Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta and City Council President Ed Flynn held a hearing on Tuesday, April 19 regarding the coordination of construction and utility permits in compliance with minimal impact to residential life last Wednesday.
“I have heard from many residents about the need for better coordination, maintenance of sites, and notification of neighborhood street work. Holding this hearing with Council President Flynn was vital as our city grows. We have dense neighborhoods with a lot of activity that requires street digging and the temporary loss of parking spaces. There is road work taking place at the same time within a 100 ft radius due to a lack of coordination,” said Councilor Gabriela Coletta. “There is more work ahead; these things affect residents’ lives every day. I look forward to continuing the conversation with utility companies and looking at how we, as a City, can invest in resources to modernize the permitting system and ensure that residents are informed about what is happening in our neighborhoods. ”
Councilor Coletta and Councilor President Flynn put forward the hearing given the frequency in how neighborhood streets get closed down, trapping residents due to multiple utility companies conducting work within a 100 ft radius due to lack of coordination.
“One of the top constituent issues my office receives is about the coordination of construction and utility permits in the neighborhood. With the growth of development projects and the frequent utility maintenance and build outs across the City, it is important that we work together with the construction and utility companies to improve neighborhood outreach and coordination so that residents can have ample time to plan ahead and around these work.” said Council President Flynn. “Often, residents are finding out about these projects as they are going about their day which can be very disruptive to their quality of life.”
Representatives from the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, National Grid, Inspectional Services Department, and Boston Transportation Department were present to share the permitting process and community outreach process. During the hearing, Councilors could ask questions and gather information to fully understand the internal machinations of interdepartmental approvals for street occupancy, excavation permits, permit approving system, how COBUCS works, and the potential to modernize the system.
The Councilors look forward to continuing the conversation with more hearings to be scheduled and with utility companies and residents to ensure that street work permits are coordinated and residents’ quality of life is minimally interrupted.
Highlights of the Order Include:
“WHEREAS: Both residential construction work and public utility work can have a significant impact on residents’ quality of life; and
WHEREAS: These quality of life impacts are multiplied if there are numerous projects happening in a small geographic area; and
WHEREAS: As more development projects are approved and begin construction, there are increasing examples of both utility and construction permits being issued sometimes on same residential block;
WHEREAS: This leads to negative impacts to the overall quality of life for residents due to a lack of parking availability and detour delays, especially if they haven’t received adequate notice; and
WHEREAS: The Boston Transportation Department and the Department of Public Works issue the permits necessary for these projects and could issue them in such a way that would minimize quality of life issues and overlap of projects;”
The following is a letter to John Sullivan Chief Engineer of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission 980 Harrison Ave., Roxbury, MA 02119
Dear Mr. Sullivan,
Last week you attended my hearing regarding the coordination of utility work and construction through the committee on City Services & Innovation Technology at Boston City Council. I appreciate the Boston Water and Sewer Commission’s partnership on this matter.
In an ongoing effort to mitigate further impacts to the local community, I have connected with the Boston Public Works Department regarding your ongoing work in East Boston and would like to formally request that the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) not move to a new street until 90% of the work is completed on an existing street permit. We respectfully request this agreement be included in all future contracts moving forward for the betterment of quality of life in East Boston.
As mentioned at the hearing, our office has received an abundant amount of negative responses from residents regarding the work BWSC is conducting in the neighborhood. Their concerns include long-term loss of parking due to monthly permits being pulled repeatedly and consecutively, gridlock due to multiple detours, equipment being stored on city streets and sidewalks, and interference with sidewalk and street access.
It is essential that we work together before work begins to ensure their concerns are addressed. I appreciate your time, attention, and partnership on this matter. If you would like to discuss this request further, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] and (617) 635-3200.
Gabriela Coletta
Boston City Councilor
District One