MMA voices support at environmental bond bill hearing

At a public hearing on Sept. 18, local officials and the MMA testified in support of a $911 million, five-year environmental bond bill that would provide significant funding for repair of the state’s aging water infrastructure.

The bill (H. 3332), filed by the governor, also includes $312 million for an accelerated clean energy program, $124 million for land preservation and parks, $121 million directed to the Department of Conservation and Recreation for its facilities and flood control efforts, and $57 million for the Water Pollution Abatement Trust.

Testifying before the House Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Natick Selectman Joshua Ostroff, president of the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association, and Worcester Environmental Services Director Phil Guerin spoke of the need for additional resources to repair decaying water systems.

Municipal officials also asked the committee if it was possible to include cities and towns in the $250 million Clean Energy Investment Program, created to retrofit 700 public buildings for maximum energy efficiency.

Local officials also spoke in favor of a proposed funding increase for the $20 million revolving trust fund used for the repair or removal of dams and the repair of seawalls.

Rep. Carolyn Dykema, who served as chair of the Water Infrastructure Finance Commission, also testified on her own bond bill (H. 690), which would authorize $2 billion in borrowing over the next 10 years.

Municipal officials asked the committee to incorporate H. 690 into the environmental bond bill.

Senate President Therese Murray has identified water system fixes as a top priority, though a bill has not yet emerged.