the mill farm initiative

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

MASSACHUSETTS SENATE

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON02133-1053

 

Anne M. Gobi

STATE SENATOR                                                                                      

Worcester, Hampden,

Hampshire & Middlesex

Tel. (617) 722-1540    

Fax (617) 722-1078                                                                                                                                                      

E-Mail: Anne.Gobi@masenate.gov                                                                                                      

PRESS RELEASE

EMBARGOED RELEASE:                                                            CONTACT:  Brian Ferrarese

Monday, February 05, 2018, 2pm                                                      PHONE:        617-722-1540

Gobi Announces $250,000 Grant for Dam Removal

 BOSTON – Senator Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer) has announced a $250,000 grant being awarded to the Mill Farm Initiative in Winchendon.  The funds, awarded through the Dam & Seawall Repair or Removal Program, will be used for design and permitting for the removal of White’s Mill Pond Dam.

“There is a lot of work to be done to address the current state of dams and seawalls across the state and the Baker-Polito Administration, along with Secretary Beaton, are doing great work to support those efforts,” said Senator Gobi

 White’s Mill Pond dam was built before 1923 and is a 340-foot long earth-fill dam with upstream and downstream dry stone masonry walls.  The dam has been identified by the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety identified the dam as a “high hazard potential structure” and determined it to be “structurally deficient” and in “poor” condition.

 The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs works with qualified organizations to implement projects for the repair and removal of dams, levees, seawalls, and other forms of flood control.   

For more information contact Senator Gobi’s office at 617-722-1540.

   

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                     

                                                                            

                               

                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                           

                                                                        

                                          

                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                           

               
                                                         

              

The consequences of doing nothing is obvious.  These are long term effects and require a long term plan.

Phase 3

Cost Comparison 2014 Key Finding: The average cost of 6 stream barrier removal projects was significantly less than the expense of repairing and maintaining existing structures over a 30 year period.

​Source: Economic Benefits from Aquatic Ecological Restoration Projects in Massachusetts Summary of Three Phases of Investigation.

Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game Division of Ecological Restoration. April 2015 Economic Benefits from Aquatic Ecological Restoration Projects in Massachusetts. Summary of Three Phases of Investigation. Charles D. Baker Governor, Karyn E. Polito Lieutenant Governor, Matthew A. Beaton Secretary, George N. Peterson, Jr. Commissioner, Mary-Lee King Deputy Commissioner, Tim Purinton Director.

Community Investment at its best.  Your Tax dollars in your Town creating jobs, opportunity, and stable neighborhoods. 

The Investment Test:

Did the funding enrich the Community?

Phase 1

Economic Output 2012 Key Finding: Investment in restoration design and construction stimulates job creation and economic output that equals or exceeds other capital projects like water and transportation infrastructure.

Phase 2

Ecosystem Services 2013 Key Finding: Improved ecosystem services, such as water quality and flood reduction, generate significant economic value and help communities avoid millions of dollars in future costs.