Mayor's Update to City Council May-8 2017

Mayors Update

May 8, 2017

Police Department: Congratulations to the Newburyport Police Department who earned its re-accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission.  This is a rigorous review process that reflects the highest professional standards.

Today, the Police Department received a beautiful stain glass window in honor of their service to the Newburyport Community.  The artist Ali Beauchamp created the work and the Newburyport Framers donated the framing from a 100 year old redwood tree that came down on their property.  Marcia Samuelson of Clipper Awards & Engraving donated the plaque.

Streetlights: We have worked for many years to move forward on the purchase of our streetlights from National Grid with the goal to change out high sodium/cobra lights to LED.  This excludes the decorative lamps downtown.  A pilot of these LED lights has been installed on Moseley Ave.  Based on feedback from residents and other communities, we have selected a warm, less-harsh white lighting.   FAQ’s are posted on the City Website developed by Molly Ettenborough, Recycling & Energy Manager in collaboration with our Energy Advisory Committee.   The total projected costs are $529,000 supported by funding from this past year’s Green Community Grant program with $250,000, a $120,000 grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning and a $60,000 incentive grant from National Grid.  The $98,000 gap has been closed through funding remaining in closed-out projects line items and Green Initiative reserves.  Estimated energy savings is projected at $70,000 per year.

DPS:

Hale St. water main replacement will begin this week, weather permitting and run through early July.  Notice is posted on the City website.  Once the project is completed, DPS will use fillable foam to fill the trenches from this work and the early sewer main project and then pave the remaining section of the road.

Chapter 90 State Roads & Sidewalks funding:  funds were finally signed off last week by the Governor.  This delay has made it difficult to compile a list of streets and sidewalks to be completed this construction season.  A few City Councilors have met with DPS to discuss their highest priorities and I encourage others to do so. 

Temple St.: sidewalks are well underway with drainage completed and final paving to follow - project completion late June/July.

Parker St.:  the sidewalk (train side) is under construction, drainage at 85% completion and will be completed by June 30th.  MA Works Grant funded this project

Additional roads/sidewalks will be identified next week

Drainage projects are moving forward with design:

Tilton St. 100% design and construction plans should be ready next week

Malcolm Hoyt: Design has just started

Noble St.  Design this summer with construction in the fall

Market Sq. Allied will perform drainage construction work early fall

Phillips Dr. persistent drainage and flooding issues were recently brought to our attention and further assessment of the status is underway; a neighborhood meeting was held on April 22nd and many residents discussed their specific property issues.  Our City Engineer will conduct a site walk next week and we are pulling together all information we have on this neighborhood (some limited information from a dated Malcolm Pirnie general study) and the residents are compiling specific information on their  complaints.  Given the depth of concerns and significant issues, I have requested that Habitat for Humanity put this project on hold until we have completed an assessment and action plan.

Stormwater: we submitted our NPDES MS4 Annual Report on May 1st and will need to submit a NOI to EPA and DEP within 90 days post July 1st in compliance with new permit regulations.

Graf Road Lift Station: sub bids opened May 4th $530,000 under previous sub bid opening; GC bids due May 18th.

Plum Island:

Air Vac System: Phase I of the alarm system is completed and operational alerting operators to a direct location rather than previous operational procedures that included hours of checking individual vents (candy canes) to locate malfunctions.

Hydrant Replacement:  The bid docs are out for replacement of all hydrants and many of the valves.  The estimated cost is $1.8M to be paid for by the PI settlement agreement.  Bids are due June 15th. 

WWTF:  I will be working with DPS to schedule another neighborhood meeting to provide updates from Environmental Partners on the status of the odor controls; hopefully we can schedule this meeting the first week in June.

Health & Sewer Departments: Frank Giacalone, Health Director, Patti McAlarney, Office Manager, and Jamie Tuccolo, Collection System Superintendent, collaborated on an educational presentation to all food establishments that are required to have grease traps and maintenance programs.  Three informational sessions were held with a 90% attendance.   This is a very serious issue that impacts the city’s infrastructure; Stantec will assist the city in monitoring compliance with FOG regulations.

City Buildings:  The Fire Station on Greenleaf has significant roof leaks which shorted out technology on two occasions during a storm last month.  Smaller leaks are also being addressed at the old DPS building and Public Library.  We are awaiting full assessment of the extent of needed repairs.

Schools: The closeout audit meeting of the Nock/Molin building project should be completed following a meeting Friday morning, 5/12 at the MA School Building Authority.  We are stilling awaiting word on the roof project for NHS.

Start School Later: The School Committee anticipates receiving a recommendation from ad hoc group on starting school later for NHS and possibly Middle school at our meeting on 5/15.  There is hopefully a vote that will occur that evening; I will keep the City Council apprised on the status of this issue.

Waterfront Trust: Two members of the NRA, Two members of the WFT, City (Mayor, Andy Port & Geordie Vining), Bill Harris and Carol Powers are meeting two days next week to begin building consensus on the changes to the Waterfront Trust documents.

Greater Newburyport Community Media Hub (Port Media): Held their ribbon cutting May 10th at their new office site on High St. next to the Senior Community Center.

Upcoming Events:

May 18th at 3:30 pm: ribbon cutting for the Richie Eaton field

May 20th 1 pm at Nock Middle School auditorium: Congressman Seth Moulton will hold a Town Hall forum