Environmental Secretary Richard Sullivan Opens Door to Greater Regional Collaboration
The Chamber received good news this past week when Brooke Thompson, Chief of Business, Technology and Economic Development for Attorney General Martha Coakley conveyed to Chamber President and CEO, Christopher Cooney that the EPA Consent Decree had been lifted on the Brockton regional waste water facility. Around the same time, Secretary Richard Sullivan issued a certificate allowing communities with existing relationships for sewerage a more direct route to expanding those
agreements.
Chamber president and CEO, Christopher Cooney said, “Imagine having access to a regional sewer (water reclamation) facility that could serve Brockton and surrounding town’s commercial needs. Now, picture this solution already built and operating within a short distance away. The Brockton Area Water Reclamation
Facility treats about 10 million gallons of sewerage a day and has the capacity to handle double this amount. The facility is one of the finest of its kind in the country.
Recently renovated at a cost of one hundred million dollars it is positioned to handle the greatest needs of the region while benefiting from economies of scale in its operation.” He went on to say, “This facility will position the Metro South region competitively going forward. It is great to have the support of the Attorney General and the Secretary in encouraging greater regional collaboration for the benefit of all.”
It’s Time to Move to a Regional Governance Model
Abington, Avon, Brockton, Easton, E. Bridgewater, Stoughton, W. Bridgewater, Whitman
The Chamber is advocating for a sustainable and cost-effective water supply and wastewater treatment strategy for the greater Brockton region. More than 170 million dollars in the past seven years was spent on the construction of a regional desalinization plant in Dighton and the redevelopment of the regional wastewater treatment
plant in Brockton. These facilities, according to recent studies can accommodate projected growth for the entire region through at least the year 2030. Both facilities are tremendous regional assets that will produce exceptional value to any participating partner community (think less cost and lower taxes). The Chamber has recently
lead tours of both facilities to encourage community and business leaders to benefit from these existing facilities. The Chamber has approved a resolution calling on all public agencies and officials to maximize use of these facilities for maximum regional and sustainable benefit. A model of shared regional collaboration is in order.