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Our quarterly newsletter captures project spotlights, conferences and events attended, and recent company updates.
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 Epsilon is proud of our role in helping airports throughout the Commonwealth remain compliant and safe. As part of this role, we have been helping airports produce Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHAs). These plans are implemented by many airport operators at General Aviation (GA) airports to ensure safety. They help the airport operator identify features and/or activities on and near the airport that can attract wildlife, pinpoint the wildlife hazards to aircraft operations, and provide a recommendation of actions the airport can take to reduce wildlife hazards to air carrier operations. Many GA airports receive much needed funding to implement WHAs through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the FAA recognizes the importance of WHAs in identifying and minimizing the risks of aircraft-wildlife collisions.
Recently completing WHAs at Beverly Regional Airport, Orange Municipal
Airport and Plymouth Municipal Airport, Epsilon's wildlife biologists are experts at producing WHAs. We collaborate with our airport engineer and GA airport partners to outline an appropriate yearlong monitoring approach to prepare a WHA. The assessments require on-site and off-site surveys in which we conduct small mammal surveys as well as bird surveys. The data and information are analyzed to present trends in mammal and bird abundance and behavioral patterns, which are reported in the airport's WHA report. Upon the completion of a WHA, an additional step of a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) may be recommended by the FAA. A WHMP identifies specific measures an airport can implement to reduce the risk of wildlife strikes. Aspects of a WHMP include responsible personnel, wildlife hazard deterrent measures and procedural information that airport managers can then implement and update as necessary to maintain safety.
 Our staff is always pleased to help airports see successful results through a WHA and WHMP. We utilize our wildlife hazard expertise along with our understanding of the complex FAA requirements and standards to bring GA airports into compliance with federal, state and local requirements. We integrate the specific needs of our clients to provide real-world answers to wildlife hazard management for successful results!
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Historic Tax Credits Used to Help Convert Vacant Historic Textile Mill
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Before
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When Liberty Affordable Housing Inc. looked to develop an old historic 1879 textile mill, they turned to Epsilon to assist with the historic tax credits to help fund the project. This former granite mill building located in the City of Fall River was formally known as the Wampanoag Mill #2, which was the part of the textile complex that produced millions of yards of cloth annually. In 2017, after a multi-year planning process, Liberty Affordable Housing broke ground to transform the former mill into senior apartments, including a 5,000 sq. ft. senior center.
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After
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In late 2019, Liberty Affordable Housing Inc. completed the rehabilitation of the textile mill into what is now called Knitting Mill Apartments and it did not take long for the apartment complex to be fully occupied. The building includes 100 units of affordable senior housing. This adaptive reuse project was funded by several programs including but not limited to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development's Low Income Housing Tax Credits Program, Massachusetts HOME Funds, Affordable Housing Trust Funds, City of Fall River HOME Funds, and federal and state historic tax credits. Epsilon was instrumental in assisting the developer obtain over $10 million dollars in federal and state historic tax credits. Our team of historic preservation consultants is always pleased to see such a successful project and was excited to help this project advance and provide much needed housing in the City of Fall River.
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 Where We've Been | |
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During this COVID-19 pandemic in-person events have all but stopped. However, Epsilon remains active in organization events participating in a number of webinars as speakers and moderators. These webinars help us to stay up to date with the current situation as well as industry trends.
 Presented & Moderated - On June 3, Managing Principal Peggy Briggs participated as a member of the panel for Environmental Business Council's (EBC) lunch time webinar focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on the environmental industry in New England. Panelists discussed how restrictions have impacted operations, business continuity, agency engagement, and new opportunities. Peggy spoke about Epsilon's experience navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic.
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What's New At Epsilon | |
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COVID-19 Update. Like other firms, Epsilon is continuously navigating and updating our policies and procedures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We have opened the office in accordance with guidance from the state of Massachusetts and are diligently adhering to the state guidance. However, employees have the choice to remain working from home and many are using that option. Regardless of work location, as a firm we continue to remain responsive to client and project demands across the board. As always, the health and safety of our employees remain a top priority and we will make sure this remains a priority through this unprecedented time.
Industry involvement. Recently elected to the Institute on Noise Control Engineering (INCE) Board of Directors, Managing Principal Rob O'Neal is again looking forward to participating in the organization as a board member. His current term will go from 2020 through 2023. Having previously served from 2014-2016 Rob is very familiar with the benefits that come from being active in this organization and is looking forward to continuing his service to the INCE organization and the acoustics industry.
In addition, Epsilon Principal Dwight Dunk was recently recognized by the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program as a Senior Professional Wetland Scientist. The Professional Certification Program was started 25 years ago and Dwight was among the first to be certified as a PWS in 1995. This honor was approved by the Professional Certification Program Board of Directors for his more than 20 years of professional service in good standing with the Professional Certification Program.
Recent Promotions. We are happy to be able to share some recent well-deserved promotions. Both Tricia Foster and Erik Rexford have been promoted to Senior Consultant and Jen Alker has been promoted to Senior Finance Administrator.
Kudos! Senior Engineer Clint Cyr recently graduated (virtually) with his peers from Pennsylvania State University's Class of 2020 with his Master's of Engineering in Acoustics. Congratulations Clint on this great accomplishment!
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