Partnership Hosts Forum for Director of the state's Clean Energy Center

As part of the Partnership's Institute on Local Issues, on Dec. 12th our Energy and Sustainable Development Committee held a regional briefing by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's CEO and Executive Director Alicia Barton McDevitt.   

The Clean Energy Center is dedicated to accelerating the success of clean energy technologies, companies and projects in the Commonwealth, while creating high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts, and works with companies and municipalities on these issues.  Ms. McDevitt discussed their ongoing initiatives on renewable energy rebates, workforce development, supporting renewable energy employers, and addressing clean energy infrastructure.  Beyond her presentation, she fielded questions from attendees on a wide range of clean energy issues confronting municipal government, developers, and the private sector. 

The Clean Energy Center's work is bearing fruit for the state economy:

• 74% of new clean energy jobs are new positions
• 26% are existing employees with new clean energy responsibilities
• Most companies are small businesses with 10 employees or less
• More firms are reporting clean energy revenues are increasing
• Clean energy growth outpacing the general Massachusetts economy by ten-fold

Her complete presentation is available for download here, and to learn more about the work of the Partnership's Energy and Sustainable Development Committee, email [email protected].

The Partnership’s Water Resources Committee met on December 5th to learn more about Littleton’s Smart Sewering Strategy, which is intended to enable cost-effective sewering to be achieved at a small-scale, such as the small town commercial centers common throughout the Partnership’s region. . 

This Engineering Concept Report was completed in coordination with the Littleton Common Sewer Feasibility Committee (LCSFC) and their consultant team of Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), Natural Systems Utilities, and economist Don Zizzi.  CRWA's Executive Director Bob Zimmerman and Littleton's Town Administrator Keith Bergman provided an overview of the project process. 

Municpal government's goals were to provide sewering to enable growth in the Village Common or Village Overlay District (VCD/VOD), to create affordable limited sewering that does not require funding via the wider community (user based), and to limit sewering to fit Littleton’s specific growth needs and character.  Funding for the Strategy was approved at Town Meeting and the LCSFC membership included representatives from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Planning Board, Light and Water Department along with several citizens. 

According to the presentation, Smart Sewers have economic benefits resulting from installation in response to demand vs. paying upfront for unused capacity, and environmental benefits such as water recharge.  Additional benefits include the potential for water reuse, as well as for energy generation from wastewater.  The report text and further background are available for download here; further information on Littleton's work is available for download here. 

The Partnership will continue to follow the application of this Strategy and its impact on economic growth in the Town of Littleton.  Similar studies are being considered in two additional Partnership communities, Wrentham and Sherborn, both of which had representatives at the Partnership’s Committee meeting.  

If you are interested in learning more about the Partnership’s Water Resources Committee or attending future meetings, please contact Jessica Strunkin at [email protected].

$2.5 Million Announced to Support Natick Soldier Systems Center: Lt. Governor Timothy Murray announced a $1.5 Million MassWorks grant and $1 Million in state capital funding for infrastructure improvements serving the Natick Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) as well as Route 27.  Special thanks to all involved in the effort, including the Lt. Governor and Adam Freudberg from his staff, MassDevelopment, MassDOT, MOBD, NSRDEC, and the Town of Natick, particularly Town Planner Patrick Reffett for preparing the MassWorks application.

MA Life Science Center’s Accelerator Loan Program: This program offers loans of up to $1Million to eligible life-science companies in their early stages, with a high potential for technology commercialization, rapid growth, and private equity financing.  More information on the program and eligibility requirements is online here and applications are due by Feb. 8th at noon.

MA Growth Capital Corporation’s High Growth Companies: This program is intended to serve high growth businesses with sales above $1Million by experienced, one-on-one consulting assistance, and access to flexible, customized financing, by providing a matching grant of up to $25,000 in consulting time. The management assistance is expected to be utilized in developing a sound growth strategy and presenting a financing request to the MA Growth Capital Corporation. More information is here.

Small Business Survey:  The state is asking for small business input on www.mass.gov/business; to take a five minute survey, go online here. 

Spotlighting The Point project in Littleton

At MassDevelopment's Economic Development Academy, Partnership Executive Director Paul Matthews moderated a panel on public-private collaboration and MassWorks funding for The Point in Littleton, with Town Administrator Keith Bergman and developer Sam Park (both seated). 

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Rob Nagi from Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin for his long and distinguished service as Private Sector CoChair

AS WELL AS DEPARTING DIRECTORS:

Larry Adams, Central MA Regional Planning Commission's Exec. Director

Jack Hathaway, Norfolk's Town Administrator

Joanne O'Leary, NSTAR

John Petrin, Ashland's Town Manager

 Rich Power, Cisco Systems

 Ann Stanesa, Genzyme

Bonnie Sullivan, MassDevelopment

Honoree Ed Carr, Administrator of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, accepting the 2012 Donald R. Wheeler Public Sector Leadership Award

The Partnership recently held an annual reception for new Board members, where we present our 2012 awards on behalf of the 495/MetroWest region.  

Christopher Egan from Carruth Capital presented our annual Richard J. Egan Private Sector Leadership Award to Ernie Herrman, President of The TJX Companies, Inc.  A longtime resident of Framingham, Mr. Herrman accepted the award on behalf of the entire company, pointing out that TJX’s commitment to the community starts with their Associates. He also thanked the many public officials who have worked with TJX for their collective efforts to make Massachusetts a great place for business and a great place to live. 

Barbara Wheeler presented the Donald R. Wheeler Public Sector Leadership Award to Ed Carr, Administrator of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority.  A Natick resident, Mr. Carr is a former state transportation official who helped found the MWRTA, as well as a former Selectman and lifelong community volunteer, especially for youth sports and veterans.  He offered his heartfelt thanks for the honor, and for everyone’s commitment to collaborative leadership, as the key to the Partnership’s success on behalf of the region.

At the event, the Partnership officers for 2013 were announced: Public Sector CoChair Glenn Trindade from Medway’s Board of Selectmen, Private Sector CoChair Scott Weiss from The Guttierez Company, Public Sector Vice Chair Joe Nolan from Wayland’s Board of Selectmen, Private Sector Vice Chair Kathleen Freeman from Northeast Utilities, Treasurer Marc Verreault from Carruth Capital, and Clerk Peter Martin from Bowditch and Dewey.  In addition, new Board members were installed: Mayor Arthur Vigeant from Marlborough, Steven Mitchell from Ashland’s Board of Selectmen, Glenn Jones from Franklin’s Town Council and Economic Development Committee, David Allain from NSTAR, Stephen Meunier from Genzyme; Don Bird from Cisco Systems, and  Kelly Arvidson from MassDevelopment.

Special thanks to The TJX Companies for hosting this event, to Chris Egan and Barbara Wheeler for presenting the awards, to Ernie Herrman and Ed Carr for accepting the honors, and to the new Board members for their leadership and commitment to the Partnership.

New MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott speaks from the podium, with (from right to left) Lt. Governor Tim Murray, State Senator Jamie Eldridge, MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey, and State Representative Jennifer Benson.

On December 20th, Lt. Governor Murray referred to the groundbreaking for the South Acton Commuter Rail Station as a reason to celebrate, highlighting the Administration’s, as well as both the state and federal delegation’s work with “local communities and regions to find solutions”.  Murray also noted the Administration’s commitment to transportation investments which benefit the entire Commonwealth. 

The funding for the South Acton Station is part of the Small Starts Program, which included funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Commonwealth totaling $169 Million.  However, there is a total of $287 Million being invested in the Fitchburg Line with a combination of funding sources including American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER), Small Starts, and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED).

Currently the South Acton Station consists of a platform and a parking lot, which is beyond capacity. The Fitchburg Line Project will add a second track, new high-level platforms on either side of the track, an enclosed overhead walkway over the tracks connecting the two platforms, a second passenger drop–off area, as well as other station amenities and shelter, with construction expected to be complete by mid-2014.

Newly appointed MBTA General Manager, Dr. Beverly Scott informed the guests that she would not be a stranger to riders outside of Boston and added that she will listen often.  Senator Eldridge and Representative Benson both alluded to the long but successful process for seeing these station improvements become a reality, with Senator Eldridge thanking his predecessor Senator Pam Resor for laying the groundwork.  

The Partnership has long been a member of the Fitchburg Line Working Group, which has advocated for and advised on the Project for many years.  Partnership staff also participated in advocacy efforts to secure additional ARRA funding for the Double Tracking of the Line, which allowed for additional station improvements in Littleton, which are close to completion.

For more information on the Fitchburg Line Improvement Project visit the MBTA’s project website.  We also encourage you to review the most recent presentation by the Project Team at HNTB from November 2012.

The Partnership has spoken out on behalf of our communities and employers through:

• Testifying in support of state funding for economic development initiatives;
• Submitting extensive commentary on the preliminary findings of the state's I-495 / Route 9 Interchange Improvement Project;
• Cosponsoring MassDevelopment's Economic Development Academy for municipal officials;
  
• Supporting the Community Innovation Challenge Grant application from the Partnership communities of Acton, Boxborough, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford as well as Cisco Systems, Clock Tower Place, and FIBA to receive funding to improve transit services;
• Working with the Town of Natick and the City of Marlborough on their applications for MassWorks funding;
• Participating in discussions with state officials and statewide organizations on the Commonwealth's Transportation finance situation;
• Supporting the Town of Medway’s Sustainable Water Management Initiative (SWMI) Grant application;
• Submitting a letter, per request of Milford Town Counsel, to the state's Department of Public Utilities regarding a petition of the Milford Water Company for approval of a General Rate Increase;
  
• Attending a MassDOT briefing for the town of Hopkinton's Board of Selectmen on the I-495/Route 9 Interchange Improvement Project

Thanks to our Bronze Investors:

Avidia Bank

Beals+Thomas

Building Initiatives LLC

Capaccio Environmental Engineering

Capital Group Properties

Clarke Distribution Corp.

Comcast Corp.

Community Newspaper Co.

Green International Affiliates, Inc.

GZA GeoEnvironmental

The Gutierrez Company

HNTB

J.M. Coull Inc.

Serlin Haley LLP

Kleinfelder / SEA Consultants

MA Bay Community College

Marlborough Hospital

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority

Milford Regional Medical Ctr.

Mirick O'Connell

National Development

Patridge Snow & Hahn, LLP

Richards Barry Joyce & Partners, LLC

Small Water Systems Services, LLC

St. Mary's Credit Union

Woodard & Curran

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

Verizon

Special Thanks to Our Platinum Investors:

Bose Corp.                    Bowditch & Dewey LLP

Carruth Capital LLC                               IBM

Special Thanks to Our Gold Investors:

Cisco Systems           Fidelity Investments

Day Pitney LLP                        Genzyme Corp.

EMC Corp.                                          NSTAR

Special Thanks to Our Silver Investors:

Alexander, Aronson, Finning, & Co. PC

Fallon Community Health Plan   

Framingham State University     

  Middlesex Savings Bank

NAIOP Massachusetts              Patriot Place

Sam Park & Co. Ltd.

Staples                                          Sunovion

   TJX Companies         TransAction Associates

495/MetroWest Partnership

Private Sector CoChair                               Scott Weiss, The Gutierrez Company

Public Sector CoChair                                 Glenn Trindade, Town of Medway

Private Sector ViceChair                            Kathleen Freeman, Northeast Utilities

Public Sector ViceChair                             Joseph Nolan, Town of Wayland

Treasurer                                                       Marc Verreault, Carruth Capital

Clerk                                                                Peter Martin, Bowditch & Dewey

Paul Matthews, Executive Director

Jessica Strunkin, Deputy Director for Public Policy and Public Affairs