In this issue....

• Major Economic Development Bill Signed Into Law

• EPA Funding Available for Recycling and Composting

• Transportation Committee to Host MPOs on Long Range Transportation Plans

• Recap: I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvement Briefing



• Job Posting: Town of Southborough Seeks DPW Superintendent

Major Economic Development Bill Signed Into Law

Earlier this month, Governor Baker signed into law An Act relating to economic growth and relief for the Commonwealth, colloquially referred to as the Economic Development Bill. The law authorizes $3.76 billion in spending on human services, business support programs, housing production, economic development, and investments in green space and environmental justice communities, among many other provisions. 

The legislation was reported from conference committee earlier this month, both reconciling significant differences between House and Senate versions of the bill and authorizing additional spending for MassHealth and ongoing MBTA safety improvement efforts. Conference legislation did not include significant authorizations for programs such as MassWorks and the Clean Water Trust Fund, appearing in both House and Senate bills. Conference legislation also eliminated further tax relief efforts in light of Chapter 62F, an infrequently invoked statute requiring taxpayer reimbursement when tax revenues exceed an annual cap tied to wage and salary growth. 

Conference legislation was acted upon quickly by both chambers, achieving unanimous passage. Governor Baker signed the bill into law, having vetoed only $1.1 million in funding authorizations. Most notably, Governor Baker vetoed an outside section related to capping ARPA spending at $510 million.

Notable funding authorizations include:

• $350 million in hospital relief efforts
• $304 million for housing production across the Commonwealth
• $200 million for COVID Response Reserve
• $153 million for Business Support
• $112 million for MBTA Transfer
• $100 million for Investments in Green Space and Infrastructure
• $86.57 million in Local Economic Development Projects
• $85.75 million in Local Community Development Projects
• $75 million for Environmental Justice Communities
• $57 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Local initiatives in the 495/MetroWest region receiving support through the legislation include:

Acton

• $200,000 to Boston Area Gleaners Incorporated for capital initiatives at Stonefield Farm located on Martin street in Acton
• $200,000 to Acton for improvements to the Nathaniel Allen Recreation Area, also known as NARA Park, located at Ledge Rock way

Ashland

• $8,000,000 for planning, design, acquisition, construction and any other costs associated with improvements to public safety, pedestrian access, utilities, federal Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and downtown revitalization in the area impacted by the at-grade commuter rail crossing near the MBTA Ashland commuter rail station

Bellingham

• $25,000 to Bellingham for the sensory playground installation at Stallbrook elementary school

Berlin

• $100,000 to Berlin for improvements to the rail trail

Bolton

• $400,000 to Bolton for the engineering and associated work to be done on Pond Park culvert on route 117

Foxborough

• $25,000 to Foxborough for the development of Booth playground on South street
• $50,000 to Foxborough for the development of Booth playground and a skatepark on South street
• $500,000 to Foxborough for the development of 200 affordable senior housing units at the intersection of Walnut street and Commercial street

Framingham 

• $100,000 for Daniel's Table, Inc. in Framingham
• $750,000 for the entity that assumes management of cancer services at MetroWest Medical Center, Inc.
• $2,500,000 to Framingham for a parking garage or other parking options to support access to the regional justice center and municipal and economic development needs of the city in area of the regional justice center; provided further, that expenses may include, but shall not be limited to, site acquisition, planning, design, study and construction costs

Franklin

• $50,000 to Franklin for a community wide branding and marketing study
• $170,000 to Franklin for a sidewalk development project on Washington street

Grafton

• $125,000 to Grafton for revitalization and economic improvements
• $100,000 to Grafton for the purchase of firefighter radio

Harvard

• $100,000 to Harvard to make renovations and repairs to the Bromfield House located on Massachusetts avenue

Holliston

• $400,000 to Holliston for improvements to the wastewater treatment facility in the town of Holliston including, but not limited to, upgrades to the supervisory control and data acquisition system

Hopedale

• $100,000 for improvements to the Hopedale pond dam

Hopkinton

• $65,000 to Hopkinton for community-based economic development efforts in the town of including, but not limited to, place-making projects, local farmers markets, community supported agriculture projects and identification of form-based code areas within the town

Hudson

• $388,000 to Hudson for the design and installation of heating pumps for the public library

Littleton

• $8,000,000 to Littleton to help with the Littleton common King street development

Maynard

• $400,000 to Maynard for permits, design and engineering of the Old Marlborough Road water treatment plant
• $300,000 to Open Table, Inc. to purchase and develop a food-safe warehouse in Maynard
• $200,000 to Maynard for the benefit of ArtSpace, Inc. to make renovations and repairs to the facility located on Summer street

Medfield

• $150,000 to Medfield for wayfinding and streetscape improvements
• $100,000 to Medfield to rebuild the Hinkley playground in compliance with current safety standards and ADA requirements
• $100,000 for the Cultural Alliance of Medfield, Inc for the remediation, design, construction and improvements to the Performing Arts and Education Center at the former Medfield State Hospital property
• $170,000 to Medfield for a downtown facade improvement program

Medway

• $275,000 to Medway for pedestrian connectivity and safety improvements for Milford street

Milford

• $150,000 to Milford for improvements to the Fino Field Athletic and Baseball Field Complex
• $200,000 to the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc. for road safety improvements and sewer upgrades in Milford

Millis

• $170,000 to Millis for the creation of a downtown business improvement district

Natick

• $150,000 for targeted economic development and planning work for the West Natick area around the West Natick commuter rail station to support area redevelopment
• $150,000 for the Natick Housing Authority for the development of a master plan for public housing in Natick
• $120,000 for clean-up of polychlorinated biphenyls from soils on Willow street near the Cochituate rail trail in the town of Natick
• $250,000 to Natick for design and community engagement for a project to improve Main Street in Natick including, but not limited to, access to the MBTA Natick Center commuter rail station
• $2,000,000 for Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick for a pilot program to improve practices in behavioral health care and to address behavioral health staffing shortages

Sherborn

• $100,000 to Sherborn for information technology infrastructure, including, but not limited to, record digitization, storage and electronic retrieval

Shrewsbury

• $125,000 to local economic recovery efforts in Shrewsbury
• $75,000 to Shrewsbury for building façade improvement grant program for small businesses and organizations in the town center district

Stow

• $500,000 to Stow for the Stow Acres innovation, conservation, recreation and development partnership

Sudbury

• $100,000 to Sudbury for outdoor basketball courts with fencing and lights

Upton

• $125,000 to Upton for revitalization and economic improvements

Wayland

• $100,000 for the Wayland Affordable Housing Trust in Wayland for the acquisition, creation, preservation and support of affordable housing

Westborough

• $75,000 to local economic recovery efforts in Westborough
• $90,000 to Westborough for the design, purchase and implementation of wayfinding signs and banners

Wrentham

• $25,000 to Wrentham for a study to evaluate simplifying town fees for business owners
• $75,000 to Wrentham for zoning recodification

EPA Funding Available for Recycling and Composting

$100 million in funding is available nationally to help build and transform solid waste infrastructure, manage materials to achieve a circular economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create cleaner, resilient, and healthier communities. EPA is releasing new funding opportunities under the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program and the Recycling Education and Outreach Grant program, both of which were funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Click here to register for webinars to learn more about the programs.

Political Subdivisions Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants ($30,000,000): For counties, cities, towns, parishes, and similar units of government to fund projects that improve materials management and infrastructure, including collection, transport, systems, and processes related to post-use materials that can be recovered, reused, recycled, repaired, refurbished, or composted. Applications for funding are due January 16th, 2023. 

Overview of request for application, eligible entities, evaluation criteria, application process, and answer questions (same presentations)  

• December 5th, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)  
• December 7th, 2022, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)  

Review procurement, subawards, and answer questions (same presentations)  

• December 13th, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)  
• December 19th, 2022, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)  

State and Territories Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grants ($40,000,000): For states, territories, and the District of Columbia to improve solid waste management planning, data collection, and program implementation. EPA is requesting Notices of Intent to Participate in this grant program from states and territories by December 15th, 2022.

Overview of program, review notice of intent to participate, and answer questions (same presentations)  

• November 29th, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)  
• December 1st, 2022, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)  

Review program guidance and workplans, and answer questions (same presentations)  

• December 19th, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)  
• January 3rd, 2023, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)  

Recycling Education and Outreach Grants ($30,000,000): For states, tribes, territories, local governments, and other organizations to fund projects to improve consumer education and outreach on waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting by providing them with the practical tools needed to reduce waste generation, decrease contamination in the recycling stream, and increase recycling rates across the country in a manner that is equitable for all. Applications for funding are due January 16th, 2023. 

Overview of request for application, eligible entities, evaluation criteria, application process, and answer questions (same presentations)  

• November 30th, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)  
• December 6th, 2022, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)  

Review procurement, subawards, and answer questions (same presentations)  

• December 15th, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:30pm (EST)  
• December 20th, 2022, 6:00pm – 7:00pm (EST)  

Learn more about each of these funding opportunities at EPA’s The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Transforming U.S. Recycling and Waste Management web page.  

Transportation Committee to Host MPOs on Long Range Transportation Plans

On Wednesday, November 30th at 8:30 AM, the Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership will host a virtual presentation from the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (Boston MPO) and Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (CMMPO) on the development of their respective Long-Range Transportation Plans. Click here to register for the meeting.

MPOs are federally required to produce a Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) every four years with a minimum 20-year planning horizon. These plans typically vary in their scope, objectives, geographic scale, and release schedule. LRTPs ultimately establish a vision for the region’s transportation system by factoring in travel patterns, technology, equity needs, population growth, and land-use patterns, among other areas to address system preservation, modernization efforts, safety, congestion, and multimodality. LRTPs reflect the application of programmatic transportation goals, planning studies, and the prioritization of large-scale infrastructure projects in a fiscally constrained environment.

495/MetroWest Partnership communities that are served by the Boston MPO include Acton, Ashland, Bellingham, Bolton, Boxborough, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Norfolk, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, and Wrentham.

495/MetroWest Partnership communities that are served by CMMPO include Berlin, Grafton, Hopedale, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Upton, and Westborough.

Recap: I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvement Project Briefing

On Thursday, November 3rd the Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership hosted representatives from MassDOT to provide an update on the I-495/I-90 interchange improvements project. Construction activities for the project are slated to begin in the coming weeks. On an average day, approximately 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. 

• Click here to access the slide deck from the presentation
• Click here to sign up to receive project email updates directly from MassDOT

Inquiries or concerns regarding the project may be directed to MassDOT staff via email at [email protected].

Job Posting: Town of Southborough Seeks DPW Superintendent

The Town of Southborough is seeking applications from qualified individuals for the full-time position of DPW Superintendent. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and administering the services and operation of the town's Department of Public Works, including public infrastructure, equipment, vehicle maintenance, engineering, public shade trees, public roads, solid waste transfer station, water, snow and ice removal, the operation of town cemeteries, departmental grant administration and the planning and execution of major capital projects. This key leadership position is appointed by the Select Board and reports to the Town Administrator.

Click here to access the complete posting. Inquiries regarding this opportunity may be directed to [email protected].

The 495/MetroWest Partnership includes job postings at the request of a municipality; please contact Executive Director Jason Palitsch at [email protected] to request inclusion of a municipal job posting in a future Information and Resource Update.