The 495/MetroWest Partnership is teaming up with The MassINC Polling Group and other business groups across the Commonwealth to survey employees about returning to work and the new commute. Please take a moment to complete the survey, and/or distribute the survey to your employees as you are willing. Participants who complete the survey will have a chance to enter a raffle for one of five $100 Visa gift cards.

Last year MassINC conducted a commuter survey, sponsored by the Barr Foundation, of workers statewide which helped quantify to policymakers the magnitude of the impact of the pandemic on businesses and commuting patterns. Now, as Massachusetts reopens after COVID, understanding who will be returning to the office and how they plan to get there is crucial. Click here to access the survey.

MassDEP has proposed updates to 310 CMR 36.00, the Water Resources Management Program Regulations.

MassDEP is proposing to amend the regulation to add a condition to Water Management Registrations that would restrict nonessential outdoor water use by registrants during times of drought declared by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Per MassDEP, "this regulatory amendment would better align water use during times of drought with the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, as updated in 2019, and ensure adequate water for public health and safety and continued economic stability when water supplies are stressed by drought, and an appropriate balance among competing water uses and natural resources such as streamflow, wetlands, fisheries and wildlife habitat during drought."

Click here to review a complete summary of the proposed revisions.

Click here to review the proposed revisions (redline-strikeout version).

MassDEP will conduct two online public hearings on the proposed regulatory amendment on Wednesday, July 7th, at 10:00 AM and Friday, July 16th at 10:00 AM. Advance registration is required for each hearing:

Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM on Monday, July 26th. All comments submitted must include the name and contact information of the person providing the comments. Written comments should be submitted by e-mail to [email protected] and include WMA Regulations in the subject line. In lieu of electronic submission, please send a paper copy to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Resource Protection - Water Management Program, One Winter Street, 5th floor, Boston, MA 02108, Attention: WMA Regulations.

The Town of Acton has begun its Climate Action Plan (CAP) process, and is actively seeking input and involvement from community members and businesses. The final CAP will include 15 to 20 strategies for the Town to prioritize over the next 5-10 years to curb community-wide greenhouse gas emissions (including recommendations for buildings, energy supply, mobility/transportation, and nature-based solutions).

There interested in taking part in Acton’s CAP process are asked to complete a community-wide survey on climate and sustainability. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. To get further involved in the process or to stay up to date going forward, click here to fill out a brief form to express your interest.

Please contact the Town of Acton's Sustainability Director, Andrea Becerra, at [email protected] for additional information.

The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) is conducting an analysis to understand the desire and potential use of a bikeshare system within its service region, as part of an effort to broaden the region's multi-modal transportation network.

CMRPC is seeking public participation in an online survey to gauge interest in a bikeshare program; click here to access the survey. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, and will remain open until this Friday, July 2nd.

CMRPC communities included within the 495/MetroWest Partnership's service region are Berlin, Grafton, Hopedale, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Upton, and Westborough.

Last week, the 495/MetroWest Partnership published our 2021 Strength in Numbers report, highlighting our region’s advantages and successes. Accompanying the report are economic and demographic profiles of each of our 36 cities and towns. Data points presented in each community profile include population changes, educational attainment, commuting patterns, housing information, occupations and industries, and more.

Click here to access our 2021 Community Profiles.

We invite our stakeholders to utilize our Strength in Numbers report and the accompanying community profiles in promoting the region and inviting others to be a part of all that is happening throughout our 36 communities!