►
Description
Docket #0434 - Message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Christopher Cook as a member of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, for a term expiring March 30, 2026
A
Calling
this
hearing
to
order
for
the
record,
my
name
is
kenzie
bock,
I'm
the
chair
of
the
boston
city
council's
committee
on
city
services
and
innovation
technology.
This
hearing
today
is
being
recorded
and
live
streamed
at
boston.gov
city
dash,
council
dash
tv
and
broadcast
on
xfinity
channel
8,
rcn
channel
82
and
fios
channel
964.
A
we'll
be
taking
public
testimony
at
the
end
of
this
hearing.
So
if
you're
interested
in
testifying,
please
email,
ron.cob,
boston.gov,
that's
ron.co
boston.gov
for
the
link
and
please
make
sure
that
your
username,
if
you're
joining
us
on
zoom
is
your
first
name
and
last
name.
You
can
also
come
and
sign
up,
there's
a
sign
up
sheet
in
the
corner
here.
So
if
you're
here
in
the
chamber
feel
free
to
sign
up
to
comment
in
person
and
then
please
state
your
name
and
affiliation
or
residence
and
limit
your
comments
just
a
couple
minutes.
A
Boston.Gov,
that's
the
committee
email,
so
ccc.csit
boston.gov
and
I
I'll
just
say
if
you're
watching
this
after
the
fact
I'm
I
am
planning
to
make
a
recommendation
on
this
docket
by
next
wednesday,
the
27th
council
meeting.
So
if
you
have
a
chance
to
send
any
comments
prior
to
that,
that'd
be
great.
A
and
we're
joined
here
today
by
henry
vitale
who's,
the
executive
director,
treasurer
of
the
boston,
water
and
sewer
commission,
and
and
also
by
mr
cook
himself,
who
is
better
known
to
all
of
us
as
previously
having
been
the
city's
chief
of
I'm
gonna,
get
the
title
wrong
energy
environment
and
open
space.
It's
perfect
great!
That's
great!
Okay,
so
served
us
well
in
prior
administration
and
is
now
working
at
the
greenway.
But
I
will
let
henry
introduce
him
more
properly
and
give
some
opening
remarks.
B
B
B
B
We
appreciate
all
your
involvement
over
the
last
few
years
with
us,
because
you've
been
a
appreciate.
You've
been
a
great
supporter
of
the
organization
anytime.
We
called
you
your
office
you've
been
so
supportive
of
the
bus,
one
two
commission,
and
certainly
we
know
that
councils
that
are
effective
because
they're
calling
all
the
time
you
always
call
and
you're
always
doing
whatever
you
can
for
your
constituents.
So
we
appreciate
your
public
service
to
the
city
of
boston
and
being
a
partner
with
you,
as
we
provide
water
and
the
treatment
of
water
to
everybody.
B
A
Yes
and
thank
you
yeah,
no,
I
mean
literally
the
water
and
sewer
commission
has
custody
of
the
guts
of
the
city
as
it
were,
and
we
all
know
what
happens
when
your
guts
get
out
of
order.
It's
not
pretty
so
it's
I
mean
it's,
it's
the
most
fundamental
thing.
We
talk
about
city
services,
you
can't
get
through
much
of
a
day
without
water
and
people
rely
on
it
and
they
rely
on
it
just
as
much
now
as
they
did.
When
cities
first
started
providing
water.
A
C
C
With
my
background,
which,
as
you
mentioned,
I
was
the
chief
environment,
energy
and
open
space,
and
fundamentally
I
do
believe
that
climate
change
is
about
people
and,
I
think,
there's
enormous
opportunities
to
support
the
sewer
commission
and
their
efforts
of
not
only
preparing
for
climate
change,
but
also
mitigating
the
effects
of
climate
change
that
we
can
avoid
so
incredibly
grateful
and
ready
to
get
to
work
if
it
meets
with
your
approval.
And
so
thank
you
very
much.
I
happen
to
answer
any
questions.
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much
chris
henry.
Can
you
just
run
through
for
folks
a
little
bit
just
so
that
anybody
watching
at
home
understands
so
this?
You
know
the
water
and
sewer
commission
was
created
by
an
enabling
act,
which
means
you're
your
own
sort
of
quasi-independent
thing
you're,
not
just
like
a
city
department,
but
the
mayor
obviously
does
have
appointment
of
these
commissioners.
B
There's
three
board
members,
so
yes
you're,
absolutely
right!
It's
a
separate
agency!
It's
a
political
subdivision
of
the
commonwealth
of
massachusetts
and
it's
over
seen
by
a
three-member
board
of
commissioners
appointed
by
mayor
wu
and
subject
to
approval
by
the
city
council
and
the
board
members
oversee
the
operation
of
the
agency.
B
B
Yes,
we
can,
commissioner,
kathy
douglas.
Stone,
has
been
a
commissioner
since
1994
she
retired
in
january,
so
chris
cook
would
be
taking
her
position
on
the
board
and
our
other
two
board.
Members
is
michael
woodall
he's
the
chair
he's
also
the
chief
operating
officer
for
putnam
investments
and
the
other
commissioner,
is
tom
keady,
and
he
is
in
charge
of
communica
community
relations
and
communications
for
boston,
college
and
they're.
B
B
B
Boston
does
business
in
the
city
of
boston,
so
the
mass
water
resource
authority
is
the
wholesaler
the
boss
of
one
sewer
commission
is
the
retailer
and
at
the
mwra
they
have
11
board
members,
three
appointed
by
the
governor
three
appointed
by
mayor
wu,
and
then
you
have
an
appointee
from
the
town
of
winter
because
of
the
treatment
plant.
You
have
an
appointee
from
the
town
of
quincy
because
of
the
pelletization
plant
and
then
there's
an
advisory
board
somewhat
like
a
watchdog
of
the
of
the
mwre.
B
They
elect
three
advisory
board
members
and
that's
the
make
up
of
that
board.
So
chris
and
myself
represent
the
city
of
boston
on
on
the
mwra
board
of
directors,
and
we
work
very
closely
with
the
mwy
race.
So
that's
why
this
was
a
a
tremendous
appointment
by
mayor
wu.
I
think
she
was
right
on
as
far
as
nominating
chris,
because
the
mwra
and
the
boston
one
tool
commission
work
closely
together.
B
B
The
mass
water
resource
authority
has
approximately
60
customers,
60
cities
and
towns
for
every
dollar
that
they
spend
the
boston
wine
tour
commission
is
responsible
for
33
cents,
so
we're
by
far
their
largest
customer
and
it's
critical
that
we
work
closely
with
the
mwra
so
again,
mayor,
wu,
very
creative
and
and
always
trying
to
do
the
right
thing
works
out
well
and
then,
particularly
that
chris
has
come
from
an
environmental
background,
and
that
has
a
lot
to
do
with
what
both
agencies
are
involved.
With
like
last
year,
we
we
issued
green
bonds.
B
We
needed
money
for
to
support
our
capital
budget.
We
issued
green
bonds,
the
mwa
ra
who's
in
the
market,
much
more
than
the
boston
sewer
commission
they're,
the
largest
holder
of
green
bonds
in
new
england
and
and
they're
in
the
top
five
in
the
country.
So
again,
we're
focused
on
being
environmental
stewards
and
doing
everything
we
can
to
protect
the
environment.
A
There
is
just
really
different
in
philadelphia.
The
water
department
owns
a
huge
number
of
green
installations.
It
owns
rain
gardens,
it
owns
urban
wilds.
It
like
it
has
a
very
large
tree,
like
you
know,
set
of
trees
that
it's
responsible
for
etc,
and
you
know-
and
some
of
that
is
some
of
this-
just
happened
substantial
in
as
much
as
like
you
know,
who's
in
charge
of
trees
on
a
different
piece
of
land.
A
A
That's
happened
around
the
charles
and
the
esplanade.
There's
just
like
there's
a
ton
of
you
know.
Everything
old
is
new
again,
there's
a
ton
of
like
things
with
1800
numbers
on
them
that
are
sort
of
like
precursors
of
this
work
in
my
district.
But
I
just
I
find
myself
thinking
a
lot
about
that
as
sort
of
a
frontier
that
feels
like
the
the
boston,
water
and
sewer
commission
needs
to
push
towards
more
aggressively.
A
And
so
I'd
love
to
hear
from
you
henry
a
little
bit
about
how
you
how
you're
thinking
about
that
as
an
ede
and
then
to
sort
of
like
hear
a
little
bit
from
chris
about
about
that
priority,
set
and
kind
of
how.
How
you'll
bring
that
past
experience
to
kind
of
leading
the
the
water
and
sewer
commission
in
that
direction.
B
Well,
it's
a
it's
a
major
initiative
of
mayor
wu
and
certainly
we
follow
her
her
leadership
and
it's
one
of
our
major
goals,
for
example,
every
capital
project
that
is
designed
and
ultimately
constructed
factors
in
green
infrastructure.
How?
What
can
we
do
for
the
environment
as
it
relates
to
this
project?
So
it's
it's
a
major
component
of
the
process.
B
We
also,
I
think,
you're,
aware
of
this.
Over
the
last
couple
years,
we
partnered
with
the
boston
public
schools,
and
we
were
involved
with
five
pilot
programs
where
the
boston
war
and
sewer
commission
supported
the
the
monies
in
in
involved
in
the
construction
of
green
infrastructure.
At
the
five
at
five
schools
in
the
city
that
were
under
construction
and
then
as
we
right
now,
would
we
we
have
an
inundation
study,
that's
online
and
where
it
shows
areas
if
we
would
have
a
30-year
storm.
B
What
impact
does
that
have
on
the
boston,
warren
tour
commission
so
obviously
on
the
city
of
boston,
so
sea
level
rise
is
definitely
an
issue.
Flooding
we're
evaluating
areas
in
the
city
where
we
can
retain
water
and
and
working
on
that,
and
we
have
identified
areas
that
if
we
would
have
major
storms
this
these
areas
would
be
able
to
retain
the
water
and
prevent
flooding
in
those
two
neighborhoods
in.
In
addition,
we
are
evaluating
right
now,
a
storm
water
fee
that
that's
something
that
we've
been
looking
at.
B
So
we
are
looking
at
that
and
then
I
think
they're
aware
that
we're
under
a
consent
decree
where
we've
increased
all
the
activities,
it
relates
to
storm
water,
cleaning,
the
catch
basins
disconnecting
downspouts
combined,
sewer
overflows.
We
monitor
that
very
carefully
we're
separating
pipes.
We
have
combined
water
and
sewer
pipes.
So
what
we've
excuse
me
combined
sewer
and
storm
drains
and
we're
trying
to
separate
a
lot
of
those
those
pipes?
C
C
So
I'm
looking
forward
to
getting
as
much
technical
information
as
possible
and
working
with
the
council
and
working
with
marawu's
leadership,
because
this
is
a
priority
of
hers.
The
one
thing
I
will
say
is
that
I
do
think
there's
a
huge
opportunity
to
affect
change
for
socially
vulnerable
populations.
C
A
C
It's
incredibly
kind
of
you
to
mention
that
and
that's
a
perfect
example
of
so
much
of
the
planning
we
did.
There
was
actually
awesome
water
and
sewers
planning
and
I'm
not
taking
anything
away
from
all
the
good
people
at
the
former
department
that
I
was
honored
to
run,
but
it
really
all
this
modeling
and
then
the
work,
the
actual
work
of
the
pipes
or
the
works
of
the
of
the
rain
garden
and
how
it's
all
going
to
work.
It
does
fall.
It
falls
to
only
one
agency
and
that's
the
water
agency.
A
It
does
seem
to
me
like
there
are
places
where
we're
still
defaulting
towards
grey
infrastructure,
and
I
say
that
recognizing
that,
like
you
know
you
guys,
everybody
only
pays
attention
to
water
and
sewer
when
things
are
broken.
So
the
idea
that
institutionally,
you
would
be
focused
on
minimizing
things
that
break
makes
a
ton
of
sense
to
me,
but
as
we're
kind
of
really
thinking
about
these
groundwater
stormwater
management.
You
know
these
like
to
me.
It
just
seems
like
at
some
point.
A
We
have
to
start
having
the
workforce
in
place
to
maintain
these
green
installations,
such
that
we
you
know
and
then,
when
they're
on
private
land,
to
sort
of
check
in
on
the
maintenance,
because
I
don't
think
we
need
to
be
taking
on
everything
from
folks.
You
know
who
have
it
privately
but
make
sure
that
they're
doing
it
to
standard
like
we've
got
to
make.
A
That
shift,
and
that
was
kind
of
what
I
saw
in
philadelphia,
was
just
the
recognition
that
they
needed
a
whole
kind
of
tranche
of
employees
a
whole
vertical
in
the
system
that
was
going
to
basically
handle
the
maintenance
of
green
storm
water
infrastructure
and,
and
so
I'm
trying
to
sort
of
think
about
what
our
journey
is
towards
towards
that.
As
we
think
about
doing
a
lot
more.
Like
green
stormwater
capital
work.
B
So
you're
absolutely
right:
it
is
a
concern
about
okay,
you
set
up
the
green
infrastructure,
rain
garden,
let's
say
and
who's
going
to
maintain
it,
and
there
are
costs
involved
with
that.
So
with
the
public
schools,
we
we
had
a
memorandum
of
understanding
and
we
were
responsible
for
the
next
three
years
of
maintenance.
B
We
were
involved
with
the
days
central
square
in
east
boston,
setting
up
green
infrastructure
there
and
and
we'd
be
responsible
for
the
first
couple
years
of
maintenance.
But
after
that
we're
trying
to
work
things
out,
because
somebody
has
to
be
in
charge
of
maintaining
the
green
infrastructure.
That's
installed.
A
Right-
and
I
guess
I
just
think
that-
and
we're
not
going
to
get
there
with
a
library
of
100
different
maintenance
agreements
on
every,
like
you
know,
kind
of
one-off
thing
like
when
we
think
about
doing
this
to
scale.
We've
got
to
figure
out
how
we're
doing
it
to
scale
right
in
terms
of
the
maintenance
as
well.
A
I
assume,
like
many
of
our
agencies,
that
you
see
retirements
and
sort
of
you
know
you've
got
you
may
have
some
vacancy
challenges
ahead,
etc
and
then
we're
all
very
interested
in
getting.
You
know
our
young
people
in
boston
employed
and
then
also,
of
course,
like
that
kind
of
retirement
attrition
offers
an
opportunity
to
ask
what
are
the
competencies
that
we
need
and
are
there
if
we're
shifting
types
of
infrastructure?
Are
we
also
shifting
some
of
the
competencies
like
what
what's
the?
Where
are
you
guys
on
that
kind
of
conversation.
B
Well,
well,
certainly,
we
we
are
involved
with
retirements
and
we're
we're
in
the
process
of
finalizing
our
success
and
planning
and
things
change
and-
and
we
are
trying
to
consider
those
changes
and
shift
people
around
and
obviously
adding
dues
and
responsibilities
to
various
departments.
But
I
do
have
to
say
that
with
green
infrastructure,
there
has
been
no
decision
on
any
long-term
gatekeeper
of
the
maintenance.
So
if
we're
involved
with
green
infrastructure,
we
we
partner
with
the
with
obviously
the
organization
we're
dealing
with
we'll
take
it
over
for
the
first
two
or
three
years.
B
A
B
A
The
thing
I
would
say
is
that
it
feels
like
if
you're
you
know,
if
you're
contemplating
introducing
the
idea
of
a
stormwater
fee,
that
tying
that
pretty
intensely
to
growing
new
capacities
to
actually
you
know
take
on
for
the
long-term
green
infrastructure,
as
opposed
to
just.
We
don't
want
to
take
responsibility
for
that
new
stuff.
We
just
want
more
money
for
the
stuff
that
we're
doing
right
now
I
mean
to
me
it
just
feels
like
that's
got
to
be
a
piece
of
the
like
business.
A
You
know
case
that
we're
evaluating
and-
and
I
will
say
like
I
do
hope
that
I
know
that
it's
not
like.
I
don't
think
you
guys
are
looped
in
for
the
initial
set
of
of
this
green
jobs
program
that
we're
doing
this
summer.
But
what
was
great
to
see
in
philadelphia
was
how
they
had
managed
to
really
train
up
local
young
folks
in
exactly
the
skills
that
they
needed
to
actually
maintain
grain
stormwater
infrastructure
and,
as
a
result
like
this
tranche
of
the
water
department.
A
That
manages
that
stuff
is,
at
this
point,
like
two-thirds
power,
core
grads,
but
it's
not
because
of
sort
of
like
it's
not
just
because
it's
like
some
kind
of
like
prioritization
of
them,
because
they're,
nice,
kids
or
whatever
it's
like
they're,
the
ones
who
actually
know
how
to
maintain
a
rain
garden
and
nobody
else
sort
of
like
around
has
that
expertise.
And
so
I
am
interested
in
how
we
could
you
know.
A
If
I'm
not
I'm
not
asking
the
agency
to
just
be
able
to
do
more
with
less
right.
I
think
it's
a
fair
point
of,
like
you've
got
to
have
the
resources
to
do
whatever
it
is
that
that
we're
pursuing,
but
it
does
feel
like
some
kind
of
alignment
where
the
city
is
helping
to
train
a
diverse
workforce.
That
also
can
meet
some
of
your
guys's
needs
and
your
you
know
having
and
maybe
there's
a
stormwater
fee
and
that's
helping
to
pay
for
staffing
up
and
some
competencies
that
the
water
and
sewer
commission
doesn't
have
today.
B
No,
no,
it
makes
sense
as
it
relates
to
storm
water
again.
The
expenses
relating
to
storm
water
right
now
is
being
paid
through
the
sewer
charge
or
the
wastewater
charge.
So
again,
our
enabling
act
says
that
we
have
to
be
fair
and
equitable
on
how
we
charge
our
water
and
sewer
rates
to
the
ratepayers.
B
So
it's
not
fair
that
you
do
have
customers
or
residents
that
have
impervious
properties
and
contributing
to
the
problem
with
storm
water.
So
they
need
to
be
at
least
partake
in
some
of
this
cost,
and
we've
calculated
right
now.
There's
about
8
000
customers
in
the
city
of
boston
that
contribute
to
the
stormwater
problem,
or
at
least
contribute
to
the
cost
to
manage
stormwater
and,
as
a
result,
they
need
to
be
charged
some
of
these
expenses
and
the
impact
would
be
a
reduction
in
the
sewer
charge
on
other
rate
payers
and
you're.
B
A
It's
the
way
this
thing
is
going
like.
I
don't
think
if
it
were,
if
again,
if
greenstorm
stormwater
infrastructure
was
just
going
to
be
some
little
like
one
off
or
on
the
edges
thing
that
we
did
occasionally,
then
we
could,
just
you
know,
find
the
friends
group
to
manage
it
whatever,
but
I
just
think
that
it's
gonna
become
it's.
Gonna
have
to
become
more
and
more
of
the
infrastructure
profile,
and
then
you
know
it
doesn't.
A
It
doesn't
frankly
make
sense
for
us
to
stand
up.
Another
city
department
to
you
know
be
the
custodian
of
these
things
because
of
the
degree
of
expertise
that
you
guys
have
in
thinking
about
how
the
whole
system
connects
right.
So
I'd
rather
resource
your
department
appropriately
to
handle
that
in
a
united
way,
then
create
some
other
shadow
because
custodian
who
happens
to
own
anything
that
has
grass
in
it
right,
you
know
and
the
8
000
customers.
So
when
you
say,
contribute
like
how.
How
are
you
guys
thinking
about?
A
I
mean
presumably
you're
thinking
about
places
that
have
a
lot
of
impermeable
pavement.
But
what
if
I
have
a
house
that
fills
my
lot
like
in
my
district
right,
you've
got
tons
of
party
wall
like
houses
that
you
know
so
in
that
sense,
everything
about
the
law
is
impermeable,
but
how
does
how
do
you
guys
think
about
it?
Yeah.
B
C
A
B
A
B
I
mean
obviously
client
climate
change.
That's
a
big
initiative
of
the
boston
supercommission.
We
have
about
40
million
dollars
worth
of
capital
work
that
we're
hoping
to
get
to
finish
this
year,
some
of
its
new
work,
some
of
its
work,
that's
carried
over
from
last
year
and
we're
also
again,
you
know
with
ensuring
that
we
comply
with
the
consent
decree
that
we
have.
We
get
this
new
lead
and
copper
rule
that
right
now
was
being
finalized
at
the
federal
level.
B
B
B
How
many
do
you
remove
every
year,
because,
right
now
we
have
a
very
aggressive
lead
replacement
program
where
we're
trying
to
remove
the
entire
lead
in
the
system
of
the
city
of
boston.
We
have
approximately
4
000
ledge
service
pipes,
that's
going
from
the
the
commission's
water
main
and
then
the
pipe
that
goes
from
the
water
main
into
the
person's
house,
so
we're
looking
to
ensure
that
all
of
that
is
removed,
and
we
have
about
four
thousand
four
4000
connections
like
that,
and
we
want
to
replace
that,
obviously
with
copper
pipe.
B
So
that's
that's
another
major
objective,
we're
trying
to
we
ensure
that
we
have
no
lead
service
pipes
in
the
public
way.
We
have
some
areas
in
the
city
that
are
unknown
and
we're
investigating
that
and
then
we,
like,
I
said
we
had
calculated
that
there's
still
about
four
thousand:
what
service
pipes
in
in
the
city
of
boston?
So
that's
a
major
initiative
to
remove
that
also
the
maintaining
of
the
fire
hydrants
very
important
public
protection,
clean
water.
You
know
managing
storm
water,
I
mean
we're
involved
with.
B
We
are
involved
with
a
lot
as
far
as
you
know,
doing
what
we
can
again.
Our
primary
core
business
is
providing
clean
water
and
the
treatment
of
the
water
fire
protection,
environmental
stewards
and
making
sure
or
ensuring
that
everybody's
billed
fairly
in
the
city
of
boston,
and
we
do
work
with
with
our
customers
if
they
have
a
hard
time
paying
their
bills
we're
we.
We
understand
that
there
are
many
rate
pays
in
the
city
of
boston
with
paycheck
to
paycheck,
and
we
work
with
them
on
their
water
and
sewer
bill.
B
Now
getting
back
to
the
lead
replacement
program,
a
typical
replacement
runs
about
four
to
six
thousand
dollars
the
bus.
One
two
commission
offers
a
grant
of
four
thousand
dollars
a
grant
that
the
rate
pay
does
not
have
to
pay
back
and
then,
whatever
the
difference
is
anything
over
the
four
thousand.
We
allow
the
rate
payer
to
pay
the
boston
warrant,
tour
commission
interest-free
over
60
months.
B
B
B
Yes,
but
when
someone
asks
me
that
question
we
try
to
say
as
soon
as
possible
and-
and
just
so
you
know
the
4
000
customers
are
aware
that
they
have
a
lead
service
pipe
going
into
their
home.
Some
of
the
rate
pays,
don't
want
to
incur
the
cost
or
they
just
don't
want
to
be
bothered,
because
a
remedy
of
not
replacing
the
the
wet
surface
replacement
is
to
essentially
run
the
water
between
30
seconds
and
in
two
minutes.
B
Typically,
it
is
once
when
the
water
is
cold
and
then
you
fly,
you
find
you
flush
out
everything,
so
you
wouldn't
be
in,
but
again
the
commission's
goal
is
irregardless
of
that
we
want
to
replace
all
all
the
lead.
That's
in
the
system,
it's
very
important
and
then
the
commission
right
now
is
is
monitoring
at
the
federal
level.
A
B
Another
thing
we
do,
and
then
this
is
as
an
example
I
can
go
on
and
on.
I
don't
want
to
belabor
the
meeting,
but
so,
if,
let's
say
you're
constructing
a
building
and
it's
it's
going
to
be
increased
the
value
of
the
building
more
than
50
percent,
we
require
the
developer
to
to
construct
an
inundation
basin
where
an
inch
of
water
is
retained.
We
do
that
with
everybody
again,
climate
change,
flooding.
B
A
Great
and
I
have
a
very
well
chris-
I'm
going
to
come
back
to
you
in
a
second,
I
have
a
question
just
so
you
can
think
about
it,
which
is
sort
of
like,
if
you
can
just
tell
us
from
since
your
most
analogous
service
here
is
on
the
mwra
board.
Just
like
what
has
been
you
know,
most
interesting
or
fulfilling
about
that
work
or
kind
of
you
know
what
you
think
you're
bringing
from
that
work
into
this
just
since
they
are
such
connected
agencies.
But
what
do
you
think
about
that?
A
My
question
henry,
which
is
an
extremely
district
council
question
it
feels
like
I
just
have
these
like
ancient
water
mains,
on
beacon,
hill
and
every
time
someone
is
doing
construction.
I
just
know
in
my
mind,
I'm
like
it's
only
a
matter
of
time
and
then,
and
so
just
over
my
relatively
brief
time
as
a
counselor,
there
have
been
three
water
main
breaks
on
beacon
hill
and
then
because
of
the
hill,
the
water
rushes
down
the
hill
and
can
have
like
quite
dramatic
impacts
right
on
the
houses
that
are
downhill
from
there.
A
It's
not
a
seeping
kind
of
a
problem.
It's
a
rushing
kind
of
a
problem
and
obviously
subsequently
we
then
get
into
kind
of
you
know,
there's
the
whole
insurance
conversation
and
who
was
actually
at
fault.
But
I
guess
for
me
as
the
counselor
I'm
like
you
know,
it's
it's
one
thing
to
cross
my
fingers
and
hope
that
xyz
contractor
won't
be
clumsy,
and
it's
not
that
I
think
you
know
that
it's
it
quite
often
is
xyz
contractor.
A
That
is
at
fault
right
in
a
legal
sense,
but
it
just
it
feels
to
me
like,
like.
We
know
that
some
of
this
infrastructure
is
so
old
and
vulnerable,
and
I
kind
of
hate
the
dynamic
of
like
only
turning
to
it
when
it's
already
broken,
and
that's
just
that's
just
how
it
feels
to
me,
like
at
least
you
know,
with
these
series
of
water
main
breaks
around
the
hill.
A
So
I'm
just
kind
of
I'm
wondering
how
you
guys
think
about
prioritization
of
of
kind
of
the
more
like
fragile,
older
stuff
and
and
also
maybe
as
a
aligned
question
to
what
to
what
degree
you
guys
coordinate
with
public
works
and
btd
around,
like
oh
there's,
an
opportunity
for
synergy
where
streets
getting
opened
up,
and
so
we
could
do
some
work.
Yeah.
B
We
always
do
that,
we're
very
consistent
with
those
organizations.
In
fact,
when
we're
going
to
do
work
in
an
area
we
touch
base
with
all
those
organizations,
vice
versa,
if
ever
source
or
national
grid's
doing
work
and
a
public
works
is
doing
that
they
inform
us
it's
on
a
database.
So
we
know
it
all
time.
B
So,
certainly,
if
there's
an
area
that
there's
going
to
be
construction,
if
it's
an
opportunity
for
us
to
get
in
there,
we
will
do
it
because
that's
the
most
efficient
way
and
getting
back
to
the
boston
war
and
sewers
infrastructure,
we
have
a
thousand
miles
of
water
pipe
and
the
industry
standard
is
with
a
thousand
miles
of
water
pipe.
You
have
215
water
main
breaks
a
year,
we've
been
averaging
like
30
35.
B
B
Tell
you
I'll
tell
you
philadelphia
new
york,
we
do
we
do
much
better
than
those
two
areas,
and
and
also
too
every
single
pipe
in
the
boston
war
and
sewer
commission's
infrastructure
is
prioritized
based
on
its
age,
the
soil,
how
many
water
breaks,
how
many
problems
we've
had
with
it,
because
we
have
a
work
order
management
system.
So,
yes,
every
pipe
is
prioritized
and
we
have
a
schedule
on
one
pipe
should
be
replaced.
So
even
though
we
have
an
old
system,
we
ensure
that
we're
trying
to
keep
the
system
as
updated
as
possible.
B
For
example,
since
the
early
90s
we've
spent
a
billion
dollars
upgrading
the
water
and
sewer
infrastructure.
Now
let
me
say
this
to
you.
One
of
the
reasons
why
the
mwi
ray
was
was
created
was
to
essentially
clean
up
the
boston
harbor
okay,
so
we
we
played
a
major
role
in
that
because
of
the
the
combined
sewers
and
everything,
and
there
was
no
way
that
the
expansion
of
the
seaport
area
would
have
happened
if
that
boston,
harbor
wasn't
cleaned
and
we
figured
for
every
one
dollar
that
you
spend
on
the
boston
war
and
sewer
commission's
infrastructure.
B
You
get
a
bet,
you
get
three
dollars
back,
whether
it
be
investment
or
taxes.
So
it's
critical
that
that
you,
you
have
an
infrastructure
that
is
up
to
date
and
if
there
are
problems
in
the
infrastructure
you
need
to
need
to
be
replaced
now.
Cost
is
always
an
issue.
You
can't
do
it
if
you
don't
have
the
money,
so
we
balance
that
and
how
do
we
pay
for
it?
B
B
That's
the
state
revolving
loan
program
that
the
state
has
and
you
take
advantage
of
that
program
because
they
have
low
interest
rates,
there's
not
a
grant
attached
to
that
program.
The
grants
are
attached
to
the
mwr
mwi
raised
interest
free
in
a
grant
portion.
The
state
revolving
loan
fund,
the
srf.
We
call
it
has
low
interest
rates,
but
we're
a
triple
a
credit
at
the
boston,
sewer
commission
and
because
we're
at
that
level,
it's
cheaper
for
us
to
issue
our
own
bonds,
which
we
have
enormous
capacity
to
do.
B
B
A
Is
that
I
mean
we,
we
just
had
a
conversation
last
week
or
two
and
the
council
about
sort
of
like
how
we
push
our
capital,
spend
on
the
city
side
up
to
kind
of
like
our
full
responsible
capacity,
just
because
there's
so
much
that
needs
doing.
Similarly,
like
do
you
guys
feel
like
you're
maxing
out
capacity
at
that
65
or
could
we
could
he
push
it
higher?
Well,.
B
I
I
I
think,
we've
done
a
great
job
in
trying
to
meet
our
budgets.
We
always
come
under
budget
every
year,
we're
probably
about
85
percent
of
the
of
of
the
budget.
We
we,
if
we
to
reach
the
100
percent.
You
know
staffing,
is
an
issue
because
again
we
have
the
residency
requirement
at
the
boston,
sewer,
commission
and
that's
been
an
issue
hiring
engineers.
We've
had
an
issue
hiring
engineers,
and
then
we
also
commercial
driver's
license.
B
We
have
positions
that
are
open,
so
we
we
have.
You
know
we
need
more
help
in
that
regard,
but
again,
what's
reasonable,
I
mean
it
to
to
get
it
to
100
million
a
year
means
you
have
to
hire
more
people
higher
outsource
consultants,
and
you
have
to
be
careful
with
the
consultants,
because
those
costs
are
four
to
five
times
higher
than
what
we
can
do
with
in-house
and
some
of
it
some
of
the
work
that
we're
involved
with.
We
don't
have
the
expertise
in
the
house,
so
that's
where
you
like.
B
They
have
the
large
equipment
and
the
the
capacity
to
perform.
Some
of
this
work
like
there
was
a
a
job
six
months
ago,
that
involved
a
a
bridge.
The
pipe
ran
under
the
bridge
and
employees
would
have
to
be
up
high
and
we
didn't
have
that
those
resources.
So
in
that
case,
we'd
hire
a
company
who
has
that
expertise
for
that
work?.
A
Got
it
yeah?
You
know
I'd
love
to,
and
I
think
you
know
it's
a
follow-up
conversation,
but
would
love
to
just
chat
more
about
the
ways
in
which,
like
the
city's
workforce,
development
efforts
can
support
filling
the
roles
that
are
hard
to
fill
for
you
guys
and
and
again
this
question
of
kind
of
partnering
on
the
green
jobs
training
front
and
having
some
of
our
you
know,
our
young
people
be
able
to
fill
those
competencies.
A
I
think
it
there's
a
lot
of
alignment
there,
potentially
in
the
fact
that
the
fact
that
the
water
and
sewer
commission
sits
on
its
own
basis,
shouldn't
prevent
us
from
taking
advantage
of
this
energy.
It's
like
you
know
that
we
we
have
an
office
of
workforce
development,
you
know
and
they're
running
a
program
and
working
with
environment.
You
guys
shouldn't
have
to
recreate
that
in-house
in
order
to
take
advantage
of
the
possibility
of
some
good
folks
to
hire.
B
Now
we
we
work
very
closely
with
mayor
wu
in
her
administration
as
far
as
what
we're
doing
at
the
bus
war
and
sewer
commission.
In
fact,
it's
her
leadership
and
many
of
her
initiatives
we're
trying
to
implement
at
the
bus
one
and
two
commission
great,
that's
great,
like
right
right
now,
we're
in
the
process
of
looking
to
electrify
our
fleet
with
204
vehicles,
we're
we're
evaluating
that
we,
we
have
a
firm
that
we're
dealing
with
right
now,
we're
talking
to
eversource
to
see
if
eversource
can
support
the
program.
B
B
We
have
72
vacancies
right
now
now
again,
over
the
last
couple
years,
we
had
hiring
freeze
because
of
the
pandemic.
We
were
doing
poorly
financially.
Obviously,
people
weren't
working
in
boston,
our
water
and
sewer
sales
were
about
20
below
budget,
and
it
was
the
situation
is
changing
in
a
positive
fashion
right
now,
so
our
sales
are
starting
to
pick
up
again
and
as
a
result,
we
lifted
the
hiring
freeze
last
summer.
The
board
did
so
that's
what
the
board
would
be
involved
with
that
decision
and
we
are
trying
to
hire
more
people.
C
C
There
couldn't
have
been
a
more
bolder
vision,
considering
the
situation
that
our
harbor
was
in.
That
only
happens
through
a
highly
professionalized
staff
with
a
lot
of
investment,
and
so
I
look
forward
to
supporting
the
boston,
water
and
sewer
commission
being
an
advocate
for
them.
I'm
fully
confident
of
their
professionalism,
but
their
mandate
is
large
and
I
do
think
they
need
support
both
from
the
public
and
so
I'm
just
you
know.
If
I
would
be
so
fortunate
to
serve
them,
I
would
try
to
be
an
advocate
for
the
staff.
B
But
our
our
assessment
to
the
mwra
is
22
million
dollars
a
month,
60
again
61
of
our
budget.
So
that's
why
it's
it's
critical
that
we
work
very
closely
with
the
mwi
we're
their
largest
customer
member
for
every
dollar
that
they
spend
we're
on
we're
responsible
for
33
cents.
The
next
largest
customer
is
five
five
percent.
We're
33
newton
is
the
next
largest
customer
so
we're
by
far
the
largest
customer
wow.
B
A
About
moving
the
pipe
there
and
the
kind
of
opportunity
to
open
up
some
more
green
space,
yes,
that
way,
yeah-
and
it's
I
mean
I
just
all
over
the
city-
we've
got
places
like
that
where
it's
your
guys's
infrastructure
sitting
underneath
you
know
other
people's
stuff
and
how
do
we?
How
do
we
all
be
aligned
so
really
appreciate
the
work
that
the
staff
does
every
day.
B
A
Yes,
he
is
literally
a
true
public
servant,
as
is
mr
christopher
cook,
so
I
certainly
expect,
as
the
chair
of
the
committee
on
city
services
and
innovation
technology,
to
be
making
a
favorable
report
next
week
obviously
require
a
council
vote
and
then
hopefully,
you'll
be
able
to
be
in
service
to
the
city
in
this
new
role
very
soon.
Thank
you,
counselor.
Thank
you.
So
much.
Thank
you
both
for
joining
us
today.
I'm
just
going
to
check
for
a
moment
and
see
if
there's
any
public
testimony.
A
I
don't
think
I
see
anybody
in
the
chamber
signed
up
and
I
don't
think
we've
got
anybody
on
zoom.
So
I'll
just
remind
anybody
watching
at
home
after
the
fact
that,
if
you
do
have
a
comment
on
this
you're
welcome
to
send
it
to
ccc.csit
csit
boston.gov.
That's
the
committee
email
address
but,
as
I
said,
I
do
expect
to
be
issuing
a
committee
report
for
favorable
action
on
this
at
wednesday's
council
meeting
and
grateful
to
the
whole
team
for
coming
with
that.
This
city
council
hearing
is
adjourned,
appreciate.