Legislature Approves I-93 Interchange Funds

Published: 06/16/2006

By Edward Mason
Staff writer for Eagle Tribune

Legislature approves I-93 interchange funds

BOSTON – A proposed Interstate 93 interchange in Andover got a boost yesterday, as Beacon Hill lawmakers approved state funding for planning and construction of the first phase of the project.

The interchange is seen as an important link to stimulating job creation in the Merrimack Valley by increasing accessibility to employers and underdeveloped land in Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington.

The funding is part of a $700 million spending plan in two bills passed by the House and Senate yesterday designed to stimulate the state economy and pay for capital projects. The bills, which now go to the governor, include spending for a host of North of Boston projects besides the interchange.

Under the bill, Massachusetts will issue a $200 million bond to pay for a variety of capital projects, which will include the state’s share of the early planning and construction in the first phase of the $53 million interchange.

Rep. David M. Torrisi, D-North Andover, said the state portion of that first phase will be between $15 million and $20 million and cover engineering studies and the start of construction.

Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, R-Gloucester, said the interchange is more than a highway project. “This is one of the top five economic development projects in the state,” Tarr said.

The Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council estimates that the interchange will improve access to Andover, Tewksbury and Wilmington and allow new and current employers to create between 4,500 to 11,500 new jobs, as well as $4.2 million to $6.6 million in additional property tax revenue.

The interchange is linked to projects that include the expansion of Wyeth Biopharma and a 750,000-square-foot mall proposed for Tewksbury by Mills Corp., a Virginia developer.

The economic stimulus calls for the state to invest in life sciences, work force training, higher education and public construction projects beside the I-93 interchange. Among the job creation expenditures is $70 million for a nano bio-manufacturing center at UMass Lowell.

The plan comes as the state reported yesterday that it lost 900 jobs in May, causing the unemployment rate to creep over 5 percent.

Both the economic stimulus and capital spending bills had been bottled up in conference committees since late last year as lawmakers concentrated on completing a health care reform law and other issues.

“Everyone recognizes in the Legislature that we need to do everything we can to jumpstart our economy, and (these bills) make that happen,” Rep. Barbara A. L’Italien, D-Andover, said.

The economic stimulus plan included lots of additional spending for North of Boston communities. Those included:

* The Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit cap was raised to $50 million annually. That means there’s additional state incentives for developers to rehabilitate Merrimack Valley mills and convert them to tax-generating facilities.

* The Legislature approved additional funds and tax credits for redeveloping brownfields, contaminated commercial sites that can be converted into functioning commercial properties.

* Lawrence received $1 million for the Lawrence Riverwalk project and $1 million for the Our House Family Learning Center to renovate the St. Laurence O’Toole school building.

* Peabody would get $2 million for flood prevention in the city’s downtown. It also received a one-time $500,000 appropriation for a flood control matching grant. There also was $250,000 for planning the new Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District facility.

* Haverhill spending included $1 million for renovating the city’s stadium.

* Gloucester earmarks included $150,000 to devise an economic development plan and $200,000 for the Maritime Heritage Center.

* North Andover’s Stevens Library got $150,000 for improvements.

* $50,000 was approved for the renovation of the Amesbury Carriage Museum and $50,000 for the Salisbury Historical Society to renovate the town museum.

Greenhouse Gas Initiative

MA Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

This compact would reduce MA carbon dioxide emissions through participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative agreement and establish a cap and trade system for carbon dioxide.

Do-Not-Knock Bill Finds North Shore Hospitable

‘Do-not-knock’ bill finds North Shore hospitable

Salem News

Sandy Karcher did not get her wish for a town bylaw to keep door-to-door salesmen at bay in Boxford last month.

But state lawmakers came a-knockin’ yesterday with a “do not knock” bill of their own.

The bill, similar to the “do-not-call” lists that have thwarted telemarketers, aims to protect the elderly and others from scam artists and sexual predators. Residents who don’t want to be bothered by peddlers pitching everything from magazines to home makeovers could sign up with their local police departments. Before they could knock on your door, solicitors would have to register with police and obtain a list of addresses where they’re not welcome. Violators would be fined up to $5,000.

Nonprofits, religious organizations and other noncommercial activity, such as Girl Scouts selling cookies, would be exempt.

“It’s nice that it’s being addressed at a higher level,” said Karcher, who filed a citizens’ petition at Boxford Town Meeting last month to create a similar list in her town. Voters took no action on the measure.

In an informal door-to-door survey this week, some Beverly residents liked the idea but said they don’t get that many sales calls.

“I’m all for it, 100 percent,” said Pete Skerry of 4 College Lane. “There are just too many intrusions now in life.”

“I think it would be a great idea,” said Jessica Anketell, mowing her lawn at 6 Presidential Circle. “They always seem to knock on your door when you are at dinner. They don’t know how to take ‘no’ for an answer.”

Annette Athanasopoulos of 12 Presidential Circle said most intrusions these days are from those who would not have to sign up.

“There are kids that solicit for schools and there are Jehovah’s Witnesses who come around … on rainy days,” she said.

Karcher said an “unpleasant situation” with a solicitor who refused to leave when “politely” asked prompted her to look into the creation of a “do-not-solicit” list in Boxford.

Last month, Boxford residents were concerned about how the list might be administered. Some feared it would make the town appear too exclusive, while others wondered if it might deter the Scouts.

The state bill is sponsored by Rep. Barbara L’Italien, D-Andover (one of Boxford’s representatives), Rep. Cleon Turner, D-Yarmouth, and Sen. Michael Morrisey, D-Quincy. Because it was filed late in the legislative session, it likely won’t be taken up until the fall.

Senate Minority Leader Brad Jones Jr., R-North Reading, has his doubts.

“Are they (criminals) only going to attack those people who are not registered?” he asked.

Jones wondered if the bill would stretch police resources. The bill calls for a $50 registration fee to offset costs.

“I think it would be an extra burden for us, and it would be hard to keep up,” said Beverly police Chief John Cassola.

The department already keeps tabs on those selling around the city, and police conduct background checks on solicitors.

But Cassola, who wanted to read the bill before passing judgment, said he liked the idea.

“I would sign up,” he said, though he does not get a lot of knocks at his door.

State Rep. Brad Hill, R-Ipswich, who helped draft the do-not-solicit warrant article in Boxford, said such a law could deter crime.

“We live in a world that is very nasty right now, and this bill may be a tool that we can use,” he said.

State Rep. Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers, a co-sponsor of the state’s do-not-call list, said he liked the notion of protecting seniors, but he had some reservations.

“You don’t want to overly restrict just communication and access,” Speliotis said. “You don’t want to be a police state. You don’t want to ban the right to door-knock.”

He pointed out that the bill would allow politicians their time-honored tradition of campaigning door to door.

“There’s no one who knows more about knocking on doors,” Speliotis said. “I’ve been doing it all my adult life.”

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Mercury

I am committed to reducing mercury emissions and mercury containing products in the environment.

When mercury in the waste stream is incinerated, it evaporates into the air and precipitates onto our land and into waterways.Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that causes developmental and behavioral disorders in children.Pregnant women and children especially need to limit their intake of certain fish due to high levels of mercury. 

I have co-sponsored: 

Comprehensive Mercury Management Bill  (signed into Law – July 28, 2006) link to below

·        will regulate the sale and disposal of products containing mercury, a well-known environmental contaminant and public health threat

·        will phase out mercury in thermometers and light bulbs

·        requires manufacturers to set up collection and recycling programs

·        focuses on the production, disposal, collection, and labeling of products that contain mercury to reduce both landfill and incinerator emissions which enter the air and end up in lakes, rivers and reservoirs

·        mandates the Department of Environmental Protection to create an education program to inform individuals and businesses about mercury-added products and offer instruction on their safe disposal

·        Four other New England states – Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Maine – have enacted similar laws.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw06/sl060190.htm 

Legislation to Eliminate Thimerosol from Vaccines H4703

Thimerosol, a mercury compound is still present in the Flu and Tetanus shots, despite a 1998 directive by the FDA/CDC and NIH. Mercury is a known neurotoxin so why are we injecting it into people, particularly pregnant women and young children? There are mercury free alternatives available and this legislation offers a timeline to move towards removal of thimerosol from all vaccines.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht04pdf/ht04703.pdf 

Safer Alternatives for Toxic Chemicals H-1286

Initially targets ten of the worst toxic chemicals to be replaced with currently available safer alternatives.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01pdf/ht01286.pdf

An Act to Reduce Asthma by Using Safer Cleaning Products Bill H5018

Aims to reduce asthma triggers from cleaning product emissions used in schools, hospitals and other health care facilities, day care centers, public buildings, and public housing.

http://www.mass.gov/legis/184history/h05018.htm

Interstate 93 Project

Interstate 93 interchange project would be a boost to the Merrimack Valley -

• Potential doubling of jobs at Wyeth Biopharma facility in Andover
• Enables future expansion of Proctor &Gamble
• Opens up land owned by other businesses to be developed as well.

More Info. http://www.merrimackvalley.info/