Sludge Watch ==> Somerville officials protest sludge catch basin - Mystic River

[Maureen Reilly]

Somerville officials protest catch basin sludge at city’s doorstep
Friday, October 27, 2006 - Updated: 12:09 PM EST

State Senator Jarrett Barrios, State Senator Patrica Jehlen and Somerville 
Mayor Joe Curtatone, sent a letter to the Executive Director of the Boston 
Water and Sewer Commission regarding plans to relocate, from Dorchester to 
Charlestown, a facility that handles catch basin sludge collected by the 
City of Boston.

    The letter highlights that the neighborhood of Charlestown, as well as 
the cities of Somerville and Everett had not been notified of this proposal. 
The officials requested that the BWSC hold a public meeting in Charlestown 
to hear of the BWSC’s plans and to allow residents of all three cities to 
voice their opinions and concerns.

    “I have been working closely with the Boston Redevelopment Authority to 
improve traffic flow in Sullivan Square, and separately, with the Mystic 
River Watershed Association to clean up the Mystic River,” said Barrios in a 
press release . “The relocation of this facility near Sullivan Square and 
the River would seriously jeopardize these efforts by increasing pollution 
and significantly increasing traffic.”

    “East Somerville residents — who already experience real air pollution 
and traffic congestion trouble — will feel the impacts of this site 
relocation just like their Boston neighbors,” said Mayor Curtatone.“I have 
real concerns about any facility that has potential to compromise our 
efforts to improve the health and cleanliness of the Mystic River. I do hope 
that BWSC considers the impacts this site relocation is going to have on our 
city, and acts appropriately.”

    The BWSC estimates the facility will handle 130 tons per day of 
different materials including catch basin cleanings, sewer cleanings and 
trench excavate from Boston construction projects.

    The proposed site would use an estimated four acres of land and would be 
over 30,000 square feet in size.It is projected that trucks would make 62 
one-way trips to the facility every day which would increase traffic for 
residents of Charlestown, Somerville and Everett, Barrios’ office said.


    
http://www2.townonline.com/somerville/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=604789&format=text