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law.

    VOTED: To accept the minutes of the August 23, 2004, trustees’ meeting, as amended.

     

  2. Finance Report

    3. Trustee Sherin reviewed the Trust’s current finances. He also reviewed ongoing operational expenses, and well monitoring expenses.

    Trustee Sherin noted that the BGwT has received the second portion of the EBB funds in the amount of $500,000 for fiscal 05. Trustee Sherin also noted that the Trust year in report must be filed with the city by November 1, 2004. Trustee Sherin will work with Elliott Laffer to generate the report.

     

  3. Executive Director’s Report

    BGwT Executive Director Elliott Laffer reported on his activities of the past month.

    Mr. Laffer reported on the following:

    • The Trust has office space located at 234 Clarendon St. as of October 1, 2004. The space is shared with the Back Bay Association (BBA), which is the primary tenant. A one year agreement has been reached and can be terminated by either party upon 30 days notice. The rent is $550/month. The $500 represents $500 base rent and $50 for high speed internet access.
    • Forsyth Institute will install observation wells as part of their new project. The O.W.’s will be accessible to the Trust.
    • Meeting with Maura Zlody, environmental assistant for the environment department about working together proactively to have new projects make up for groundwater lost by any new impervious surfaces.
    • Meeting with John Sullivan and Henry Luthin of the BWSC about using BGwT data to draw contour maps. BWSC will provide the Trust with these contour maps. The maps will be provided to the Trust as long as they are not shared with any other entity.
    • Publicity of the past month.
    • Trustee’s Saunders and Mitchell along with Mr. Laffer will meet informally with members of the city council before the council meeting on October 27, 2004.
    • Meeting with the EOEA, DEP, and DCR.
    • Mr. Laffer, Mr. Simonelli, and Trustee Gilbert each have their own e-mail addresses set up (@bgwt.org).

Trustee Gilbert motioned to authorize Mr. Laffer to move forward with obtaining office space with BBA at 234 Clarendon St. provided costs remained under $1,000/month. Trustee Mitchell moved to accept the motion and was seconded by Trustee Chan.

VOTED: To accept the motion proposed by Trustee Gilbert.

 

  1. Technical Coordinator’s Report

    2. Groundwater Monitoring: Christian Simonelli noted that the most recent set of readings were taken from September 13-24, 2004. Of the 405 wells in the network: 167 were between 5’-7’, 152 below 5’, 59 above 7’, and 27 were not read due to inaccessibility. The latest readings, locations and revised well location map will be uploaded and posted on the website by the end of the week (9/30/04).

    Mr. Simonelli also noted that the following three O.W.’s have been destroyed: 24J-1979, 23J-1751A, and 23J-2291. Mr. Simonelli also noted that the Trust will be reimbursed for the O.W. 24J-1979 by the contractor who destroyed it.

    Well Installation Update: Mr. Simonelli noted that he has received parking signs for the first group of out of the next 105 O.W.’s to be installed. He noted that he should receive the PIC’s for those 20 by the end of the week (9/30/04).

     

  2. Setup of Payroll for BGwT Staff

    3. Trustee Saunders discussed using the city of Boston tax id number. Mr. Laffer commented on his conversations with the city’s law department regarding this matter.

    Trustee Saunders noted that he, along with Trustee Mitchell approved a loan/advanced pay for services rendered to Mr. Laffer.

    Trustee Saunders suggested to ratify the arrangement between Mr. Laffer and the Trust.

    Trustee Gilbert motioned to fund a pay for services rendered to Mr. Laffer. Trustee Chan seconded the motion.

    VOTED: To accept the motion proposed by Trustee Gilbert.

    Trustee Chan motioned to establish a subsidiary to process payroll. Trustee Gilbert seconded the motion.

    VOTED: To accept the motion proposed by Trustee Chan.

     

  3. Bylaws

    4. Trustee Saunders suggested that the Trust look at its bylaws. Trustee Gilbert agreed to distribute the original bylaws and the revised bylaws to Mr. Laffer, who will then distribute to the non-ex-officio trustees.

     

  4. Glacial Till Aquifer

    5. Trustee Gilbert discussed the glacial till aquifer and its relation to the Central Artery Tunnel (CA/T) project. Trustee Gilbert expressed that the Trust should take on a more active role in monitoring this aquifer. It was suggested by Trustee Mitchell and Trustee Saunders that further information is obtained about this aquifer before any monitoring takes place.

    Trustee Gilbert motioned to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Saunders seconded the motion.

    VOTED: To accept the motion proposed by Trustee Gilbert.

     

The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

NEXT MEETING: October 27, 2004 @ 4p.m. — The Lenox Hotel

Submitted by Christian Simonelli, BGwT Technical Coordinator, on 9/30/04