October 31st Information & Resource Update | |
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In this issue...
- EPA Releases Draft Permit for Charles, Mystic, and Neponset River Watershed Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Properties
- ADU Informational Website and Webinar for Municipal Staff Announced
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Next Week: Transportation Committee Meeting, Update on 495/90 Interchange Project
- Save the Date: 495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference
- Energy and Sustainable Development Committee Meeting December 5th
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EPA Releases Draft Permit for Charles, Mystic, and Neponset River Watershed Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Properties
EPA Region 1 announced in 2022 that they will exercise their residual designation authority under the Clean Water Act in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset river watersheds. Certain commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with one or more acres of impervious area will be required to obtain coverage under an EPA Clean Water Act permit. EPA has now published the draft NPDES General Permit for Private Commercial Industrial, and Institutional Stormwater Discharges in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset River Watersheds in Massachusetts ("Draft CII GP").
Click here to access the draft permit.
EPA is hosting two informational public meetings and two public hearings on this topic in early 2025. The schedule for these events and registration links are below.
Public meetings:
Public hearings:
The public comment period for the draft permit begins today and will remain open until January 29th, 2025. Interested parties can submit comments on the Preliminary Designation and the Draft Permit at this link. All comments must be received by January 29, 2025.
495/MetroWest Partnership communities that are fully or partially located within the Charles River watershed are Ashland, Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Norfolk, Sherborn, Wayland, and Wrentham. Portions of Foxborough and Medfield are located in the Neponset River watershed.
Additional information:
Questions may be directed to Laura Schifman of EPA Region 1 by phone at (617) 918-1015 or via email at R1.RDA@epa.gov.
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ADU Informational Website and
Webinar for Municipal Staff Announced
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) has launched a new webpage dedicated to providing information on Accessory Dwelling Units, a central piece of the recently-signed Affordable Homes Act. The new ADU webpage includes information on what communities can and can not do when it comes to managing the development of ADUs. Click here to access the new ADU webpage.
Separately, EOHLC created a webpage for ADU Frequently Asked Questions. The webpage will be updated as new questions arise. Click here to access the FAQ webpage.
EOHLC, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association will host a webinar for municipal officials and interested stakeholders that will include an overview of the new ADU law on Monday, November 4th at 10:00 AM; click here to register. EOHLC will provide an update on frequently asked questions and offer an opportunity to ask questions, which will inform future guidance. Finally, the webinar will provide an overview of EOHLC’s next steps. Please note that this webinar is not intended for property owners who want to understand how they might finance and construct ADUs; there will be other opportunities aimed at property owners in the future.
Finally, EOHLC has updated their sign-up form to allow interested stakeholders to make suggestions and provide feedback on the implementation of Affordable Homes Act policies.
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Save the Date:
495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference
On December 12th, 2024, the 495/MetroWest Partnership will hold its Annual Conference. This year’s policy theme will be The Future of Housing in 495/MetroWest. Leaders in business, government, higher education, development, and environmental protection from across the region will gather at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to celebrate our progress in advancing the interests of 495/MetroWest, and to discuss the unique challenges the housing crunch presents to our regional economy and how the Partnership will be a part of the solution.
495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference
The Future of Housing in 495/MetroWest
Thursday, December 12th, 2024 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
at Gillette Stadium
This is a ticketed event; a complete invitation, with access to ticket sales, will be distributed via email and made available on the Partnership's website in early November. Sponsorship opportunities for the conference are now available; click here to learn more.
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Energy and Sustainable Development Committee
Meeting December 5th
The Energy and Sustainable Development Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership will host a virtual meeting on Thursday, December 5th at 8:30 AM. The meeting's agenda will include a presentation from Representative Jeffrey Roy on pending climate and energy legislation. Representative Roy serves as the Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. The Committee will also host representatives from MassDEP’s Environmental Justice program to provide an overview of their work. This meeting is open to all interested 495/MetroWest stakeholders; click here to register.
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As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if the 495/MetroWest Partnership can be of any assistance to you:
Jason Palitsch, Executive Director
(774) 760-0495
Jason@495Partnership.org
Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening our region.
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