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Everett's Top Stories - Friday, February 5, 2010

Berkeley Development gaining momentum

By Keith Spencer

For The Advocate

  A recent vote by the Everett Conservation Commission has moved the city of Everett closer to a major development deal with Berkeley Green II LLC. The commission issued an order of conditions following a unanimous vote despite concerns by a neighboring city over jurisdiction of the project.

  “Everything that should be done is going to be done,” said Jon Norton, Chairman of the Everett Conservation Commission. “The notice of intent was quite extensive, and presented a proposal that will be quite beneficial.”

  The move is just the first of several hurdles that would bring development to the General Electric site, abandoned a decade ago. Developers are planning to transform the 40-acre site into a five building office park that includes a public river walk and scenic overlook as well as public access to the city’s 7-acre park.

  Representatives from the team of engineers at ESS Group hired by Berkeley presented their plans to the commission before the public hearing. According to Carol Wasserman of ESS, the estimated $65-$70 million project will require “higher level” cleaning due to the public’s access to the site. When removing buildings from the site, GE disregarded proper cleanup efforts, leaving bricks and slabs of concrete throughout the sediment.

  Each building will be constructed on concrete slabs to avoid any disturbance of sediments that could release chemicals at the site. The site will feature only light industrial or office space due to the site’s environmental restrictions. The area has been designated a “brown field”, or an area of previous development.

  Engineers outlined plans for the site’s runoff water systems due to the project’s close proximity to the Malden River. The plans call for storage tanks that would retain sediments and debris from runoff water before it is deposited into the watershed. While the tanks would have to be cleaned on a yearly basis, the owners of the site’s buildings would assume this responsibility and costs.

  The development also calls for Berkeley to install a new sewer system and extend the nearby roadway into the development. The extension of Air Force Road will finally enable the public open access to the city’s 7-acre public park developed on an adjacent site. The park, which has restrictions of use due to contamination issues, was constructed with clean fill removed from Glendale Park during the building of the new high school.

  While much of the river will be left undisturbed, a phragmites control program will also begin as part of the development. The invasive plant species can be found through out the banks of the Malden River, and threaten local plants. The program will continue for three years following the completion of construction.

  Plans also call for 8,000 square feet of extensive landscaping and restoration to offset any impact to the waterfront.

  The project will be market driven which places restrictions on the opening of the public portions of the project. According to officials, Berkeley plans on either selling or leasing the individual buildings, depending on the offers received and the market outlook.  The company is confident in their plans, and remains committed to building the scenic overlook and river walkway, which is scheduled to open no earlier than the third quarter of 2012.

  Aldermen Robert Van Campen and Michael Mangan as well as Councillors Cynthia Sarnie and Rosa DiFlorio voiced their approval of the project during the public hearing portion of the meeting. Their comments and concerns confirmed those voiced by the other residents who attended the meeting.

  Before taking a vote, Commissioner Norton also presented a letter from the Medford Conservation Commission (MCC) who requested a delay in the commission’s decision. Members of the MCC hoped to attend the meeting, considering their city to be “abutters” to the project.

  “Because a portion of the proposed project property is located within the City of Medford and the project may have an adverse impact on a portion of the Malden River within Everett and Medford, the MCC would like to provide comments regarding the proposed project,” the letter read.

  After much discussion with Wasserman of ESS, the Commission went ahead, voting unanimously to issue an order of conditions. The Commission reviewed the MCC’s concerns discussed in the letter, and requested Berkeley and ESS Group contact the city of Medford out of courtesy in the future.

  According to both Norton and Wasserman, the only abutting area is underwater and would not be impacted by the development. Where the plans do not call for any drudging or work within the river, the MCC has no jurisdiction in the matter.

  Berkeley’s plans now move on to further review and approval from the Everett Planning Board and the Department of Environmental Protection.

                 DiFlorio acknowledges challenges, urges continued cooperation

                                   By Keith Spencer                                       

  “I am very proud to be the president of the Common Council this session, and I am so happy to receive that vote of confidence from my colleagues,” Councillor Rosa DiFlorio said in an interview Tuesday. The ward-five councilor will lead the Everett Common Council as president during the 2010 legislative session.

  DiFlorio is a native of Salerno, Italy who moved to Everett as a young girl. The three-term councilor grew up in ward one, living in the area for most of her life. DiFlorio found political success across the city when she ran for city council just six months after moving into ward five.

  Through out our recent interview, DiFlorio reiterated her desire to see teamwork at all levels of government. She noted the advancements in communication made by the city council during the last session under the leadership of Millie Cardello.

  “I thought Millie did a great job working with all of the councillors, speaking with each and every one of us, really communicating,” added DiFlorio. “I am really hoping to build upon her work last year, and continue to create an atmosphere where we all work together.”

  DiFlorio also urged her fellow elected officials to promote teamwork at all levels. Noting instances in the past where people chose to work against rather than with one another, DiFlorio believes the city has moved forward, also acknowledging Mayor Carlo DeMaria for his contributions over the last several years.

  “I have been happy to work with the Mayor and all of the members of the city council in beautifying our streets and parks and bringing in positive business development. We need to be focused on growth and moving forward.”

  Despite her high hopes, DiFlorio is quite grounded, acknowledging the challenges that will most likely be presented during the upcoming year.

  The council president believes this year’s budget process will once again present issues for cities and towns across the state. While Governor Patrick has expressed the need and his desire to keep local aid in tact, the budget ax of the legislature may ultimately leave the Commonwealth facing cutbacks once again. DiFlorio believes it would be better to get these cuts sooner than later.

  “I am hoping that we don’t get the cuts, but I don’t have a crystal ball,” DiFlorio said. “I really think it is better to get these cuts now rather than scramble during the middle of the year when there are shortfalls.”

  DiFlorio believes the city’s budget process should go smoothly despite a potentially dismal outlook.

  “We should have a smooth transaction like we did last year,” DiFlorio stated. “Alderman Van Campen and I pushed to make the cuts as we moved along in the process while we had the department heads in front of us. We needed to make sure we could get the answers we needed in order to do the right thing.”

  DiFlorio believes the procedural change benefited FY2010 hearings, and hopes the city council will once again communicate openly and freely during the process later this spring.

  While DiFlorio supported a measure to use nearly $1 million to save jobs last year, the new council president does not believe any similar action will be an option in the future.

  “We’ve been presented with cuts in the middle of the year in the past, and we were facing a gloomy outlook,” DiFlorio admitted.

  “I don’t see us being able to make any decisions like we did last year. We all know that we have to cut the budget as best as we can, but we need to make it so the city can still run.”

  DiFlorio also acknowledged the serious need to look at our city’s taxes, noting that both residents and businesses have been hard-hit over the years for various reasons.

  “It really does all come back down to growth,” DiFlorio concluded. “We need to bring in more positive businesses, drive taxes down, and continue to develop relationships that will help our city thrive.”