Stanley calls for I&I Business Advisory Committee

City Council Resolution

Whereas, The City of Waltham has been party to a consent agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection for several years to resolve a critical environmental issue and infrastructure shortfall regarding inflow and infiltration (I&I).

Whereas, The City of Waltham is responsible for setting policy and mitigation strategies to meet the conditions of the consent agreement and ultimately resolve this existing environmental hazard. 

Whereas, there have been numerous complaints from the business community with regards to transparency and implementation of the Inflow & Infiltration policy and the City Council has reason to believe these complaints are substantiated by inadequate policy making within the administration.

Whereas, the City Council needs to ensure that the City's administration of this consent agreement is not adversely and disproportionately impacting businesses and impeding the long term stability of the local economy. 

Therefore be it Resolved that the City Council establish an Inflow & Infiltration Business Advisory Committee to consult and advise the administration on the impact of Inflow & Infiltration policies and the impact that such policies have on business, the local economy, local property valuations, and commercial/business tax revenue.

Therefore be it further Resolved that the City Council appoint no less than ten individuals representing the interests of businesses to serve on an Inflow & Infiltration Business Advisory Committee; Such individuals shall have expertise in land use and environmental law, commercial leasing, residential and commercial construction, engineering, the local business climate, and the Inflow & Infiltration practices of other Massachusetts communities.

Therefore be it further Resolved that the Inflow & Infiltration Business Advisory Committee will review the administration’s most recent progress report to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the administration’s proposed 5-year mitigation plan that is due to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in August 2014, and report to the City Council on a monthly basis on its findings, concerns and interests as a committee.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. StanleyCouncillor-at-LargeChair, Economic & Community Development Committee