Epsilon Associates, Inc. is an environmental engineering and consulting company providing environmental management and permitting services to real estate, energy, industrial, and public sector clients. Epsilon's reputation for practical strategies, a focused work effort, and successful project outcome has made us an industry leader.
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 Project Spotlights Pocasset Mill Conversion
In September 2013, the Pocasset Mill project was among the award winners honored at the 2013 Preservation Celebration in Westerly, Rhode Island. Chosen by Preserve Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, the Rhody Awards honor individuals, organizations, and projects for their contributions to the preservation of Rhode Island's historic places.
The Pocasset Mill was one of six projects that received a Historic Preservation Project Award. Epsilon supported the Brady Sullivan Properties and Starr Development Partners LLC team with the conversion of the historic Johnston mill into 92 market-rate apartments. Epsilon Senior Consultant Taya Dixon directed project development to meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, allowing the client to secure state and federal historic tax credits.
Update: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Resort Casino
November 15th was an important day for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in their effort to construct a proposed destination resort casino in Taunton, Massachusetts. On that day, Governor Patrick signed a new compact with the Tribe, spelling out a variety of terms including the financial benefits Massachusetts would receive from operation of the casino under various scenarios. The very same day, the project's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), prepared by Epsilon, was noticed in the Federal Register, initiating a 45-day public comment period. Public hearings on the EIS were held on December 2 and 3. Completion of the EIS process is a critical element of the Tribe's overall effort to have land placed in trust by the Secretary of the Interior.
BRA Approved Projects
Since our last newsletter, the following Epsilon projects have been approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA):
- Boston Children's Hospital IMP Amendment, which includes:
- Boston Children's Clinical Building
- 819 Beacon Street
- Patient and Family Parking Garage Addition
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center IMP Amendment.
- Belvidere/Dalton - A 250-room hotel and 425 residential units in two towers in the Back Bay.
- Bartlett Place - Approximately 233,000 square feet of mixed-use residential, office, retail in Roxbury.
- 80 East Berkeley - An 11-story office building with ground floor retail and parking spaces.
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Conferences and Events
On October 30, Senior Consultant Rich Lampeter led the panel discussion during the Massachusetts Wind Working Group meeting at the IBEW Local 103 in Dorchester. The discussion focused on shadow flicker and Rich provided his expertise on evaluating shadow flicker in the current regulatory environment. His presentation is now available on the Massachusetts Wind Working Group's website.
In November, Managing Principal Peggy Briggs co-chaired Law Seminars International's MEPA and Environmental Permitting seminar, providing valuable insights during the "Case Study of a Policy Initiative and the Results: Casino Permitting in Massachusetts" session. The seminar provided an update on how the various casino projects have dealt with the local and state permitting processes, as well as provided insight into policy initiatives and practical strategies to most efficiently permit projects in Massachusetts.
We are looking forward to participating in a number of upcoming events in the New Year, including the Energy Utility Environment Conference (EUEC) 2014 and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions Annual Environmental Conference. Click here to learn more about upcoming events.
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Staff Updates
Organizational Involvement
Epsilon employees have been busy! As known experts in their fields, many were asked to serve on committees, including:
- The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) invited Managing Principal Peggy Briggs to serve on the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Adaptation Advisory Committee. The committee will advise the EEA on how to address the potential impacts of climate change during the MEPA review process.
- In November, Principal Dale Raczynski was re-elected to the Northeast Energy and Commerce Association (NECA) Board of Directors for 2014. He expects to continue his role as Treasurer of NECA in 2014. Associate Steve Slocomb, also active in NECA, is continuing his 2-year term as Tri-Chair of the Environmental Committee.
- In November, during the Association of Massachusetts Wetland Scientists (AMWS) Annual Meeting, Principal Mike Howard was elected to serve on the Board of Directors as Vice President. He was recently serving as the Treasurer, and is looking forward to his new role. The AMWS is comprised of wetland scientists, soil evaluators, engineers, conservation commission agents, state and federal regulatory officials and other environmental professionals. Through standing and ad hoc committees, board meetings and interaction with state and federal regulators, members have the opportunity to provide scientific expertise that can help shape state and federal wetland policies and regulations.
- During the Fall Meeting of the New York Construction Materials Association (NYMaterials) in Albany, New York, Principal Rob O'Neal was elected to the Board of Directors. This is a 2-year term set to begin January 2014. NYMaterials is a trade association representing the business and regulatory interests of member companies, including producers of hot mix asphalt, ready mixed concrete, and construction aggregate. Read more here.
- Epsilon Senior Consultant Bob Hellweg recently chaired two meetings at INTER-NOISE 2013, the 42nd International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, which took place in September in Innsbruck, Austria. Bob is an internationally recognized expert in noise control technology and travels frequently for meetings and conferences. Read more here.
New Employees
Epsilon was pleased to welcome David Klinch to our energy and utility permitting practice in September. He is a highly regarded regulatory specialist and project manager with more than 20 years of consulting experience (read the official press release here). Minna Pyyhkala also joined Epsilon in September. After providing exceptional support to our administrative and production team for several months, we are excited that she has now officially joined our team.
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In Other Employee News...
Congratulations to Associate Steve Slocomb for his participation in the 25th Annual Jimmy Fund Walk! Steve walked the entire 26.2-mile Boston Marathon route in support of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's mission to conquer cancer, for which he raised nearly $2,000. Steve would like to thank all his colleagues and clients that supported him on this fund raising drive.
Managing Principal Peggy Briggs recently had solar panels installed on the roof of her home as part of the Concord Solar Challenge. The program is designed to encourage the adoption of home solar power by deploying a coordinated community outreach effort, combined with a tiered pricing structure. She said, "It's great to see the electric meter running backwards, providing solar energy to the grid and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
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