In this issue....

• NEXT WEEK: I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvement Project Briefing

• NEXT WEEK: Presentation and Q&A Regarding EPA Residual Designation Authority in the Charles River Watershed 

• MassEcon Accepting Properties for ReadyMass 100

• DOER Releases Final Stretch Energy Code Regulations

• Foxborough, Plainville, & Wrentham Launch Joint Marketing Initiative

• 495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference November 17th

NEXT WEEK: I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvement Project Briefing

On Thursday, November 3rd at 8:30 AM, the Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership will host representatives from MassDOT to provide a briefing on the I-495/I-90 interchange improvement project, which is slated to begin construction activties in the coming weeks. 

On an average day, about 75,000 vehicles use the interchange itself. In the immediate area, I-90 carries around 100,000 vehicles and I-495 carries around 110,000 daily. The interchange is a high-crash location, and needed improvements have been a goal of the 495/MetroWest Partnership for years. The interchange is important both to commuters and to freight; nearly half of the trucks entering eastern Massachusetts use this interchange. The completed project is expected to substantially benefit the distribution of goods and services throughout the state.

Early construction activities are slated to begin within the coming weeks. The presentation will provide an overview of the project, as well as the timeline for project work. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the project team. This is an in-person event being hosted in Westborough, Massachusetts; advance registration is required. Click here to register for this event. Location information will be provided upon registration.

NEXT WEEK: EPA Residual Designation Authority in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset River Watersheds Presentation and Q&A

EPA Region 1 has announced 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. Once permits are issued, property owners will be required to take steps to reduce pollutants in stormwater. EPA anticipates issuing one or more general permits specifying the activities that property owners must implement to reduce stormwater pollution from their properties. Before these requirements are finalized, EPA will conduct a public process, including publication of a draft permit and an opportunity to comment. Privately owned commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with 1-acre or greater impervious cover will need to seek coverage under one of these permits (or an individual permit if they prefer) and take the actions spelled out in the permits.

The 495/MetroWest Partnership's Water Resources Committee will host EPA Region 1 staff for an informational presentation on this matter on Tuesday, November 1st at 8:30 AM. This event will take place virtually via Zoom; advance registration is required. Click here to register.

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.

MassEcon Accepting Applications for ReadyMass100 Listing

MassEcon is currently accepting properties for their ReadyMass 100 listing, a web-based marketing tool promoting commercial real estate assets in Massachusetts. Due to strong market conditions in recent years, the portfolio is well below 100 properties. MassEcon's intention is to have the ReadyMass 100 fully stocked, with the best 100 land sites and Class A and B buildings available in the state, to launch a Massachusetts marketing campaign to site selectors and corporate real estate directors across the nation and around the world. The current ReadyMass portfolio can be viewed here. To apply, first review the minimum criteria for listing your land or building here and complete the appropriate electronic application:

• ReadyMass LAND Application
• ReadyMass BUILDING Application

The application deadline is November 7th. Questions may be directed to Doug Kehlhem at dkehlhem@massecon.com or 508-736-1513.

DOER Releases Final Stretch Energy Code Regulations

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released final code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code in late September. The proposed regulations, 225 CMR 22.00 and 225 CMR 23.00, cover Residential Low-Rise Construction and Commercial and Other Construction (including most multi-family) respectively.

DOER issued a summary document along with redlined versions of the Residential Low-Rise and Commercial and Other Construction code language, which illustrate changes made from the draft regulations published in June. These changes were made based on public stakeholder input and through extensive work on technical code review by the Stretch Energy Code Technical Advisory Committee (SE-TAC) convened by DOER.

DOER’s final regulations have been submitted to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy in accordance with M.G.L. c.25A §12. Following the completion of the TUE Committee review, these regulations will be filed with the Secretary of State in December 2022 for final promulgation.

Foxborough, Plainville, & Wrentham Launch Joint Marketing Initiative

The Towns of Foxborough, Plainville & Wrentham are working collectively to promote the region to visitors, and have launched a new destination brand and website to assist travelers planning trips to the area. Grants provided by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism supported the project. 

In addition to the major destinations located within each Town (Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, Wrentham Village Premium Outlet Mall in Wrentham, and Patriot Place/Gillette Stadium in Foxboro), travelers to the region also find an abundance of outdoor activities, as well as dining and retail options. The new marketing campaign will showcase all that this area has to offer including the well-known and hidden gems in each community.

The Tagline; “Stay a little longer, play a little more!” encompasses the key goals. It inspires visitors to become guests, to explore beyond a single point of entry, and to discover all that our towns have to offer,” said Paige Duncan, Director of Land Use and Economic Development, Town of Foxborough. “Visitors to Foxborough may be attracted to the town by Patriots history and lore, then find themselves going out for dinner at one of the many restaurants in town. Visitors who come for the Wrentham Outlets will be pleasantly surprised to see the great natural beauty of the town at locations like Lake Pearl. Those who come to Plainville for the Plainridge Park Casino will be excited to see that there are plenty of family-friendly locations to go to with their younger family members during the day, like the An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Café. Our campaign will encourage those who come to one of these towns to go visit all three.”

“Our visitors and community members tell us again and again that there is so much to do in the area – from Big Apple Farm to F. Gilbert Hills State Forest to Hawkins Woods Disc Golf, it’s what sets us apart from other destinations. That’s what our new brand emphasizes in a fresh, modern way,” explained Rachel Benson, Director of Planning & Economic Development, Town of Wrentham. The new website, developed by Sperling Interactive, can be found at www.VisitFPW.com.

495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference 2022

Thursday, November 17th

On November 17th, 2022, you are invited to join state and regional leaders in business, government, higher education, development, and environmental protection from across the region as we gather to celebrate our progress in advancing 495/MetroWest as an advantageous location for businesses, people, and communities, and discuss challenges ahead.  

495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference

Thursday, November 17th, 2022

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM; Doors Open at 7:30

DoubleTree by Hilton, 5400 Computer Drive, Westborough MA 01581

Thank You to Our Presenting Sponsors: