HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017-06-29 Letter from State Rep re ICubeTHE GENERAL COURT OF MASSACHUSETTS
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133-1053
June 27, 2017
Council President Mark S. Sideris
Watertown Town Council
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Dear Council President Sideris,
We are writing to express our support for action by the Town Council to submit the
Infrastructure Investment Incentive (I -Cubed) proposal for The Arsenal on the
Charles to the Secretary of Administration and Finance (A&F) and other state
agencies.
The I -Cubed proposal is a rare opportunity to secure $25 million in state funding for
public infrastructure improvements in Watertown that might otherwise be delayed
or never undertaken. We understand that, for a number of reasons, it is important
that a final decision on the proposal be made before the end of 2017. Since review
by the state will take several months, we respectfully urge the Council to take action
to submit it to A&F as soon as possible.
As the state undertakes its review of the proposal, we suggest that the Town and
athenahealth consider additional steps to ensure effective use of the state funding to
achieve both the economic development goals of athenahealth and the community
development goals of the Town. Public infrastructure improvements under the I -
Cubed program must be completed within 3 years of the issuance of the bonds used
to finance them. To ensure successful completion of the multiple improvements and
minimize delays that could leave funds unspent, you may wish to consider:
Establishing a process by which public input will be sought and
incorporated into the planning of infrastructure improvements that have
not previously been the subject of extensive public input and design;
Establishing a process by which plans and specifications for improvements
to infrastructure owned by the Town will be reviewed and approved by the
Town as provided in 801 CMR 51.17(12);
Determining how the multiple infrastructure improvements in the proposal
will be phased and coordinated to mitigate as much as possible the
disruption to traffic, businesses and residents;
Determining how an Independent Construction Agent will be engaged, with
I -Cubed funds, to monitor and inspect construction of the infrastructure
improvements on behalf of the Town, again per 801 CMR 51.17(12); and
Determining how all aspects of the proposal and its implementation will be
communicated to the public in a timely fashion.
These issues could be addressed in the Infrastructure Development Assistance
Agreement required as a condition of approval of the I -Cubed proposal under 801
CMR 51.16 and 51.17 or in separate agreements entered into by the Town and
athenahealth at the same time as the IDAA.
Thank you for considering our views on this important matter. Please do not
hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or if we can be of any other
assistance.
Sincerely yours,
1
Jonathan Hecht
State Representative
John J. Lawn
State Representative
8
William N. Brownsberger
State Senator