OFFICIALS
DECLARE BIG VICTORY
REGARDING SLUDGE PLANT
Officials from Charlestown, Everett and Somerville are declaring
a big victory today with regards to the proposal to move a
sludge plant from Dorchester to Charlestown. The Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) has agreed to extend the
public comment until February 26th, allowing the residents of
those neighboring communities to voice their opinions on the
project.
A few weeks ago, the City of Everett filed a “Third Party Notice
of Project Change” to the Executive Office of Environmental
Affairs. Yesterday, EOEA decided to publish the “Third Party
Notice of Project Change” in the Environmental Monitor which is
a publication by the Mass. EOEA. This is big news as it turns
out that EOEA rarely entertains and publishes third party
notices of project change.
“Allowing residents to voice their opinion, not only allows for
the public process to work in communities that are burdened by
disproportionate impacts from this project and others, but also
serves to advance the protection of the residents’ quality of
life and the environment,” stated State Senator Jarrett Barrios.
“We asked for the public to be given an opportunity to be heard
and that is being granted. It’s now up to us to demonstrate our
concerns on environmental issues, traffic volume and other
potential issues that are unforeseen at this point” stated State
Representative Eugene O’Flaherty.
"This is great news for the City of Everett and I would like to
thank all the residents who made the effort to attend the many
meetings , with particular thanks to Chris Keohane , Officer
Johnston , Senator Barrios and his staff, and Mayor Hanlon and
his staff,” added State Representative Stat Smith.
Mayor John F. Hanlon of Everett added, "We have been exceedingly
diligent on the administrative end of this process and I'm
personally delighted at the results". It's been enormously
gratifying to work along with Senator Barrios, Representative
Smith, fellow Mayor Joseph Curtatone of Somerville and other
officials on this most important issue. Although this is a huge
step, we must now pull together to adequately appeal to the
Commonwealth on behalf of the people we represent to assure
their voices are heard."
After the comment period closes February 26th, Secretary Ian
Bowles of EOEA will then issue a written decision whether the
Boston Water and Sewer Commission will have to file an ENF,
Environmental Notification Form, which would provide the
communities of Charlestown, Somerville and Everett further
information and additional public input regarding the project.
last updated
16-Feb-2007 01:14 PM
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