Originally posted on the T4MA blog
By Marie Szaniszlo
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo this morning said he wants the Legislature to decide how much to earmark for transportation, including funding for the MBTA and regional transit …
Today is World Water Day, a day to appreciate the importance of freshwater, and focus our attention on sustainable ways for preserving this precious resource.
In MAPC’s little corner of the wider world of water, we are involved in many projects that support these goals, and are currently gearing up to take a lead role in a new outreach effort in Massachusetts–building support and awareness around the need to finance improvements to our water infrastructure throughout the state.
Many of our water systems in Massachusetts were built in the early 20th century and are in need of updating. Photo courtesy of MWRA
Raising the cost of anything is never terribly popular, but in the case of water infrastructure in this state, it simply can’t be avoided. We need to help the general public understand both the dire need to update our old and decaying systems, and to be more aware of how our public water systems enable us to be healthy happy, and prosperous.
The cost of water as long been undervalued and under-priced in comparison to the importance it holds. Making sure that we always have clean drinking water that is free from harmful chemicals and pollutants is probably the most obvious advantage to improving our water systems–who can forget the panic/disruption that was felt throughout our region in 2010, when a pipe leak forced a “boil water” order for days? Sometimes it takes a scare like that one to realize how reliant we are on a well-functioning system that brings readily-available drinking water to our homes. Improving our water systems also helps to protect our environment–helping to reduce groundwater runoff, protect floodzones, and maintain wildlife habitats.
Another factor influenced by our water infrastructure is our economy. The ability of commercial and residential development to take place in some areas often hinges on an accessible water supply. We are “leaving money on the table” when cities and towns have to turn down development opportunities because of a lack of such resources.
In the coming months, MAPC will be looking at opportunities for helping to spread the word about the importance of taking action and raising necessary funds that are needed to bring our water infrastructure up to date. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities by emailing Senior Environmental Planner Julie Conroy at  jconroy@mapc.org
Like many Gen Y-ers, my youth before the arrival of the 56K modem was spent on watching endless hours of Road Rules, catering to every physiological need of a tamagotchi that lived within the confines …
Community engagement is best learned in practice, not in a classroom. Thanks to the City of Malden and the MAPC, a class of first year planning students at Harvard Graduate School of Design has been …
We held our first agricultural forum in Sudbury last night and we absolutely filled the venue! Nearly 100 people attended the forum and the word from attendees was that it was a great success.
Staff from …
Originally posted on the T4MA blog
By Marie Szaniszlo
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo this morning said he wants the Legislature to decide how much to earmark for transportation, including funding for the MBTA and regional transit …
It’s that time of year again, when MAPC puts out a call for applications for our Charles Eliot Scholarship, awarded annually to a senior in a secondary school in the MAPC region who intends to …
In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), MAPC awarded wellness “mini-grants” to municipalities within Middlesex County that do not currently receive Mass in Motion funding from MDPH.
These grants will go towards projects …
Need some inspiration?Â
A couple of colleagues and I just returned from the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Kansas City, Missouri! I always come back jazzed from all the people that I meet and …
On Monday, February 25, more than 100 people came to Salem’s Old Town Hall for an MAPC regional forum, co-sponsored by many local, regional, and statewide partners, focusing on the importance of investing in our …
Open House 2013 was possibly our best Open House yet! We had a record number of guests–266 to be exact. These visitors toured the MAPC office in Downtown Boston, met with our staff, and had …
On January 18, MAPC hosted a packed house for Slow Down! Speed Reduction Strategies for Vibrant Communities. The room was filled with bicycle and pedestrian advocates, local planners and public works staff, public health professionals, …
The purchase of streetlights by Chelsea from Boston referenced in this article from Atlantic Cities was facilitated in part by MAPC. Our clean energy team is spearheading a statewide collective purchasing and technical assistance effort …
Maps are perfect for telling you how far away places are, but what about how long it takes to get there? Whether you’re on a bus, in a car, or taking the T, knowing the …
Today is World Water Day, a day to appreciate the importance of freshwater, and focus our attention on sustainable ways for preserving this precious resource.
In MAPC’s little corner of the wider world of water, we …
Yesterday I spent the afternoon walking around Stoughton Center, popping into different local businesses to meet the owners and encourage them to come to a business breakfast on January 25, which MAPC is hosting along …
Like many Gen Y-ers, my youth before the arrival of the 56K modem was spent on watching endless hours of Road Rules, catering to every physiological need of a tamagotchi that lived within the confines …
Originally posted on the T4MA blog
By Marie Szaniszlo
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo this morning said he wants the Legislature to decide how much to earmark for transportation, including funding for the MBTA and regional transit …
In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), MAPC awarded wellness “mini-grants” to municipalities within Middlesex County that do not currently receive Mass in Motion funding from MDPH.
These grants will go towards projects …
Originally posted on the T4MA blog
By Marie Szaniszlo
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo this morning said he wants the Legislature to decide how much to earmark for transportation, including funding for the MBTA and regional transit …
