Construction Outlook April 2024

MassDEP, MWRA, and BWSC Officials Discuss Upcoming Capital Projects

JULIA D’ALLESSANDRO

JERRY GAGLIARDUCCI Gagliarducci Construction, Inc.

JOE GIOIOSO

P. Gioioso & Sons, Inc.

JUSTIN GOODHEART

J. F. White Contracting Co.

DAVID HAMILTON

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LISA FRENCH KELLEY

W. L. French Excavating Corp.

WILLIAM LEONARD

Aqua Line Utility, Inc.

RYAN McCOURT McCourt Construction Company

CHIP McDONALD ATS Equipment, Inc.

MIKE OTTAVIANO

Jolin Paving &

ROBBIE OUR

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RICHARD PACELLA

R. M. Pacella, Inc.

JOSEPH F. NOLAN Executive Director

UCANE’S Commitment to Building and Maintaining Our Critical Underground Infrastructure is Unwavering

Now that Spring is upon us, I am filled with optimism for the season ahead. We now embark on what promises to be another successful construction season for UCANE members across the Commonwealth and New England.

In 2024, we mark the third year of significant funding impacts from the Federal Infrastructure Bill.

This bill allocates $55 billion over five years to upgrade drinking water and wastewater systems nationwide, with a substantial portion earmarked for projects in Massachusetts. This influx of funds presents us with remarkable opportunities to continue our strides in drinking water, wastewater, and utility infrastructure development within Massachusetts and throughout New England.

At our recent March Construction Industry Forecast Dinner Meeting UCANE was honored to host distinguished guests such as John Beling, Deputy Commissioner of Policy & Planning at MassDEP, Fred Laskey, MWRA Executive Director, and John Sullivan, Chief Engineer at Boston Water & Sewer Commission. These individuals provided invaluable insights into each agency's upcoming construction projects and capital plans for 2024 and beyond.

Of notable significance was MWRA's commitment to addressing PFAS challenges in municipal drinking water supplies across the region. By extending membership to communities with capacity, MWRA aims to provide options to building new treatment systems by allowing cities and towns to connect to the MWRA network for their water needs. Either program will see UCANE contractors build these new connections or constructing these new treatment plants.

Additionally, the urgent need for more affordable housing in the Commonwealth underscores the importance of investing in our water and wastewater infrastructure. It has become increasingly evident that accommodating the scale of housing development

proposed, by current and previous administrations, will require parallel investments in infrastructure. As cities and towns expand their housing bases, substantial upgrades in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure are imperative to support this growth.

Comprehensive summaries of MWRA, BWSC, and MassDEP funding for 2024-2026 capital plans and construction projects can be found in this magazine starting on page 37, as well as links provided on the UCANE website.

For members seeking a diversified portfolio of work; water, wastewater, and utility projects in the Commonwealth are complimented by billions of additional dollars in highway, bridge, rail, and broadband construction projects across Massachusetts and New England.

UCANE has been actively collaborating with allied agencies in both the public and private sectors through the #InvestInWaterMA campaign aimed at educating municipalities on securing funding for local projects. As we ride the wave of ARRA and infrastructure funding into 2026, we must remain vigilant of the ongoing needs for water, wastewater, and utility infrastructure investments across the Commonwealth, particularly as these one-time funds begin to diminish.

As UCANE celebrates its 70th Anniversary of advocating for our members' interests, we are grateful for the opportunities our membership has been blessed with. We do so while confidently looking towards the future. Our commitment to building and maintaining critical water, wastewater, and utility infrastructure remains unwavering, ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for our members and communities here in New England. n

Mark Molloy, Esq.

House Sees Link Between Housing and Water Infrastructure

One of the more eagerly anticipated pieces of legislation on Beacon Hill is the housing bond bill, filed by Governor Maura Healey last fall. The legislation, House Bill 4138, would provide over $4 billion in bond authorization for the development of new housing throughout the Commonwealth. Recently released from the Joint Committee on Housing, House Speaker Ron Mariano stated that the House version of the same legislation will call for expansion of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s (MWRA’s) service area. Speaker Mariano did not identify the specific areas where the MWRA would be authorized or directed for expansion.

Created by the Massachusetts legislature in 1984, the MWRA currently provides wholesale water and sewer services to 3.1 million people and more than 5,500 businesses in 61 communities in eastern and central Massachusetts. Since October 2022, the MWRA has had three feasibility studies completed, looking at the potential to expand the MWRA system in the MetroWest area, the Ipswich River Basin, and to the South Shore.

As reported by the State House News Service, two of the reports specifically indicate that water infrastructure is a crucial prerequisite for population growth and the kind of revved up housing production that most state leaders want to encourage. The South Shore report says that many of the towns studied "continue to experience challenges in meeting the water demands and growth expectations of their communities" and the MetroWest report concluded that towns in that region "may experience challenges in meeting water demands and growth expectations of their communities." The MetroWest study calculated a maximum water demand of

57.1 million gallons per day and an average of 30.8 million gallons per day for the towns studied. It concluded that "the MWRA's water system has sufficient capacity to supply the current maximum day demand of the MetroWest communities in the study area under normal operating conditions." For the South Shore and Ipswich River Basin, the MWRA's studies concluded that capacity either is, or could be, available to meet the projected demand (48.9 million gallons per day for the Ipswich River Basin and 40.5 million gallons per day for the South Shore towns).

While interested in how to distribute its excess capacity water, the MWRA has also been moving forward to create redundant water flow systems that would enable the agency to address the infrastructure vulnerabilities associated with the existing tunnel system. The project proposes the construction of two new deep rock water supply tunnels, about 15 miles long in total and running 200 to 400 feet below the ground surface of several communities. The redundant tunnels would originate at the westernmost point of the Metropolitan Tunnel System near the interchange of Interstates 90 and 95, and one would run north towards Waltham and the other would head towards Boston. Construction for that project is estimated to take 8 to 12 years and is planned to occur between 2027 and 2040.

In addition to the potential for MWRA expansion, Governor Healey’s housing bill also contains $175 million for a HousingWorks program that will mimic the MassWorks program in its provision of grant funding to assist in the development of key infrastructure for new housing. To review House Bill 4138, please visit: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4138.

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The Healey-Driscoll Administration Funds Grants to Assess Needs for Supporting Critical Habitats

Mid-March saw the Healey-Driscoll Administration award $182,897 in federally funded grant awards for projects that will preserve critical habitat, support fish migration, and improve tidal flow to salt marshes in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The four grants, which are being matched by nearly $90,000 in state, local, and private funds, are being awarded by the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) through the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Southeast New England Program.

The following municipalities were awarded grants:

• Town of Fairhaven ($15,000). Funding to purchase a conservation restriction on a 5.75-acre parcel of land to prevent future development, preserve natural resources, and provide pas-

sive recreational opportunities to the public. The property, consisting of coastal forest, wetlands, and a perennial stream, immediately connects to over 250 acres of existing conservation land as well as the regional multi-use Phoenix Bike Trail.

• Town of Marion ($47,897). Funding to complete feasibility/conceptual designs to replace two undersized culverts on Delano Road in Marion. The culverts restrict water flow between the expansive wooded wetlands of the Great Swamp and adjacent coastal habitats of Buzzards Bay.

• Town of Wareham ($70,000). This grant will allow for complete feasibility/conceptual designs to support the replacement of a tidally restrictive culvert on Indian Neck Road at the Crooked River. The project will also investigate the partial removal of a dike that restricts tidal

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Legislative Update continued from page 9

exchange within the adjacent Jack’s Marsh. The replacement of these structures will support climate resilience goals by improving tidal exchange to 11 acres of marsh and facilitating future pathways for marsh migration to adjacent low-lying areas in the face of rising sea levels.

• Town of Westport ($50,000). Funding will allow for complete data collection and survey work to advance the replacement of three undersized and deteriorating culverts located on cold water streams. The culverts reduce aquatic connectivity, serve as barriers to native fish migration, and pose risks to public safety.

The Office of Coastal Zone Management is the lead policy and planning agency on coastal and ocean issues within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Created in 1985, the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program provides grants and technical assistance to Buzzards Bay watershed communities to protect and restore water quality and natural resources in Buzzards Bay and its surrounding watershed and is one of 28 similar programs designated by the EPA.

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Build on what matters most.

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Massachusetts to Require Analysis of Cumulative Impacts for Air Quality Permits near Environmental Justice Populations

According to a press release issued at the end of March, the Healey-Driscoll Administration will address air quality issues in or near environmental justice areas by amending the Commonwealth’s air pollution regulations. The changes require certain facilities seeking air emissions permits in or near communities with environmental justice populations to conduct a cumulative impact analysis, which evaluates existing local environmental and health conditions in a community. The regulations also require enhanced public outreach to, and meaningful involvement of, environmental justice populations in the permitting process. The new regulations are now in force and apply to permit applications filed with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on or after July 1, 2024.

Under existing regulations, new facilities are not required to assess potential pollution in light of existing environmental and health conditions or existing pollutant sources in the area. By requiring new and expanding facilities that will emit air pollution to conduct a cumulative impacts analysis prior to applying for an air permit, residents will be empowered with practical information about potential impacts to their health and community. Among the specific areas the new regulations address include, but are not limited to:

• Community Engagement. The regulations apply to projects that would emit significant amounts of air pollutants in or near environmental justice communities – for example, certain power plants, large boilers, and man -

Legislative Update continued from page 13

ufacturing facilities. At least 60 days before applying for a new or modified air permit, the permit applicant must provide a notification and fact sheet about the proposed project to nearby environmental justice populations, local officials, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). The applicant also must provide public involvement opportunities and document and respond to comments and concerns raised by the public.

• Comprehensive Analysis. The new rules require permit applicants to assess existing community conditions by evaluating 33 environmental, health, and socio-economic indicators. These indicators help characterize existing pollution sources, health vulnerabilities, and other stressors that could be worsened by increased air emissions from the proposed project. The updated rules require a more comprehensive analysis of the impacts of these projects to local communities, including consideration of existing air pollution and health conditions; vulnerabilities in affected

communities; and socioeconomic and demographic indicators.

The MassDEP has developed guidance and tools in support of the new regulations that can be used by permit applicants and environmental justice p opulations. These include guidance on how to conduct a cumulative impact analysis, including public outreach, assessment of existing community conditions, and analysis of cumulative impacts; a Mapping and Data Application for use in the assessment of existing community conditions; and a Massachusetts Air Toxics Risk Scre ening Tool (MATRiST) that can be used in the cumulative impact analysis to estimate cumulative air toxics risks from proposed projects.

Within two years of the effective date of the regulations, the MassDEP will seek input and feedback from the public regarding potential updates for the regulations. More information on cumulative impact analysis requirements can be found at: www.mass.gov/info-details/ cumulative-impact-analysis-in-air-quality-permitting.

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Ipswich River Basin to Receive Funding to Combat PFAS

March saw the Healey-Driscoll Administration announce it has awarded $2.3 million in grants to help seven communities with water sources in the Ipswich River Basin optimize their water supply and treat for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl compounds, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” due to their persistent nature. The grants are part of an effort by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and the MassDEP to maintain and improve access to clean and safe drinking water.

The grant program will be administered by the MassDEP to guide near-term action items to address challenges to water quality, as well as longer-term management efforts. Initiatives are focused on addressing water contaminants such as PFAS and connecting water supplies for emergency backup, treatment efficiencies, and other needs.

The following communities and water suppliers were awarded funds:

• Hamilton, Wenham, Salem Beverly Water Supply Board (SBWSB)($232,490). This project will analyze, permit and design a new interim water supply connection between Hamilton and Wenham to ensure a supply from the SBWSB on an emergency and possibly a longterm basis. This project will also analyze and produce a conceptual design of available treatment strategies for removing PFAS from Wenham’s two groundwater sources.

• Town of Wilmington ($180,200). This project consists of planning and 90 percent design (including drawings and specifications for civil and mechanical design elements, geotechnical, structural, electrical, and instrumentation and controls) of a booster wa -

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ter pump station to increase capacity of the town’s Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) connection so that Wilmington can supply water to their maximum daily demand.

• Town of Ipswich ($493,112). This project reimburses the town for steps taken to develop a new water treatment plant, which will address limited treatment capacity, including PFAS. The new treatment plant is being designed with capacity to treat additional sources of water quality and quantity in the Parker River Basin, improving the opportunity to reduce the town’s reliance on its river basin sources. This project also funds monitoring wells around a potential new water source outside of the Ipswich River Basin.

• Lynnfield Center Water District (LCWD) ($695,000). This project consists of the construction of the vault and associated system components to connect the Wakefield and LCWD systems. This includes: a 21-foot by 7.5-foot concrete, below-grade vault; approximately 200 feet of 8-inch transmission pipe;

valve for controlling flow through the interconnection; venturi meter for measurement of flow; and sample station and associated instrumentation and controls.

• Lynnfield Center Water District (LCWD) ($75,000/$540,025/$84,100). This project will assist the LCWD in applying for and meeting the requirements of a MWRA membership, including all necessary certificates and permits. Further grant funding will fund engineering design of the Granulated Activated Carbon treatment system configuration at the Glen Drive water treatment plant to remove PFAS contamination in drinking water sources in the Ipswich River Basin. Finally, grant funding was received to fund a portion of the infrastructure design of a raw water pipeline from LCWD’s source at Station 2 (Main Street) to the Glen Drive Water Treatment Plant and associated pumping upgrades to allow for the treatment of PFAS.

For more information about the Ipswich Water Supply and PFAS Program, please visit: https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/water-managementact-grant-programs-for-public-water-suppliers.

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$50 Million in ARPA Funds to Jumpstart EV Infrastructure

In an announcement that did not gain as much traction as it probably should have, the HealeyDriscoll Administration announced in February an investment of $50 million in initiatives to build out electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Massachusetts. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will increase access to charging infrastructure for more residents, electrify the state fleet, improve operation of public charging stations, manage the impact of charging infrastructure on the electric grid, and provide charging solutions for difficult to electrify vehicle types.

The $50 million in ARPA funds will support innovative EV technology programs at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), charging infrastructure investments for the state fleet through Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), testing equipment and staff at the Division of Standards (DOS) to conduct inspec tions of public charging stations, and future analysis of EV charging needs by the Electric Vehicle Infra structure Coordinating Council (EVICC).

Among the specific funding to be allocated in cludes, but is not limited to:

• Electric Vehicle Curbside Parking for Resi dents in Multi-Unit Dwellings ($12.5 million). MassCEC will work to help municipalities ex pand access to EV charging for residents with limited access to home charging, particularly in environmental justice and urban communities. The project aims to increase the number of overnight curbside charging stations, including accessible pole-mounted and streetlamp EV charging solutions. A technical consultant will deploy on-street charging near multi-unit dwelling neighborhoods and provide guidance to municipalities for future implementation.

in this sector is project delays due to limits in grid infrastructure.

• EV Charging at Priority State Facilities ($9.5 million). DCAMM will seek to install fleet EV charging infrastructure in 60 or more high priority sites at state facilities. Each site would receive an average of four EV ports and four make-ready spots, making it easy to double the number of charging stations in the future.

To learn more about the MassCEC’s work towards developing electric infrastructure solutions, please visit: www.masscec.com/grid-modernizationand-infrastructure-planning. Additional information about potential grant funding from the MassDEP for companies looking to electrify their fleets and update their electric infrastructure can be found at: https:// www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-massevip-workplace-fleet-charging-incentives. n

• Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electrification Mobile Charging Solutions ($9.5 million). Of particular note to UCANE members, MassCEC will complete a market characterization study paired with deployment projects to demonstrate mobile charging financial models and use cases for medium and heavy-duty (MDHD) vehicles. One major challenge to achieving electrification

Speaker p ro Tempore

k aTe Hogan

Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan always felt pulled to public service and before running for office. She served on Stow’s Council on Aging and the Conservation and Preservation Commission. She was also a member of the Stow Democratic Town Committee and Officer of the Middlesex & Worcester (M&W) Democrats. In those roles, she worked to lobby for passage of “An Act for a Healthy Massachusetts: Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals” Legislation. Before running for office for the first time in 2008, she had a successful 25-year sales and marketing career in the publishing and print industry.

As costs continue to rise, please give your thoughts on how the state will continue to support cities and towns to provide basic municipal services, specifically, needed infrastructure improvements.

Q: A:

I’ll give an example from one of the towns in my district to illustrate why I think it’s critical that we take a “whole of government” approach to ensure success in building more resilient infrastructure so that we protect and ensure community services for generations to come.

Nearly two years ago, we got together in Bolton to celebrate almost $1.4 million in funding for critical infrastructure projects. Bolton is a small, rural community with Route 117 cutting through its middle, providing access for several other towns to Route 495. This convenience makes the town a desirable place for families to live, but results in increased traffic and safety concerns. Bolton’s challenge is increasing housing and improving safety along Route 117 - particularly at an outdated intersection near the regional high schoolwithout jeopardizing the town’s rural character. Through careful planning and zoning, Bolton was designated a Housing Choice Community and eligible for MassWorks Infrastructure Grants.

The MassWorks grant program is critical to the success of Bolton’s safety and infrastructure improvements plan, as well as the town’s continued expansion of housing and economic development.

In addition to the state administration’s funds, I was delighted to earmark funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for important culvert repairs in Bolton.

Together, the Governor’s administration, the Legislature, and our federal partners in Congress, contributed to a locally-designed infrastructure plan, the Forbush Mill Road Corridor, that revitalizes an important area in Bolton.

This approach is, of course, not unique to Bolton or Massachusetts. All municipalities should consider their partners at the state and federal level as critical resources for building a resilient community for future generations.

Q:

What are the biggest challenges for your district and region with regard to continued economic growth?

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Interview continued from page 23

As in many other areas, housing, transportation, and water infrastructure top the list of challenges facing the district and region I represent. Recently, we’ve also seen that Massachusetts is experiencing a skills gap between needed positions and the training of those looking for work. We need to support not only increased investment in our workforce development system, but also a better connection for employers to that system.

I believe that regional collaboration, together with strong representation and partnerships across all levels of government, strengthens our ability to forge meaningful solutions for long-term sustainability and develop communities for the 21st Century.

The #InvestinWaterMA campaign, sponsored by UCANE, highlights the importance of water infrastructure to a wide variety of industries. Can you share a sampling of some of the specific industries in your district that benefit from our investments in water infrastructure?

• $400,000 for a new culvert on Forbush Mill Road in Bolton as part of ongoing climate adaptation

• $410,000 for environmental and wastewater infrastructure improvements in Maynard

• $400,000 to complete bank restoration and finish the Assabet Riverwalk Project in Hudson

• $300,000 to install firefighting water cisterns in Stow increasing capacity and enhancing climate adaption

As Co-Chair of the state’s PFAS Interagency Task Force, can you share with us your work to address the Task Force’s findings? Q: A: continued on page 27

Some recent investments in water infrastructure around the Third Middlesex District include:

• $1.4 million in ARPA funding to the Town of Hudson to strengthen essential water drainage infrastructure

• $150,000 in the FY24 budget for firefighting cisterns in Stow to ensure adequate water supplies for firefighting even during extreme drought conditions

• $30,000 in the FY24 budget for OARS to monitor water quality of the Assabet River and protect our environment

• $400,000 in FY22 economic development bill for Old Marlborough Road Water Treatment Plant in Maynard

• $400,000 in FY22 economic development bill for Bolton to replace and repair culverts

• In 2021, as part of the ARPA

Interview continued from page 25

The Interagency PFAS Task Force that I cochaired with Senator Cyr released its final report and recommendations in April 2022. The report is a culmination of nine hearings held by the Task Force, which convened researchers, advocacy groups, community members, municipal officials, state agencies, public water systems, legislators, and other stakeholders and experts on the issues surrounding PFAS. The report offers an expansive review of PFAS in the Commonwealth and recommended legislative and regulatory action to address PFAS use and contamination.

The FY23 budget includes funding for MassDEP and DPH to carry out many of the recommendations made by the Task Force. In May 2022, I joined Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey to announce that Massachusetts would be filing a lawsuit against 13 manufacturers of PFAS.

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In January 2023, Senator Cyr and I filed a comprehensive bill, An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS (or the Mass PFAS Act), that aims to clean up existing PFAS contamination and prevent future contamination in the Commonwealth. Along with other efforts to combat the toxic chemicals, the bill establishes a PFAS Remediation Trust Fund, regulates PFAS in food packaging and consumer products, reduces PFAS in wastewater, and protects firefighters from elevated exposure to PFAS. The Joint Committee on Public Health has reported favorably on the bill and we are excited to see it make its way through the Legislature.

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I’m committed to championing and working on the issues that matter most to my constituents and the residents of the Commonwealth. In particular, this session we continue to work on efforts to build our regional economy. I was proud to co-host an event with the 495/MetroWest Partnership on the Future of Transportation in the region and look forward to working with our communities in developing their resources and implementing strategic plans for development. n

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $1.4 Billion in Loans and Grants to Fund Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that more than $1.4 billion in low-interest-rate loans and grants will fund 168 projects across the Commonwealth designed to improve water quality, upgrade or replace aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and promote energy efficiency measures at water treatment facilities.

“This is a substantial investment in our communities that will increase the availability of safe, clean drinking water and ensure the proper disposal of wastewater,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These vital water and sewer projects will boost the quality of life for our residents, protect the environment, and foster economic development and job growth across Massachusetts.”

“Our administration remains committed to protecting public health and safety by rebuilding and improving local clean water and drinking water infrastructure,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This important funding helps to forge a partnership between state and local officials that produces more sustainable, reliable, and affordable water infrastructure projects for all.”

Projects were selected through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) process administered by the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust – a joint effort of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), the Executive Office of Administration and Finance (ANF), and the State Treasurer’s Office. The SRF has provided more than $8.6 billion to Massachusetts communities and water suppliers for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure improvements.

“These projects are critical to the health and wellbeing of everyone here in Massachusetts,” said Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. “The grant funding and low interest rate loans from the Trust helps cities and towns to finance cost-effective projects, especially in our most vulnerable communities.”

The latest round of funding supports 49 clean water construction projects totaling approximately $932 million and 50 drinking water construction projects totaling approximately $503 million. An additional $8 million will be offered as grants for 69 Asset Management Planning projects. These initiatives will help ad-

dress issues increasingly confronting municipalities, including PFAS contamination, elevated lead levels in drinking water, and failed septic systems.

“Flooding caused by climate change has overwhelmed many local water and sewer treatment facilities, adding urgency to the need to address this aging infrastructure,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These low-interest loans and grants provide critical assistance for projects that will replace water mains, expand treatment plant capacity, and install cost-effective renewable energy upgrades.”

Twenty water infrastructure projects receiving financing promote renewable energy, energy efficiency or green infrastructure objectives in accordance with MassDEP’s Clean Energy Results Program. Energy use at wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities is a major contributor to overall energy consumption for many cities and towns, with communities statewide spending approximately $150 million each year on electricity to treat approximately 662 billion gallons of wastewater and drinking water. About 30 percent of municipal energy use is attributed to water treatment.

“Upgrading aging water infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events and combat lead and PFAS contamination poses serious challenges for our cities and towns,” said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. “By providing more than $1.4 billion for 168 projects in communities across Massachusetts, we are helping these facilities install state-ofthe-art technologies to provide safe and clean water, reduce their energy costs and become more climate resilient.”

Fifty-six of these new projects are eligible to receive principal forgiveness, including renewable energy projects and those in communities that meet affordability criteria.

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Healey-Driscoll continued from page 29

The Commonwealth has also offered to reduce the borrowing rate from 2 percent to 1.5 percent for communities that support the Housing Choice Initiative. Eighteen applicants have the Housing Choice designation this year: Amherst, Barnstable, Billerica, Boston, Brockton, Easton, Gloucester, Lawrence, Littleton, Lowell, Nantucket, Newton, North Reading, Quincy, Provincetown, Revere, Scituate, and Wellfleet.

Statements of Support

“I’m thrilled that seven capital improvement projects in my district will receive vital stimulus funding through the Department of Environmental Protection’s and Clean Water Trust’s State Revolving Fund. This funding will enable interlocking water enhancement, sewer infrastructure, and flood mitigation projects in key areas on the Southcoast,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (DWestport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These major improvements driven and guided by the local municipalities, will spur smart growth, economic development, and improve the overall quality of life for the residents and businesses in the district.”

“On behalf of the residents of the Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester district that we work together to serve, I want to thank the Department of Environmental Protection and all the municipal leaders across the region for their work in securing these loans and grants for FY24 and congratulate them on their successful applications,” said State Senator Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow), Senate Chair of the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. “These significant and vital funds will help to enhance our water infrastructure and safeguard public health in our communities, building a more sustainable and resilient future for all.”

“Westport is incredibly appreciative of this commitment from the State Revolving Fund which will help us to improve water quality in the Westport River, provide clean drinking water for north end residents, and create planned economic growth along Route 6,” said

State Representative Paul Schmid (D-Westport), House Chair of the Committee on Agriculture. “These types of projects are important to the health of a community, and the opportunity to finance them affordably makes all the difference to small communities.”

“I am tremendously appreciative to the HealeyDriscoll Administration for this award. The folks who live at Pine Valley have endured years of insecurity surrounding the future of their drinking water,” said State Representative Aaron Saunders (D-Belchertown). “The financial security for this project will ensure that the residents will not have to worry about the quality and the amount of drinking water available for the foreseeable future.”

MassDEP will open the next SRF solicitation for proposals by May 15, 2024. n

UCANE’s 2024 Construction Forecast Dinner Meeting

Sponsored by C. N. Wood Co., Inc.

MassDEP, MWRA, and BWSC Leaders Discuss the Infrastructure Bill and Upcoming Capital Projects

John Beling MassDEP Deputy Commissioner

TFred Laskey MWRA Executive Director

he Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Norwood, MA was the venue for UCANE’s Annual Trade Show and Construction Forecast Dinner Meeting attended by more than 325 members and guests. (See related Trade Show article starting on page 70.)

Key heads of the MassDEP, MWRA, and BWSC again volunteered their personal time to present their respective agencies’ Capital Improvement Programs. The speakers for the evening were MassDEP Deputy Commissioner, John Beling; Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Executive Director, Fred Laskey; and Boston Water & Sewer Commission Chief Engineer John Sullivan. Each provided a power point presentation of construction projects for 2024 and beyond.

UCANE President Brian Cooney (C.C. Construction, Inc.) opened the program by welcoming everyone and thanking long-time member C.N. Wood Co., Inc., Gerry Carney, and the Benard family for once again sponsoring our Dinner Meeting. Turning to our guests from the public agencies, Brian then thanked them for their continued commitment to design, fund, and support UCANE members’ efforts to build the critical water and sewer projects

John Sullivan, P.E. BWSC Chief Engineer

that improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents.

UCANE Executive Director Joe Nolan then introduced several company representatives who were voted into membership at the earlier Board of Directors meeting and who were in attendance: Anthony Marchetti, Marchetti Commercial Fuels; Gretchen Drifmeyer, Stopping Traffic, LLC; and Brian Niezgoda, Niez Tech, LLC

Joe also introduced six present and former DPW Directors who were in attendance representing the Massachusetts Highway Association and Norfolk-Bristol-Middlesex Highway Association:

• Todd Korchin, Director of Public Works, Town of Westwood

• Rick Stinson, Retired Public Works Director, Town of Wakefield, Currently Marketing for BETA Engineering

• John Sanchez, Retired Public Works Director, Town of Burlington

• Joe Flanagan, Director of Public Works, Town of Dedham

• Steve Russell, C.N. Wood Co., Inc.

• Kevin Johnson, Director of Highway & Sanitation, Town of Brookline

Joe then began the evening’s formal program by introducing our featured speakers.

The first was MassDEP Deputy Commissioner John Beling who told the audience that this year’s State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) Assistance application list was one of the largest on record, and that substantial levels of funding, from both the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act and the Federal Infrastructure Law (BIL), continue to be available. In regards to the long anticipated “2024 Intended Use Plan,” Mr. Beling noted that the SRF funding capacities were at an all-time high, with an estimated $933M available for wastewater projects, and $503M for drinking water projects. He also stated that a good percentage of the funds would be processed as SRF Loan Forgiveness, similar to what was done in 2023. In regards to project design financing, the amount of funding allocated to this task would be increased, meaning that more new projects are currently being designed with the expectation of more projects coming out in future years. His expectation is that these high SRF levels will continue for the duration of the BIL, which will sunset at the end of 2026. (See more information on MassDEP’s 2024 Intended Use Plan on page 37.)

MWRA Executive Director Fred Laskey then began

his remarks and slide presentation by first congratulating UCANE on celebrating its 70 Year Anniversary.

He then provided a breakdown of drinking water and wastewater projects currently being designed as part of the MWRA’s 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan, which was quite extensive and of great interest to our members. The CIP for FY2024 (current year) is at $264M, representing a 54% increase above FY2023 levels. Looking ahead to FY25 through FY28, the CIP program is estimated to average $400M per year, once again establishing MWRA as a dominant force in the procurement of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the Commonwealth. (See the MWRA list of 2024 projects on page 51.)

Mr. Laskey proudly noted that the MWRA not only has “award winning” water quality, but the Authority also has excess water capacity and is actively exploring partnerships with new communities experiencing increased water demands. MWRA continues to perform in-depth studies covering the expansion of their water network toward the Ipswich River Basin, the South Shore area, and to MetroWest. Preliminary plans include miles of new pipelines and 10 to 14 new pump stations per area. He also noted that expanded drinking water areas, coupled with the Metropolitan Tunnel Redundancy Project (nearing final design), assures local contractors of substantial

continued on page 34

Dinner Meeting continued from page 33

work for many years to come. Acknowledging that the MWRA recently had some changes to personnel based on retirements, Mr. Laskey assured the audience that highly qualified personnel are in place, along with an expanded construction department force, ready to handle the 5-year CIP workload.

The final speaker of the evening was John Sullivan, BWSC’s Chief Engineer, certainly no stranger to UCANE members, or to about one million people living and/or working in Boston and the Greater Boston area.

Mr. Sullivan noted that, despite being one of the oldest cities in America and having one of the earliest sewer and water systems, Boston has become a model for other cities on how to maintain their underground infrastructure. That through an aggressive 30-year construction program, BWSC has been able to not only keep up with population growth and aging water and sewer infrastructure, but actually improve the overall systems. He noted, that as a quasi-public Commission, BWSC is one of the few agencies that is consistently able to fund a large percentage of their own upgrades, rehabilitations, and new installations every year. In 2020, BWSC had the fewest water breaks per mile of pipe of any city in the USA.

Dinner Meeting continued from page 34

As in past years, John presented a detailed list of projects ready to go for this season. It was an impressive list much larger than typical years, because BWSC intends to utilize additional funds provided through the Infrastructure Law and available through the SRF program. Project locations, descriptions, bid dates, and estimated contract values, were presented to an “all-ears” audience. John also made sure to remind Deputy Commissioner Beling (jokingly) that he had more “shovel-ready” projects than Fred did – and to make sure he saved some SRF funds for BWSC! (See the BWSC 2024 Capital Improvement Plan on page 57.)

Mr. Sullivan also talked about the planning that Boston has been doing over the past five years to predict and address future flooding predicted to be caused by severe storm events in portions of the City (Climate Ready Boston). BWSC was recently tasked to review some Climate Ready Boston models and Mr. Sullivan recommended that UCANE members visit the BWSC and the Climate Ready Boston websites to view some startling information relative to potential flooding impacts to the City. The scope and costs of resiliency projects necessary to protect vulnerable portions of the City have not yet been finalized, but Chief Engineer Sullivan expects that resiliency projects will soon be arriving in the City and may be eligible for funding through the Infrastructure Law.

The presentations by our three guest speakers were certainly eye opening and well received by all attendees. The increased volume in work coming to our members in the short term and the long term will be a bit challenging for contractors, but UCANE contractors are the best in the business and will be up to the task.

Following his closing remarks, Executive Director Joe Nolan thanked the speakers for their informative presentations and thanked them again for their dedication and contributions to improving the underground drinking water and wastewater utilities on behalf of all the citizens of Massachusetts. n

MassDEP Releases FINAL CY2024

Clean Water & Drinking Water SRF Lists Totaling $1.436 Billion

Over $933 Million Offered for Clean Water SRF in 2024

TJanuary 26, 2016

he Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is pleased to present the Final Calendar Year 2024 Intended Use Plan (IUP). The IUP details the projects, borrowers, grant recipients, and amounts being offered for financing through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program. The CWSRF is a joint federal-state financing program that provides subsidized loans and grants to improve and protect water quality and public health in the Commonwealth.

To All Interested Parties:

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is pleased to present the Final 2016 Intended Use Plan (IUP), which details the projects, borrowers and amounts that will be financed through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan program. The CWSRF is a joint federal-state financing loan program that provides subsidized interest rate loans to improve or protect water quality in the Commonwealth.

The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (Trust) is offering $933 million to finance wastewater projects across the Commonwealth. As noted in Table 1, approximately $818 million is being offered to finance 45 new construction projects, and $92 million is be -

As noted in Table 1, Massachusetts is offering approximately $414 million to finance clean water projects across the Commonwealth. Approximately $380 million will fund 35 new construction projects and an additional $15 million will be allocated towards funding 9 previously approved multi-year projects. $2 million has been allocated to the emergency set-aside account, and $3 million will be directed to the Community Septic Management Program to remediate failed septic systems in participating communities. An additional $13.8 million will fund 15 planning projects.

ing offered to finance 5 previously approved multiyear projects. Additionally, $3 million is allocated to the emergency set-aside account, and an additional $2 million is allocated to fund emergency PFAS or other emerging contaminants remediation projects to mitigate releases to the environment that are impacting drinking water sources, $5 million is directed to the Community Septic Management Program (CSMP) to remediate failed septic systems in participating communities, and $13 million is set aside to finance planning projects in calendar year 2024. To encourage communities and public utilities to engage in planning activities, MassDEP is accepting planning loan applications on a rolling basis while funding is available.

Clean Water State Revolving Fund CY2024 Intended Use Plan NEW PROJECTS

The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA) amended the Clean Water Act resulting in important changes to the CWSRF Program that will affect most borrowers. The primary changes to the program are the requirements for borrowers to develop and maintain a Fiscal Sustainability Plan, which is similar to an asset management plan and a certification that the cost and effectiveness of the project has been evaluated and that the project maximizes water efficiency and energy conservation. The body of the IUP discusses these new WRRDA requirements in greater detail.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet determined the exact 2016 SRF grant allocations to the states. Based on the overall federal appropriation, MassDEP expects to receive an estimated $44 million federal grant to subsidize the CWSRF program. Under the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Congress is requiring that at least 10% of the federal grant be used to fund “green infrastructure”. The 2016 Final IUP lists 16 new “green infrastructure” construction projects. The exact monetary value of the green portion of these projects will be determined when project applications are submitted but are expected to be well in excess of 10% of the federal grant.

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DEP/SRF continued from page 39

(BG) - Base Capitalization Grant

(D) - Dropped by Applicant

(H) - Housing Choice Communities

(PF) - Affordability Criteria

(RE) - Potential Renewable Energy Projects

(SG) - BIL CWSRF General Supplemental Grant

# - Projects contains Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and/or meets EPA's definition of a Green Project (https://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/energy-and-emissions-epa)

Over $503 Million Offered for Drinking Water SRF in 2024

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is pleased to present the Final Calendar Year 2024 Intended Use Plan (IUP) which lists the projects, borrowers, grant recipients, and amounts that are being offered financing through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program. The DWSRF is a joint federal-state financing program that provides subsidized loans and grants to protect public health by improving water supply infrastructure systems and protect drinking water in the Commonwealth.

The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (Trust) is offering $ 503 million to finance drinking water projects across the Commonwealth. As noted in

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

CY2024 Intended Use Plan

NEW PROJECTS

DEP/SRF continued from page 43 continued on page 47

Table 1, approximately $340 million is being offered to finance 31 new construction projects, and approximately $113 million towards financing 19 previously approved multi-year projects. Additionally, $5 million is allocated to the emergency set-aside account, $25 million is set aside to finance new Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement projects, $10 million is set aside to fund an LSL planning grant program, and $10 million is set aside to finance other planning projects and PFAS design costs. To encourage communities and Public Water Suppliers to engage in planning activities, MassDEP is accepting planning loan applications on a rolling basis while funding is available.

NEW PROJECTS (cont.)

515NORWOOD (PF)#

513AQUARION WATER COMPANY OF MASSACHUSETTS – DOVER (EC)

512EVERETT (H)(PF)(LR)

444BONDSVILLE FIRE AND WATER DISTRICT (PF)#

433PINE VALLEY PLANTATION

431THREE RIVERS FIRE DISTRICT (PF)#

TOTAL OF NEW PROJECTS

(Count: 31)

*- Small System

(BG) - Base Capitalization Grant

(D)- Dropped by Applicant

(Average

*- Small System

- Base Capitalization Grant (D)- Dropped by Applicant (EC) - BIL DWSRF Emerging Contaminants Grant (H)-

16783Bellevue Water Tanks Replacement

16840Francis Street Treatment Facilities

16793Everett Lead Service Line Replacement Phase 4

16831Bondsville Water Storage Tank Replacement

16830Pine Valley Plantation Water System Replacement$6,014,514$6,014,514

16707Water Storage Tanks Mitigation and Restoration

(EC) - BIL DWSRF Emerging Contaminants Grant

(H)- Housing Choice Communities

(LR) - BIL DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement Grant

(PF) - Disadvantaged Community

(RE) - Potential Renewable Energy Projects

(SG) - BIL DWSRF Supplemental Grant

(Average Rating: 515.71)

# - Projects contains Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and/or meets EPA's definition of a Green Project (https://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/energy-and-emissions-epa)

DEP/SRF continued from page 48

Upcoming Projects

MWRA FY24–FY26 Upcoming Construction Awards

Upcoming Projects, continued

MWRA continued from page 51

MWRA continued from page 53

Deer Island Clarifier Rehabilitation- Phase 2

MWRA Ongoing Projects

Walsh Construction Company II

Northern Intermediate High – Section 89 & 29 Replacement: P. Gioioso & Sons, Inc.

Deer Island Clarifier Rehab

Deer Island

$289.4M

Walsh Construction Company

8% Complete

• Deer Island $289.4 Million

• 8% Complete

Stoneham, Winchester & Woburn

Northern Intermediate HighSection 89 & 29 Replacement: P. Gioioso & Sons, Inc.

$35.3M

60% Complete Extension Contractors, Inc.

Waltham

Section 101 Extension: Baltazar Contractors, Inc.

$32.7M

49% Complete

Rehab of Sections 23, 24, & 27: Albanese D&S, Inc.

• Newton & Boston $27.3 Million

Rehabilitation of Sections 23, 24 and 47

Albanese D&S, Inc.

Newton and Boston

$27.3M

90% Complete

• 90% Complete

MWRA continued from page 54

MWRA Ongoing Projects

Braintree-Weymouth Facility

Improvements:

Walsh Construction Company

Braintree-Weymouth Facility Improvements

Quincy $13.8 Million

Walsh Construction Company II

• 54% Complete

Wachusett Lower Gate House Pipe Replacement: J. F. White Contracting Co.

Wachusett Lower Gate House Pipe Replacement

J.F. White Contracting Co.

• Clinton $20.6 Million

• Work just beginning

• 13% Complete

Quincy $13.8M 54% Complete

WASM Low Service PRV

Improvements:

RJV Construction Corp.

WASM Low Service PRV Improvements:

RJV Construction Corp.

Boston & Medford $12.2 Million 91% Complete

2024

Top of Shaft 5 Interim Improvements:

Top of Shaft 5 Interim Improvements

R. Zoppo Corporation

R. Zoppo Corp.

• Weston $5.4 Million

• NTP Pending

Boston & Medford $12.2M 91% Complete

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We look forward to earning your continued trust and confidence.

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Boston Water & Sewer Commission Capital Improvement Program

2024-2026 Executive Summary

The Boston Water and Sewer Commission (“the Commission” or “BWSC”) is a body politic and corporate and political subdivision of the Commonwealth created by Chapter 436 of the Acts of 1977 (“Enabling Act”). The Enabling Act abolished the water and sewer divisions within the City of Boston Public Works Department and transferred the ownership, operation and control of the water, sewer and storm drain systems to the Commission. As a public instrumentality, the Commission performs an essential public function in providing water and sewer services to the residents of the City of Boston. The Act authorizes the Commission to construct and make improvements to the water and sewer systems, establish and collect rates and charges for its services and finance its operations and improvements through revenue collections and the sale of bonds and notes payable solely from the Commission’s revenues. The Act further provides that any revenue surplus earned by the Commission in any Fiscal Year shall be credited to the next year’s rates or returned to the City of Boston. Since its inception, the Commission has generated a surplus in each year of its operations and has credited the surplus to the reduction of the next year’s rates.

The Enabling Act and the Commission’s General Revenue Bond Resolution adopted December 6, 1984 (“the Resolution”) require the Commission, on an annual basis, to develop a threeyear Capital Improvement Program (“CIP”). Information generated by the Commission’s ongoing monitoring programs for the systems and from various engineering data files, together with information concerning the development needs of the City, is used to compile a list of pipes, conduits, transmission mains and other system components to be either renewed, replaced, relocated or added to the systems each year. The CIP outlines the schedule and implementation of the capital projects necessary to maintain and improve the water and sewer systems for the ensuing three-year period. Due to the pace of project implementation, the actual expenditures are currently expected to occur over a longer period of time. While there can be no assurance that projections for the projects included in the 2024-2026 CIP will not be exceeded, or that additional projects will not be required, the Commission believes the amounts set forth in the 2024-2026 Capital Improvement Program are reasonable for such projects.

The Commission in compliance with the requirements of the Enabling Act and the Resolution, project costs of the Com-

mission’s Capital Improvement Program from Fiscal Years 2024 through 2026 total approximately $318.0 million.

Since the Commission’s inception in 1977, the Commission has set forth its Capital Improvement Plan to provide for long-term capital improvements to its water distribution and sewer collection systems, governed by a core commitment to prudent fiscal management. Comprehensive and well-planned water distribution system maintenance and planning has sustained superior water service for our customers and resulted in a low incidence of system failures. The Commission has also led the industry in implementing effective water conservation measures, including dedication to deploying the most efficient technologies and practices enabling the Commission to maximize cost savings.

The Commission utilizes effective conservation measures through continued efforts to eliminate leaks across the system through advanced leak detection technology and proactive maintenance of the system’s water mains.

Discussion of Management Objectives and Accomplishments

The Commission was created to maintain and improve the long-term quality and reliability of water and sewer services for all users in the City and to assure adequate funding for operation and maintenance of the systems. For the purposes of this document, “Systems” include the water distribution system (including potable water and fire suppression facilities) and sewer system (including separate sanitary sewers, separate stormwater drains and combined sewers) and the related ap-

BWSC continued from page 57

purtenances and fixtures. The Commission is committed to four primary goals:

• To maintain and improve the water distribution and wastewater collection systems. The Commission is committed to various improvements to the Water Distribution and Sewer Systems, including following an aggressive renewal and replacement program, reducing unaccounted for water, encouraging conservation and improving the environment. The Commission is also committed to meeting and exceeding the requirements of all federal and state water and wastewater laws, regulations and technical standards.

• To establish and administer a billing and collections system that is fair and efficient. The Commission has worked to establish a rate structure that fully and fairly reflects its costs, properly distributes the financial obligation concerning its customer base and encourages water conservation. The metering, billing, and collection process is a central focus of the Commission’s full management team, and the Commission is committed to maintaining its strong record in that area.

• To maintain a strong financial structure. The Commission has consistently employed conservative financial projections and budgeting assumptions, maintained adequate reserves, and struck a reasonable balance between debt funding and rate funding of capital expenses.

• To sustain the effectiveness of investments/compliance of regulations. The Commission is committed to complying with all its regulatory obligations under federal and state laws, including the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”) and Clean Water Act (“CWA”) with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) permitting obligations for both its stormwater systems and combined sewer systems. Compliance obligations also extend to meeting and exceeding the goals and requirements of the Boston Harbor Decree and the Consent Decree executed in 2012 with the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) related to stormwater discharges.

In planning its CIP, the Commission balances the recognized need for ongoing renewal and replacement and preservation of its Systems with the desirability of specific improvements to accommodate development or redevelop-

continued on page 59

BWSC continued from page 58

ment plans for the city. Wherever feasible, capital improvements are scheduled in cooperation with the street rebuilding and reconstruction activities of the City’s Department of Public Works, the Boston Planning and Development Agency, and Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Objectives

The overall objectives of the Commission’s 20242026 CIP are to ensure the delivery of high-quality potable water for consumption and fire protection, as well as the efficient collection of sewage for transport and delivery to a treatment facility or for approved discharge. In addition, the CIP includes projects to improve overall efficiency of the Commission and to enhance the Commission’s ability to provide services to its customers.

The Stormwater category was created in 2017 that focuses on Stormwater management. The primary purpose of the Stormwater category in the 2024-2026 CIP is to participate in the Boston Harbor pollution abatement projects and implement green infrastructure to improve the water quality of discharges to the local receiving waters. The goal is also to study existing conditions and make recommendations for placement of best

management practices designed to promote improved water quality, ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, minimize flooding, and strategically manage Stormwater throughout the City of Boston.

CIP expenditures are divided into four categories: Water Distribution System projects, Sewer System projects, Support projects and Stormwater projects. Water Distribution System projects account for $99.3 million, or 31.3% of the 2024-2026 CIP. Sewer System projects comprise $118 million, or 37.1%, Support projects total $39.9 million, or 12.5% of the expenditures outlined in the program, and Stormwater projects account for $60.7 million, or 19.1% of the 2024- 2026 CIP.

Total capital expenditures of $124.2 million are outlined for 2024. Water Distribution projects comprise $42.7 million, or 34.4% of the 2024 CIP. Sewer System projects account for $44.5 million, or 35.8%; Support projects account for $16.6 million of the 2024 amount, or 13.4%; Stormwater projects totaling $20.4 million of the 2024 amount, or 16.4%.

Tables 1 and 2 represent the cash flow expenditures and funding sources for the Commission’s 2024-2026 CIP.

continued on page 61

BWSC continued from page 59

2024-2026 CIP Cash Flows Table

NOTE: Although expenditures decrease from periods 2024 to 2026, it is anticipated that funding for 2026 will be equal to or greater than funding presented in 2024. The decrease in 2026 is primarily due to the CIP being a one-year cash flow, over a three-year budget period.

CIP expenditures are funded by five funding sources: Bonds, Rate Revenue, the MWRA funded Local Water System Assistance Program (LWSAP), the MWRA funded I/I Local Financial Assistance Program (MWII), and the State Revolving Fund (SRF). In 2000 the MWRA instituted a new assistance program for the identification and removal of lead from water pipes. This program is called the Lead Service Line Replacement Loan Program (MWLLP). Costs for this program are associated under the MWRA Water Assistance program and SRF. Bonds funded projects account for $116.4 million of the 2024-2026 CIP, or 36.6%. Rate funded projects comprise of $111.8 million, or 35.2%; MWRA funded Water projects total $21.0 million of the expenditures outlined in the program, or 6.6%; MWRA funded Sewer projects account for $21.0 million of the 2024-2026 CIP, or 6.6%; and SRF funded projects account for $47.8, or 15.0% of the 2024-2026 CIP.

Total capital expenditures of $124.2 million are outlined for 2024. Bond funded projects comprise $58.0 million of the 2024 amount, or 46.6%; Rate funded projects account for $39.7 million of the 2024 amount, or 32.0%; MWRA Water projects account for $5.7 million of the 2024 amount, or 4.6%; I/I projects total $5.2 million of the 2024 amount, or 4.2%; and SRF account for $15.6 million of the 2024 amount, or 12.6%.

2024-2026 CIP Funding Sources

continued on page 62

NOTE: Although expenditures decrease from periods 2024 to 2026, it is anticipated that funding for 2026 will be equal to or greater than funding presented in 2024. The decrease in 2026 is primarily due to the CIP being a one-year cash flow, over a three-year budget period.

BWSC continued from page 61

Project Highlights

The Commission’s CIP includes projects to improve the overall efficiency and to enhance the Commission's ability to provide services to its customers. The projects included in this CIP are intended to accomplish these objectives in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. The Commission intends to enhance Boston’s water and sewer infrastructure with several targeted projects included in the 2024-2026 Capital Improvement Program. Some of the major projects are listed below:

• Fort Point Channel and Mystic/Chelsea Combined Sewer Overflow Control Projects

• Water Main Valve Replacement

• Rehabilitation of the New Boston Main Interceptor (NBMI)

• East Boston Sewer Separation

• South Boston Sewer Separation

• Roxbury Sewer Separation

• Dorchester Interceptor - Relief Sewer

• West Roxbury SSES

• City-wide Illegal Connections Investigations

• Upgrades to Union Park Pumping Station & Satellite Stations

• Charlestown SSES

• Charlestown Separation

• Construction of Daisy Field Green Infrastructure

• Coastal Stormwater Impact Analysis

• Projects affiliated with the Consent Decree; includes cleaning and televising 90 miles of sewer and drains

• Design of Stormwater Detention Facilities

• Implement Stormwater/Green Infrastructure Program designed to improve water quality, the environment and manage stormwater resources

• Improvements of Information Technology

• Citywide Renewal & Rehabilitation of Drains and Sewers

• Lead Sampling and Education Program for Schools and Childcare Facilities

NOTE: The full description and forecasted budgets of individual projects are available in the Sewer R & R, Sewer Separation, Sewer Special, and Stormwater sections of the complete 2023-2025 CIP at www.bwsc.org.

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An IntervIew wIth ChrIstIne ClAnCy DIreCtor of PublIC works town of ChelmsforD, mA

Will you please provide us some insight into your background, education, and history that led you into your current position?

I graduated from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell with a degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering in 2006. During college, I worked as an intern in Construction Management with William Berry and Son, Inc., which is now owned by Suffolk Construction. While I enjoyed the vertical construction projects, I wanted to obtain my Civil Engineering Professional License (PE) and pursue an opportunity to work on civil infrastructure projects. After graduation, I began working as a Staff Engineer for SEA Consultants, Inc. (SEA), which is now Kleinfelder. At Kleinfelder, I worked in the Civil Group, primarily on urban infrastructure projects in various municipalities such as Cambridge, Springfield, and Somerville. The experience I gained working on these urban infrastructure projects provided me with a technical understanding of various civil disciplines, including utility design, stormwater permitting and design, ADA compliance, roadway and sidewalk construction, traffic considerations, landscaping and tree maintenance, general construction contract procurement, cost estimating, and administrative implementation.

During my time at Kleinfelder, I obtained my Civil PE license and my Master’s Degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Northeastern University with a focus in Construction Management.

close to where I lived while affording me the opportunity to leverage my broad technical experience on various infrastructure projects in Lowell. Shortly after being hired for the position of City Engineer, I was appointed as interim DPW Commissioner. In 2020, I became the DPW Commissioner of Lowell.

In 2022, I was hired as the DPW Director for the Town of Chelmsford, which is also the Town where my family and I live. Contributing to my decision to make the transition to Chelmsford was the fact that I enjoyed the idea of working for the same community that I live in.

What other Industry Groups and Associations do you belong to?

I am currently a member of NEWEA and the Massachusetts Highway Association. I obtained my LEED AP Certification while at Kleinfelder. I have received training for manhole and pipeline inspections through the NASSCO’s certification program. I have also recently started pro -

In 2018, I applied for an open position as the City Engineer in Lowell because of the opportunity it presented to me to work directly for a municipality continued on page 66

Public Works Pipeline continued from page 65

curement training to become MCPPO certified.

Please give us a brief description of Chelmsford regarding the make-up of the DPW, population, and infrastructure statistics?

The Town of Chelmsford has a population of approximately 36,000 and a total land area of 22.5 square miles.

The Chelmsford DPW is comprised of several divisions including Sewer, Stormwater, Facilities/ Parks, Recycling/Waste Collection, Engineering, and Highway. The DPW oversees approximately 190 miles of roadway, 47 miles of sidewalk, 190 miles of sewer infrastructure, 41 pumping stations that flow to the Lowell Wastewater Treatment Plant, 100 miles of stormwater infrastructure, 325 culverts, 28 buildings (including schools), and 80 acres of parks and fields. The Chelmsford DPW has a busy and dedicated team of 68 employees to maintain all this infrastructure.

The drinking water infrastructure in Chelmsford services the entire town, but is owned and operated by three separate water districts that draw

water from about 20 gravel packed wells. Similarly, National Grid Electric and Gas occupy a substantial portion of Chelmsford roadways. DPW issues permits and coordinates work with these and other private companies throughout the year.

What do you currently see as the most pressing infrastructure needs for the Town in the next few years, and is there a 5-year Asset Management Plan in place to address those needs?

Chelmsford DPW has a 5-Year Capital Plan in place to upgrade and maintain horizontal infrastructure. However, those needs compete with the Town’s vertical infrastructure needs, particularly the town buildings and the public schools, which are all of similar vintage and in need of upgrades such as elevator, boiler, and roof replacements. Like many other communities, the Town of Chelmsford is struggling to fund these increasing combined infrastructure needs within available capital budgets and with limited funding opportunities.

The most pressing infrastructure need for the

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Public Works Pipeline continued from page 66

Town of Chelmsford is the Town’s sewer and stormwater systems. The Town became 100% sewered in the early 2000s through a process that began in the 1980s. In recent years, as the Town grew in population and with other commercial growth, the Town exceeded its sewer capacity. With an inability to expand the Town’s capacity through either the creation of an in-town treatment plant or expanded growth at the Lowell Wastewater Treatment Plant, the DPW implemented a moratorium on additional sewer connections and capacity.

In the Fall of 2022, the Town of Chelmsford replaced the moratorium with a policy that allows for incremental sewer capacity growth to allow for residential properties to add up to a few bedrooms, and a defined policy where commercial developers can purchase capacity as needed. The funds from the purchased sewer capacity will be used to remove infiltration and inflow from the Town’s sewer system. From the recent rainfall and high groundwater conditions, we have discovered a clear correlation between higher

rainfall and groundwater conditions and greater sewer flow readings. We are making a concerted effort to identify infiltration and inflow and correct it, which will allow for further commercial growth.

How does your municipality normally fund infrastructure projects? Does the Town utilize the SRF Loan Program through MassDEP for sewer and water infrastructure projects?

The Town actively seeks funding opportunities through federal and state grant or earmark opportunities. Although the Town has not utilized the SRF Program recently, the Chelmsford Water District has just accessed substantial SRF funding for treatment of PFAS. Chapter 90 funds are very important to support our roads and sidewalk assets. The Town also funds infrastructure needs through an annual capital budget. This coming year’s capital budget is the highest yet, at almost $6 million.

Does Chelmsford DPW have any projects coming out to bid in 2024 or 2025 that UCANE contractors would be interested in bidding?

The DPW recently awarded $3.3 million in roadway and sidewalk projects for 2024. There are two other sidewalk projects tentatively scheduled for bidding later this year, which includes constructing approximately one mile of new sidewalks on Parkerville Road and Turnpike Road. The Town is also currently designing the repair of bridges on School Street at Stony Brook and Middlesex Street at Stony Brook. These projects are tentatively planned for 2025 construction pending the availability of funding.

The Town has a 10-year sewer pump station improvement plan and is working on the design to rehabilitate the Kensington Pump Station. The project is anticipated to be bid this spring/summer 2024 with construction starting in the Fall. Additionally, the DPW Sewer Division is currently developing a project to line approximately 200 sewer manholes throughout Town to eliminate infiltration found at these structures. This project is expected to be bid this summer/fall 2024.

The Chelmsford Water District plans a large and multi-year project to add PFAS treatment at the WTP with design underway and bids to be solicited late in 2024. n

GOVERNMENT RELEASES CONSTRUCTION COST DATA

GOVERNMENT RELEASES CONSTRUCTION COST DATA

IMPACTS TO INDUSTRY OVER LAST 4 YEARS ANALYZED

IMPACTS TO INDUSTRY OVER LAST 4 YEARS ANALYZED

If Contractors across the U.S. thought that their costs have gone up dramatically in the past 4 years, THEY ARE CORRECT !!! and the Government agrees with them.

If Contractors across the U.S. thought that their costs have gone up dramatically in the past four years, THEY ARE CORRECT, and the Government agrees with them.

If your 2024 Construction Bids are up by 40%* over 2020 Bids, you have probably kept up with Inflation Pay Special Attention to steel products and petroleum based products like PVC pipe to make sure you are covered

If your 2024 construction bids are up by 40%* over 2020 Bids, you have probably kept up with inflation. Pay special attention to steel products and petroleum based products like PVC pipe to make sure you are covered.

Inputs to Construction Inputs to Multi-Family Construction Inputs

Source : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Structural Clay Tile

Concrete Products

Construction Machinery and Equipment

Construction Sand, gravel, and crushed stone

Copper Wire and Cable Crude Petroleum

* Cost Increases shown are averages across all states, not regionally adjusted

* Cost Increases shown are averages across all states, not regionally adjusted

UCANE’s Associate Members

Featured at 12 th Annual Trade Show

UCANE Contractors and guests descend on the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Norwood, MA to see the latest in equipment, technology, and business support offerings from 36 UCANE Associate Members.

On Monday, March 11, 2024, UCANE hosted its Annual Trade Show between 4:30PM and 6:30 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. Our Trade Show has become a much anticipated flagship event for the Association and its membership since its debut in 2012. This year representatives from 36 Associate Member companies arrived early at the hotel to set up their booths and creative displays highlighting what products or services each company provides to the construction industry.

The UCANE Board of Directors held their March Board Meeting at the hotel earlier in the afternoon, and as they exited the meeting at 4:30 they were greeted to a colorful display of the latest construction products and services hitting the market in 2024. Tables were stretched throughout the wide first floor corridors and behind every table were smiling faces waiting to introduce themselves to new potential cus-

tomers or, in most cases, to catch up with old friends and clients.

Our Trade Show has traditionally been held on the same day as UCANE’s Forecast Dinner Meeting, where some of the most prominent public agencies present their lists of construction projects that will be coming out to bid in the upcoming season. (See related story on Forecast Meeting beginning on page 32.) The combination Forecast Dinner Meeting/Trade Show is historically the most well attended of UCANE’s dinner meetings. This year’s event was true to course with over 325 UCANE members and friends attending the event.

Contractors and their guests also arrive early to see the Trade Show and to enjoy some small talk before the Dinner Meeting. Being successful business people, UCANE members all want to make sure they are up-to-date with the “latest and greatest” gadgets and equipment in the industry. The Trade Show gives them that opportunity. If they can do it while enjoying a few hors d’oeuvres and a cold drink, all the better!

continued on page 73

Trade Show continued from page 71

Tables at the Trade Show are made available at no cost to those members who advertise in our monthly publication, Construction Outlook magazine, as our way of thanking them for their ongoing support. Long recognized as the premier trade magazine in New England, not only for its content, but for its high quality presentation, Construction Outlook can be found on the desks of every UCANE member, every DPW Director in all 351 cities and towns across the state, as well as our State and Federal legislators. It can also be found on decision maker’s desks at dozens of State and Federal agencies that impact the horizontal construction industry.

Construction Outlook can also be viewed on UCANE’s website at www.ucane.com. In addition, our magazine ads are also on our website, with direct links to our advertisers websites, at no additional cost. There is no better, or more affordable way to promote your business and your products to the construction industry than through Construction Outlook magazine.

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Associate Members and Construction Outlook

Advertisers: UCANE extends its sincere thanks to all our Associate members and advertisers who have helped to strengthen our organization by their ongoing support!

Contractors: Please support our Associate members throughout the year whenever possible.

When making purchases for your next project, looking to renew a policy, or looking to lease, buy, or rent – please give our Associate Members a chance to earn your business.

UCANE is strengthened when members give other members an opportunity to bid! n

OSHA Expands Enforcement Options

A Commitment to Safe Worksites is Key to Attracting the Next Generation of Trades People

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration is our country’s primary enforcement arm to protect workers in private industry. It is always good to remind ourselves of its mission: “To ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.”

Primary enforcement is through workplace inspections that may result in monetary citations for violation of OSHA standards. On January 1 of each year, OSHA has the authority to increase its citation amounts. This is due to the passage in 2015, of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act in order to “advance the effectiveness of civil monetary penalties and to maintain their deterrent effect.” Under the Act, agencies are required to publish “catch-up” rules that adjust the level of civil monetary penalties and make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. This is how we arrived at current citation levels and what some consider the odd amount of each.

On January 26, 2023, there was a guidance memorandum issued on application of “Instance by Instance” penalties. Since 1990, OSHA would only apply IBI penalties for willful citations. Under this new policy, which became effective on March 27, 2023 the IBI policy will now apply to high-gravity serious violations, as well for the following hazards:

• Falls

• Machine guarding

• Respiratory protection

• Lockout tagout

• Permit required confined space

• Trenching

• Other-than-serious violations specific to recordkeeping

The hope is that increasing penalties will further deter companies from unsafe conditions and practices on the job.

An “Instance by Instance” violation is for egregious safety violations related to fatalities or catas-

continued on page 76

Nancy Hughes, President OHS Training & Consulting, Inc.

Safety Corner continued from page 75

trophes primarily aimed at “bad actors” (my words). However, the use of this penalty option remains somewhat subjective and discretionary. Regular violations are usually grouped under one citation and penalty. Now, if the standard allows and the new guidance is enforced, some violations will not be grouped but issued for each instance, e.g. three workers in a trench without proper trench support will constitute three violations versus one grouped violation. Instead of a grouped serious and willful citation at a penalty of $161,323, OSHA could implement the “Instance by Instance” method and that fine could become $483,969…. an (uninsurable) amount that would put most small and medium sized contractors out of business.

Contractors should also be aware of some “partners” in health and safety enforcement with OSHA and those enforcement agencies that they represent. I am talking about state and local law enforcement. There have been some interesting developments recently at the state and local level for deterring companies from allowing unsafe and unhealthy working conditions

I am referring to some recent indictments and prosecutions of company owners, executives, and other responsible parties for egregious workplace safety violations. Some examples:

• Vernon, CT: OSHA, Office of Inspector General, and Town of Vernon police investigated a trench collapse (8-feet deep) in a new subdivision that killed a worker in 2023. A year later, the company owner and equipment operator were arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter and first-degree reckless endangerment, both felonies.

• Breckenridge, CO: The former owner of a Vail site contractor was arrested in January 2023 for manslaughter by the local police. The arrest and indictment are based on the federal safety investigation (OSHA) of a fatal trench collapse at a residential location in November 2021. OSHA

referred the case to the District Attorney’s office recommending criminal charges for the company’s failure to use trench protection.

• Portland, ME: A federal judge ruled that the owner of a Maine roofing company was personally liable for the penalties of $1,572,340 issued to his corporation for numerous safety violations. “When employers refuse to comply with the law repeatedly and place their employees’ lives at risk by not ensuring the use of fall protection, the U.S. Department of Labor will hold them accountable by imposing individual liability if appropriate,” stated Regional Solicitor of Labor, Maia Fisher. The company owner was also indicted for manslaughter.

• Lynn, MA: A building remodeler based in Lynn, MA had his construction supervisor’s license

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Gorham

Chichester

Plaistow Portland

Shrewsbury

Plymouth Randolph

continued from page 76

taken away for two years based on evidence provided to the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards by OSHA and the Regional Solicitor, and his failure to pay multiple outstanding OSHA citations over several years.

None of the actions noted above will bring back the workers who lost their lives. It does demonstrate that owners and management will be held accountable for their negligent actions. No industry should sacrifice the health and safety of their workers to accomplish a task. Safety should not only be a priority but an ingrained value in our companies and workplaces. All businesses need to protect and preserve their employees - their most valuable asset.

As the construction industry seeks to find hundreds of thousands of new workers to satisfy demand, the primary source of labor will be from young workers seeking to start a career and from immigrants seeking to improve their standard of living. It is imperative to the industry that the construction trades be known as a safe place to work. Stories such as those above do little to convince workers of that message and will not improve the already difficult recruiting efforts to fill the construction labor shortfall.

The industry faces challenges to recruit the next generation of construction workers necessary to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure. It is critical that the industry provide a healthy and safe work environment during every work shift, continue to train the workforce, and continue to invest in safety programs and equipment. The costs to provide a “safety trained” workforce and a safe worksite needs to be the first item added to the project bid. Companies that fail to do so risk creating bad headlines and, in turn, discouraging new workers from choosing what can be a very personally rewarding, as well as lucrative career in the construction trades. n

• Pre-mark the location of intended excavation using white stakes, paint or flags.

• In MA, ME, NH and RI, notify Dig Safe® at least 72 hours in advance, not including weekends and holidays.

• In Vermont, notify Dig Safe® at least 48 hours in advance.

• Notify non-member facility owners.

• Maintain the marks placed by underground facility owners.

• Use caution and dig by hand when working within 18” of a marked facility.

• If a line is damaged, do not backfill. Notify the affected utility company immediately if the facility, its protective coating, or a tracer wire is damaged.

• Call 911 in the event of a gas leak, or if a damaged facility poses a risk to public safety.

• Know your state’s excavation requirements.

• Go to digsafe.com for educational material and current laws.

Christopher Clark World Insurance Associates, Inc.

Unlocking Opportunities: Could Captive Insurance be Right for You?

Exploring innovative solutions becomes imperative as utility contractors navigate the ever-evolving risk management landscape. One such solution that is gaining traction in the industry is captive insurance. Captive insurance offers a unique approach to risk management, allowing companies to take control of their insurance programs, tailor coverage to their specific needs, and potentially reap significant financial benefits.

Understanding Captive Insurance

Captive insurance is a proactive risk management strategy where members establish their own insurance company to underwrite the risks of their operating subsidiaries or affiliates. Unlike traditional insurance, where policies are purchased from thirdparty insurers, captives are wholly owned by the member entities, providing them with greater control and flexibility over their insurance arrangements.

Three Compelling Reasons to Consider Captive Insurance

• Tailored Coverage for Unique Risks: Contractors face many risks unique to their industry, ranging from equipment breakdowns and project delays, to liability claims and regulatory challenges. Captive insurance allows these companies to transfer certain risks among members of the group captive. The typical group captive will provide coverage for Auto, General Liability, and Workers Compensation.

• Cost Savings and Financial Control: Utility contractors can potentially reduce insurance costs and gain greater financial control by joining a group captive. Captives enable companies to retain underwriting profits, earn investment

income on premiums, and access alternative risk financing mechanisms such as reinsurance. Additionally, captives may offer tax advantages and the opportunity to recoup unused premiums, providing a valuable avenue for cost savings and capital preservation.

• Enhanced Risk Management and Long-Term Stability: Captive insurance fosters a culture of risk management excellence by incentivizing companies to implement robust loss prevention measures and proactive risk mitigation strategies. With a captive, utility contractors can proactively manage claims, implement tailored loss control programs, and foster a culture of safety and accountability, ultimately enhancing their long-term stability and resilience in the face of evolving risks.

As utility contractors confront an increasingly complex risk landscape, adopting innovative risk management solutions like captive insurance offers a strategic advantage. By leveraging captives' flexibility, control, and financial benefits, companies can safeguard their operations, optimize insurance coverage, and position themselves for longterm success. n

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