MassDOT Capital Investment Plan public meeting
Pittsfield – On Thursday, May 5, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber at 70 Allen St., the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will hold a public meeting to present and discuss its Draft Five-Year Capital Investment Plan (CIP).
In the fall of 2015, MassDOT held Capital Conversations throughout Massachusetts to solicit public input for the preparation of CIP for fiscal years 2017–2021. The multi-billion dollar program makes long-term, multi-modal investments across the Commonwealth and covers all MassDOT highway and municipal projects, regional airports, rail, and transit, including MBTA and regional transit authorities as well as the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
For those unable to attend the meeting, an online copy of the presentation has been made available. Public comment may be submitted at masscip@state.ma.us.
–E.E.
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State funds testing of school drinking water
Boston — Gov. Charlie Baker and State Treasurer Deb Goldberg announced Tuesday that $2 million from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust will fund cooperative efforts to assist Massachusetts public schools in testing for lead in drinking water. The funds, to be used by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), will provide technical assistance to ensure that public school districts can sample the taps and water fountains in their schools, and to identify any results that show lead contamination over the federal action level.
MassDEP will spearhead the assistance program as part of its implementation of the federal Lead Contamination Control Act (LCCA). Under the LCCA, MassDEP emailed to thousands of school officials a voluntary survey earlier this year asking school districts to provide information about their drinking water testing programs, the results of any testing done recently, and what plans were implemented to address any contamination uncovered during sampling.
Within the next week, MassDEP and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will make available to school districts, municipal officials and others the form needed to participate in the technical assistance and sample analysis program.
Water supplied to schools is generally free of lead, but lead can be introduced into drinking water through plumbing and fixtures in buildings, especially in facilities more than 20 years old. Copper can also enter drinking water through plumbing, so the assistance program will also address copper levels in drinking water. Historically, the majority of lead poisoning cases in Massachusetts are attributable to lead paint exposures; however, other sources including drinking water in schools continues to be an important concern for children’s health.
The funding will allow the assistance program to launch this spring. Additional information is available on lead in drinking water and school-related issues.
–E.E.
