I've reviewed the September 25 draft Board Order for Riverside and I have
the following comments regarding Condition #6. 

 

The $6M Neighborhood Mitigation Fund is allocated as $4.8M for I&I, and
$1.2M for traffic, fire, and trails. Only if metered water usage is less
than projected, will the I&I allocation be reduced and the neighborhood
improvements allocation be increased. I strongly disagree with this
approach. In 2012 the Board approved an 11 year, $49M Citywide CIP for our
sewer system, even if there was no  project at Riverside. Allocating the
full $4.8M to I&I projects financially benefits the whole city, however,
only Lower Falls and Auburndale will be burdened with the additional traffic
congestion this project will create.

 

The amount allocated for traffic, fire, and trails must be a minimum of $2M.
It is clear from Mr. Paille's September 18 memo that $2M of roadway
improvements are needed in our area to support this project. In addition, it
is my understanding the Fire Dept. will likely ask for $400,000 for a new
truck, which will come out of the $1.2M, leaving only $800,000 to address
traffic issues and trails. 

 

The composition of the Neighborhood Improvement Council is heavily biased
toward Auburndale membership. This could influence which roadway
improvements are approved by the council, to the detriment of Lower Falls,
which will unduly suffer from highway congestion flowing onto our local
streets. 

Auburndale (4): Auburndale, Lasell Village, Riverside Business Center,
Williams School.

Lower Falls (1): Lower Falls.

I think of the Woodland Grove condo member as split between both villages.

 

I look forward to tonight's discussion. Thank you.

 

Bill Renke