Pols outraged at plans for nearby sludge facility
By George P. Hassett

Local politicians are fuming mad at a plan to relocate a facility that would increase neighborhood air pollution and traffic to a property abutting East Somerville.   
   State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, D-Cambridge, state Senator Patrica D. Jehlen, D-Somerville and Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, sent a letter to the Executive Director of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) this week regarding plans to relocate, from Dorchester to Charlestown, a facility that handles catch basin sludge collected by the City of Boston.

  The letter highlights that the neighborhood of Charlestown, as well as the cities of Somerville and Everett, which abut the proposed location, had not been notified of this proposal.  The officials requested that the BWSC hold a public meeting in Charlestown to hear of the BWSC’s plans and to allow residents of all three cities to voice their opinions and concerns.
  ‚ÄúI have been working closely with the Boston Redevelopment Authority to improve traffic flow in Sullivan Square, and separately, with the Mystic River Watershed Association to clean up the Mystic River,‚Äù Barrios said.  ‚ÄúThe relocation of this facility near Sullivan Square and the river would seriously jeopardize these efforts by increasing pollution and significantly increasing traffic.‚Äù
  Curtatone echoed Barrios‚Äô concerns and pointed out that East Somerville already faces environmental distress.
  ‚ÄúEast Somerville residents – who already experience real air pollution and traffic congestion trouble – will feel the impacts of this site relocation just like their Boston neighbors,‚Äù Curtatone said.  ‚ÄúI have real concerns about any facility that has potential to compromise our efforts to improve the health and cleanliness of the Mystic River. I do hope that BWSC considers the impacts this site relocation is going to have on our city, and acts appropriately.‚Äù
  The BWSC estimates the facility will handle 130 tons per day of different materials including catch basin cleanings, sewer cleanings and trench excavate from Boston construction projects.
  The proposed site would use an estimated four acres of land and would be over 30,000 square feet in size.  It is projected that trucks would make 62 one-way trips to the facility every day, increasing traffic for residents of Charlestown, Somerville and Everett.