The FUTURE of Waltham
Neighborhood and City-at-Large Improvements
CASE #1: INFILTRATION AND INFLOW (I/I – SEWER WORK)
Commencing in May 2003, the City has a Consent Decree with Mass DEP (Dept. of Environmental Protection) which requires fixing of sewers before a permit can be issued for projects that will add flow to the sewer system. Single family homeowners and small businesses were allowed to just pay a sewer fee. All others were required to do a sewer project.
My opponent led the charge and created an I/I Committee in June 2014. Developer’s representative who is a landscape
architect (campaign contributor 6/4/2014) (not a professional engineer) was on the Committee. On June 1, 2015, the
City Council passed an order allowing DEVELOPERS TO JUST PAY A FEE and NO LONGER HAVE TO DO A SEWER PROJECT. (City Council Order No. 33242)
PROBLEMS: |
| THE FEE DOES NOT COVER COST OF DOING THE SEWER WORK AND THE SEWER WORK HAS TO BE DONE (PER DEP CONSENT DECREE). |
RESULTS: |
| The BURDEN of big business expansion is NOW SHIFTED TO THE CITY/RESIDENTS/TAXPAYERS/RATEPAYERS. THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT THE BIG DEVELOPERS WANT: FOR THE CITY TO DO IT AND FOR YOU TO PAY FOR IT! |
MY OPPONENT WANTS YOU TO FOOT THE DEVELOPERS’ BILLS. (millions)
An employee of a large 128 developer testified at the I/I Committee that they would prefer to only pay a sewer fee.
MY OPPONENT DELIVERED FOR THEM, BUT NOT FOR YOU!
My opponent has never met a development he didn’t like! |
CASE #2: 36 RIVER STREET (City Council Order No. 31835, 11/26/2012)
How do these things happen? City Council Special Permit for 200 units – mainly luxury apartments. Flipped (sold) to Texas developer after City Council voted Special Permit.
Do you know that on 11/27/2012, my opponent received a campaign contribution from this developer one day after he voted in favor of 36 River St. Special Permit? (Opponent’s Campaign Finance Report 2012)
CASE #3: COOPER STREET/LANE (City Council Order No. 33238, 5/26/2015)
Do you know my opponent led the charge to approve 264 apartments (mainly luxury) from Cooper St./Lane & Elm St. for the big developer whose representative is a multi-year campaign donor to my opponent? Do you know that this is the same developer who built the Ridge on Lexington St.? Do you know THIS Special Permit (page 19, 20) allows THIS developer to automatically reduce the required number of parking spaces (528) WITHOUT a public hearing if the City Council changes the parking requirements IN THE FUTURE!
We don’t need any more luxury apartments. You won’t be able to move in the City!
CASE #4: FLOOD GATES ARE OPEN
A 40B developer has filed with the state an intent to build a 40B residential complex at 341 Second Avenue in the heart of the 128 commercial district; and another developer wants to put a 40B housing project in Weston and connect to the Regis sewer which is connected to Waltham’s sewer. The 341 Second Ave project cites the CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL PERMITS as grounds to support their application to do this. See how it keeps happening!
In both cases, River St. and Cooper Lane, commercial lots were removed from commercial tax rolls, replaced by primarily luxury apartment residential complexes. This hurts the residential taxpayers because commercial property is taken off commercial rolls, and since Waltham has a split tax rate, the residential taxpayers have to absorb this huge value which impacts their taxes and changes the character of Waltham and impacts our schools, infrastructure, etc.
Just a few examples of my opponent’s/developers’/special interests’/lobbyists’ plan for the City of Waltham.
CASE #5: CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS/CONTRIBUTIONS
See for yourself. City of Waltham website / City Clerk / Campaign Finance Reports. Mass. Office of Campaign Finance (Mayor candidates have to file with state, next filing Oct. 26)
Now put him in charge of City departments?
What will he do next with your zoning, your infrastructure and your money?
Checks and balances?