Baker-Polito Administration Awards $8.5 Million in Workforce Training Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $8.5 Million in Workforce Training Grants

NORTH BROOKFIELD, MA – JUNE 24, 2016 – The Baker-Polito administration today announced more than $8.47 million in Workforce Training Grant funds to 101 companies, which will enable the businesses to train current or newly hired workers.  Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced the grants at Vibram USA, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high performance shoe soles, outdoor products, and FiveFingers athletic shoes.

“We know that a skilled workforce is key to driving economic growth in the Commonwealth,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “Companies constantly tell us they need more skilled workers and these grants enable businesses large and small to provide those training opportunities in-house.”

More than 6,200 individuals will receive training at their workplace. The Workforce Training Fund is an important tool in assisting Massachusetts businesses in becoming more competitive by investing in the skills of their workers. The Workforce Training Fund is also a vital resource to thousands of Massachusetts workers who wish to advance their skills to achieve promotional opportunities and higher wages.

“Our administration is focused on meeting the needs of employers in Massachusetts by aligning workforce training, economic development and education,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “These grants offer a unique opportunity for local businesses not only to improve their workers skills, but also to boost their bottom line as a result of the training.”

The Workforce Training Fund provides grants up to $250,000 to companies of any size in Massachusetts to pay for workforce training over a two-year period. Grants are awarded to projects that will upgrade workers’ skills, increase productivity, and enhance the competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses. Grants are matched dollar-for-dollar by the award recipients.

The Workforce Training Fund is a program of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The program is administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public state agency that fosters partnerships between industry, education and workforce organizations to strengthen skills for youth and adults in order to help them thrive in the state’s economy.

“Businesses’ investment in training is one of the best ways to grow and retain talent within an organization. As an added benefit, workers who receive additional training feel valued by their companies,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said.

“The Workforce Training Fund is a great resource to support businesses in investing in the skills of their incumbent workforce.  We encourage Massachusetts companies to learn more about how the fund can help them to meet their business needs through training."  Nancy Snyder, President and CEO of Commonwealth Corporation.

Michael V. Gionfriddo, President and CEO, Vibram USA said “With the support of the Workforce Training Fund Program, Vibram can continue to focus on improving the skills of our workforce and developing the future leaders of our company.”

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Commonwealth Corporation hope to encourage businesses to address workforce training needs through the Workforce Training Fund. The fund awards more than $1 million each month, on a rolling basis throughout the year. Interested parties are encouraged to visitwww.commcorp.org/wtfp to learn more.

The following is a complete list of the grant recipients awarded Workforce Training Fund Grants today (listed by community):

Agawam

Sound Seal, Inc. was awarded $168,360 to train 59 workers, 6 additional jobs expected by 2018

Attleboro Falls

V.H. Blackinton, Inc. was awarded $86,200 to train 60 workers, 4 additional jobs expected by 2018

Ayer

Associated Environmental Systems was awarded $167,020 to train 71 workers, 5 additional jobs expected by 2018

Bedford

Minuteman Senior Services, Inc. was awarded $57,730 to train 105 workers, 5 additional jobs expected by 2018

Toxikon was awarded $76,600 to train 46 workers

Beverly

IXYS Integrated Circuit Division was awarded $121,940 to train 57 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018

Boston

Atlas Devices was awarded $36,165 to train 13 workers, 1 additional job expected by 2018

Boston Laser Eye Institute was awarded $62,085 to train 11 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Leers Weinzapfel Associates was awarded $53,820 to train 13 workers, 4 additional jobs expected by 2018

Massachusetts Bankers Association was awarded $178,133 to train 158 workers, 4 additional jobs expected by 2018. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which includes Cambridge Savings Bank of Cambridge, East Cambridge Savings Bank of Cambridge, Pentucket Bank of Haverhill, Blue Hills Bank of Norwood, Northmark Bank of North Andover, and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston

Sullivan & McLaughlin Companies, Inc. was awarded $116,020 to train 51 workers, 5 additional jobs expected by 2018

Brewster

Ocean Edge Resort Limited Partnership was awarded $187,844 to train 410 workers, 30 additional jobs expected by 2018

Brimfield

Lake Region Medical was awarded $46,002 to train 79 workers

Brockton

South Bay Mental Health was awarded $248,665 to train 341 workers, 100 additional jobs expected by 2018

Cambridge

Hunt Alternatives, LLC & Hunt Alternative Fund was awarded $30,900 to train 46 workers, 5 additional jobs expected by 2018

IBM Corporation was awarded $250,000 to train 400 workers

Jove was awarded $91,200 to train 33 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018

Chelmsford

Teleflex was awarded $126,900 to train 122 workers

Spectro Scientific, Inc. was awarded $242,400 to train 118 workers, 12 additional jobs expected by 2018

Devens

AMSC was awarded $128,400 to train 60 workers, 10 additional jobs expected by 2018

East Longmeadow

Tiger Press was awarded $105,500 to train 65 workers, 5 additional jobs expected by 2018

Fall River

Steppingstone Incorporated was awarded $175,240 to train 97 workers, 8 additional jobs expected by 2018

Fitchburg

Mar-Lee Companies, Inc. was awarded $176,000 to train 81 workers, 8 additional jobs expected by 2018

Florence

Tapestry Health Systems, Inc. was awarded $58,585 to train 90 workers

Franklin

Plansee USA, LLC was awarded $108,025 to train 121 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018.

Greenfield

Eye & Lasik Center was awarded $61,590 to train 10 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Valley Steel Stamp, Inc. was awarded $123,120 to train 27 workers, 27 additional jobs expected by 2018.

Haverhill

Southwick Apparel was awarded $154,400 to train 56 workers

Hingham

Piab USA, Inc. was awarded $47,700 to train 30 workers

Hopkinton

PerkinElmer, Inc. was awarded $124,700 to train 105 workers

Hudson

Mach Machine, Inc. was awarded $26,655 to train 6 workers, 1 additional job expected by 2018

Rail Trail Flatbread Company was awarded $75,060 to train 81 workers, 7 additional jobs expected by 2018

Hyannis

Benchmark Dental Lab was awarded $144,944 to train 23 workers, 10 additional jobs expected by 2018.

Littleton

Bassnet Plumbing and Heating, Inc. was awarded $35,400 to train 17 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Ludlow

CSW, Inc. was awarded $27,500 to train 32 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Malden

BCD Metal Products was awarded $66,000 to train 18 workers, 5 additional jobs expected by 2018

Mansfield

New England Controls was awarded $160,270 to train 61 workers, 25 additional jobs expected by 2018

OD Tool and Cutter, Inc. was awarded $66,844 to train 24 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018

Samsonite, LLC was awarded $84,800 to train 10 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Marlborough

Automatic Specialties was awarded $57,440 to train 22 workers, 5 additional jobs expected by 2018

Mashpee

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe was awarded $162,020 to train 85 workers, 15 additional jobs expected by 2018

Medford

Century Bank and Trust was awarded $246,590 to train 181 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018

Methuen

Comfort Home Care, LLC was awarded $48,395 to train 167 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Monson

Monson Savings Bank was awarded $58,675 to train 84 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Nantucket

Bartlett’s Ocean View Farm, Inc. was awarded $120,000 to train 38 workers, 6 additional jobs expected by 2018

New Bedford

Sid Wainer & Son was awarded $156,690 to train 157 workers, 10 additional jobs expected by 2018

Newton

Eye Care and Laser Surgery of Newton-Wellesley was awarded $60,105 to train 7 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

OTA The Koomar Center was awarded $72,552 to train 57 workers, 4 additional jobs expected by 2018

Norfolk

Camger Coating Systems was awarded $59,515 to train 29 workers, 1 additional job expected by 2018

North Adams

T&M Auto Sales, Inc. was awarded $33,850 to train 10 workers, 1 additional job expected by 2018

TOG Manufacturing Company, Inc. was awarded $83,445 to train 39 workers, 1 additional job expected by 2018

North Attleboro

Automation Solutions, Inc. was awarded $104,340 to train 71 workers, 15 additional jobs expected by 2018

North Brookfield

Vibram USA was awarded $106,710 to train 98 workers, 7 additional jobs expected by 2018

Norwell

Friendship Home, Inc. was awarded $39,808 to train 50 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Pittsfield

Interprint, Inc. was awarded $38,900 to train 132 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018

Modern Mold and Tool, Inc. was awarded $41,280 to train 31 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Pocasset

Hydroid, Inc. was awarded $248,500 to train 149 workers, 10 additional jobs expected by 2018.

Quincy

South Shore Workforce Investment Board, Inc. was awarded $61,963 to train 44 workers. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which includes Airxchange of Rockland and Bendon Gear and Machine, Inc. of Rockland

Rockland

National Coating Corporation was awarded $92,300 to train 11 workers, 6 additional jobs expected by 2018

Salem

Gillian’s Foods was awarded $68,400 to train 26 workers, 7 additional jobs expected by 2018

Shrewsbury

Phoenix Communications, Inc. was awarded $178,760 to train 132 workers, 13 additional jobs expected by 2018

Southbridge

K&K Thermoforming, Inc. was awarded $50,535 to train 25 workers, 1 additional job expected by 2018

Spencer

Dienes Corporation was awarded $64,260 to train 36 workers, 5 additional jobs expected by 2018

Springfield

Big Y Foods, Inc. was awarded $217,123 to train 183 workers

Kielb Welding Enterprises, Inc. was awarded $30,385 to train 9 workers, 1 additional job expected by 2018

Sterling

Anderson Power Products was awarded $63,463 to train 76 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Sutton

Interstate Specialty Products was awarded $35,800 to train 23 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018

Taunton

CBM Industries was awarded $60,189 to train 35 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Ohlson Packaging Co. was awarded $110,001 to train 19 workers, 10 additional jobs expected by 2018

Waltham

Boston Engineering was awarded $156,610 to train 52 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Watertown

United Electric Controls Company was awarded $202,775 to train 96 workers;

West Springfield

Placon IM, Inc. was awarded $28,530 to train 28 workers, 16 additional jobs expected by 2018

Westborough

eClinicalWorks, LLC was awarded $107,800 to train 100 workers, 7 additional jobs expected by 2018

Westfield

EpiCenter was awarded $31,170 to train 29 workers, 10 additional jobs expected by 2018

Sonicron Systems Corporation was awarded $30,385 to train 9 workers, 1 additional job expected by 2018

Transcon Technologies was awarded $109,020 to train 80 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018

Whitman

Mutual Bank was awarded $79,616 to train 93 workers, 2 additional jobs expected by 2018

Woburn

Yusen Associates, Inc. was awarded $82,104 to train 60 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018

Worcester

Commerce Bank & Trust Co. was awarded $70,200 to train 179 workers, 3 additional jobs expected by 2018

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership was awarded $141,253 to train 117 workers, 30 additional jobs expected. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which includes Savage Arms, Inc. of Westfield, Belt Technologies of Agawam, Vaupell Molding & Tooling, Inc. of Agawam, Mestek, Inc. of Westfield, and Manufacturing Technology Group, Inc. of Westfield

Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership was awarded $223,200 to train 161 workers, 44 additional jobs expected by 2018. This grant was awarded to a consortium of businesses which includes New England Natural Bakers of Greenfield, Decker Machine Works, Inc. of Ashfield, The L.S. Starrett Company of Athol, and Deerfield Packaging of Turners Falls

Veterans, Inc. was awarded $140,590 to train 62 workers, 1 additional job expected by 2018.

Quincy Center traffic change tonight at 9 p.m.

Friday, June 24, 2016

Quincy Center traffic change tonight at 9 p.m.

The permanent transformation of traffic patterns in Quincy Center – eliminating four lanes of traffic in front of the historic Church of the Presidents – will take place beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 24

Contractors must move barriers, paint new traffic lines, and turn on new traffic signals – which will require detours in the Hancock Street area between Dimmock, Coddington, and Washington and Granite streets from 9 p.m. until about 5 a.m. on Saturday, June 25.

When the change takes effect, vehicular traffic will no longer travel in front of the historic First Parish Church, which is home to the crypts of John and Abigail Adams and John Quincy and Louisa Catherine Adams.  The change will for the first time allow two-way traffic around the Church, which is not only expected to improve traffic flow but dramatically improve pedestrian access in the area.

The change sets the stage for the second phase of the Adams Green park project by creating a new open space directly in front of the church. Construction on park infrastructure is underway.

A map of the traffic changes can be viewed here, and here are the highlights:

Hancock Street between the McIntyre Mall and past the Church, CIty Hall and the Hancock Cemetery becomes a public space and no longer open to vehicular traffic.

Hancock Street will take Southbound travellers around the back of the Church to go straight on Washigton, left on Coddington Street or right on Temple Street and back toward Hancock and Granite Street.

Northbound travellers will go around the Church on Temple Street with no changes in the traffic pattern.

There will also be no changes in the traffic pattern for travellers on Washington Street heading North toward Hancock Street.

Westbound drivers on Coddington can take the existing right-hand turn past Presidents Place and onto Hancock Street or can travel straight through the light onto Temple and toward Hancock. 

BCNC and CPA Graduates Its First Retail Skills Training Class of the Year

BCNC and CPA Graduates Its First Retail Skills Training Class of the Year

BOSTON, MA – The Retail Skills Training graduated its first class of five students today.  The class was provided by the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) and the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA).  The program is supported by the Neighborhoods Jobs Trust of the City of Boston.

Students received training in customer service, English relevant to customer service industry and mainstream job search skills such as using computers, interview practice, and resume writing.  Students also received one-on-one job and career coaching as part of the class.  The training lasted 10 weeks and students met Monday through Friday for two and a half hours each day.  The class serves low-income immigrants living in Boston.  Wanna Li, graduate of the class, said “Before when I interviewed for a job at an American company, I did not understand all the questions and did not feel prepared.  Now the class has given me more confidence to speak English and to do interviews in the future.”

Whole Foods Market and Roche Bros. Supermarkets opened stores in or near Chinatown and South End this past year and partnered with the Collaborative to provide industry-relevant materials and input into the curriculum, and tours of their stores.  Graduates will receive interviews with the two companies.

The next cycle for the Retail Skills Training will run from July 5th to September 9th, Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 12:00 PM.  The class is for Boston residents only and is free for participants.  Students can go to the Chinese Progressive Association at 28 Ash Street in Boston Chinatown to apply now.

麻州從政參選學習班 22人畢業 （圖片）

斐曉華 Methuen 傳授太極之道 （圖片）

中美健康峰會青年健康創新大賽 7/1 截止報名

THE 2ND YOUNG HEALTH INNOVATORS FORUM BOSTON COMPETITION PART OF THE 6TH U.S.-CHINA HEALTH SUMMIT MISSION The U.S.-China Young Health Innovators Forum (YHIF) encourages and assists young entrepreneurs and professionals to develop innovative solutions for unmet needs in the global healthcare ecosystem. FORMAT The forum comprises two pre-Summit innovation competitions, one in Boston and one in Beijing. Finalists selected from these two competitions are invited to attend the Summit and present their projects to a wide audience. WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE? • To be connected to potential investors, partners, and mentors with the access, resources, and knowledge to give your product or idea the help it needs to succeed in either country;  • To obtain and learn from personalized feedback from our expert judges and mentors; • To be eligible to win cash prizes and a trip to Xi'an, home of the Terracotta Warriors. WHO SHOULD APPLY • The Young Health Innovators Forum is looking for innovation proposals in the healthcare sector. We welcome both for-profit and social enterprise models. • At least one member in the team needs to be born after Jan 1st, 1976. WHEN AND WHERE    Boston Competition:   July 16th, 2016, Harvard University  HOW TO PARTICIPATE No registration fee required. Submit your innovation proposal (a limit of 3 pages) to competition@health-summit.org and complete the application form. REGISTER NOW Deadline: July 1, 2016 WHAT DO THE FINALISTS SAY ABOUT THE 2015 FORUM? “This expansive global view has opened the doors to many new investors we would not have otherwise met, including several from the forum who have approached us about participating in our next financing round later in 2016.”  -  Cocoon Biotech OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 U.S.-China Health Summit inc., All rights reserved. View this email in your browser | update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

North Station Area Mobility Action Plan to kick-off with June 28 public meeting

North Station Area Mobility Action Plan to kick-off with June 28 public meeting

Action plan will develop near-term solutions for improvement of area’s mobility network

BOSTON – On Tuesday, June 28 the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) will host a visioning meeting to kick-off the North Station Area Mobility Action Plan (NSAMAP). The action plan, announced in November 2015, will develop a range of near-, mid-, and long-term, implementable solutions  to improve the way people get around the North Station area, including the Bulfinch Triangle, the TD Bank Garden, Charles River Park, the Brook Courthouse, Nashua Street, and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). The team will design several near-term solutions so that they can be implemented as soon as possible.

“According to data from the 2013 American Community Survey, about half of residents in this area walk to work, while a smaller percentage use public transportation to commute to their jobs,” said BRA Director Brian Golden. “That said, 22 percent of residents drive alone, and all of those individual motorists contribute to congestion in the area. The North Station Area Mobility Action Plan will explore these and other factors to develop solutions for easing stress on the transportation network and promoting alternatives.”

“We are focused on transportation improvements that will make it safer for all users of the road,” said BTD Commissioner Gina Fiandaca. “We will work with the community to seek innovative solutions that improve traffic flow and connect with the area’s extensive network of public transportation options.”

In the same vein as recent City of Boston planning studies, the NSAMAP process will have a robust community engagement component. Community members and neighborhood stakeholders, such as large property owners and institutions, will help define current challenges in the study area and assist the city in creating solutions. City officials and community members will kick off the process with a public meeting on Tuesday, June 28 to discuss visioning and existing conditions.

The meeting will take place at the West End Museum from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., starting with an open house to be followed by a presentation and break-out information-gathering sessions. Additional opportunities for public involvement will take place throughout the remainder of 2016 with exact dates, times, and locations to be confirmed. The rough timeline is as follows:

• Late July/early August: Definition of problems and development of ideas
• Mid-September: Prioritization of ideas
• Mid-October: Turning ideas into concepts
• Early December: Release of draft action plan for review

To supplement the community workshops, an interactive NSAMAP website has been created to solicit online feedback from the community and stakeholders about the study area. The website, bit.ly/nsamap2016, allows users to share problems that they have experienced with the transportation network as well as their visions for improving mobility in the action plan area. Constituents are also encouraged to join the conversation and share their ideas on Twitter using the hashtag #NSAMAP2016. 

This effort is the result of a partnership between the BRA and BTD. Together, these agencies will work to arrive at an actionable plan, with community and stakeholder support, through a transparent and engaging process.

Eight private partners, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Delaware North (owners of the TD Garden), Equity Residential, AvalonBay Communities, Related Beal, Boston Properties, HYM Investment Group, and Trinity Financial have contributed $50,000 each, for a total of $400,000, to support the city’s efforts.

麻州泰廟 6/26 慶祝泰王登基70週年

You are cordially invited to participate the celebration The King of Thailand the Seventieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession of the Throne and The 40th Anniversary Celebration of Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the USA at WAT NAWAMINTARARACHUTIS NMR MEDITATION CENTER .

Please extend the invitation to your friends. Thanks!

Guests do not have to participate the whole program. Please come to have delicious Thai lunch. I will be there all day and it would be my great honor to tour you the Temple after lunch.

382 South St. East, Raynham, MA 02767

Website: www.watnawamin.org

Program:

Sunday 26, June, 2016

Morning session: 40th Anniversary Celebration of Council of the Thai Bhikku in USA

6:00 am Morning Chanting

7:00 am Breakfast offering to 250monks

9:30 am 10 Senior and distinguish Bhikkus chanting

10:30 am 109 Monks making an alms around the Main temple of

Wat Navamintararachutis

11:00 am Lunch offering to 250 monks

Lunch for laypeople

Afternoon session: Opening celebration the Office of 40th Anniversary of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus

13:00 am All committees of the monks, distinguish guests, and laypeople gathering at the

Pavilion of the ceremony

13:30 pm Chairman of the ceremony arrives and lights candles and incense sticks to pay

homage to the Triple Gems

Phradepbuddhisvides, President of Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the USA, presents the report

Chairman of the ceremony delivers special remarks

Massachusetts official delivers a speech and accepts a token of appreciation

from the chairman of the ceremony

Ø     Awarded the honorary plague to the benevolences of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the USA

Ø    Opening ceremony the Office of the 40th Anniversary of Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the USA 

Ø    Opening ceremony the institute of “Buddhist Vipassana College”

Gr  Group picture

Dress Code:

Formal

Parking:

On-site parking

申請聯邦資源講座 7/26

麻州總檢察官辦公室 6/27 辦能源及環境公聽會

MAYOR WALSH PRESENTS ENERGY POSITIVE (E+) GREEN BUILDING AWARD FOR HOMES IN ROXBURY

MAYOR WALSH PRESENTS ENERGY POSITIVE (E+) GREEN BUILDING AWARD FOR HOMES IN ROXBURY

Announces Request for Proposals for New E+ Homes in Dorchester

BOSTON - Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - Today, Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined representatives from Boston's utility companies and other city officials to present local design and development firm Urbanica with a green building award and a $10,000 prize for the company's successful creation of Boston's best performing energy positive homes. The three-bedroom townhomes at the corner of Highland and Marcella Streets in Roxbury produce more energy than they consume in a year, and they are certified as LEED Platinum, the US Green Building Council's highest marker for sustainable design.   All of the homes are energy efficient with highly insulated air-tight walls and windows, LED lights, solar panels and water efficient plumbing. The design features which include energy recovery ventilation ensures access to fresh air while allowing the homes to keep a consistent temperature throughout the year with minimal heating in the winter or cooling in the summer months.   "These homes embody the kind of neighborhood based innovation that helps make Boston a world leader on climate change issues," said Mayor Walsh. "I want to congratulate Urbanica on receiving this special award, and I thank all of the partners who have helped to make Boston's E+ Green Building Program successful."   Since construction was completed in 2013, the City has been working with a local company to monitor the performance of the units. Over the past year, the four townhomes, which are each 1,970 square feet, collectively had a net electricity production of approximately 12,600 kilowatt hours. Together they create enough surplus energy annually to power a typical three-bedroom home.   The homes on Highland Street demonstrate the ability to deliver deep green energy positive living at a dense urban scale.   For its part, Urbanica will donate the $10,000 prize to the Hawthorne Youth and Community Center, a beloved non-profit that serves Roxbury's Highland Park neighborhood with educational, cultural, and recreational programming for youth and adults. The center is in the midst of an expansion project that includes a deep energy retrofit.   During the event, Mayor Walsh announced a new request for proposals (RFP)for the next phase of Boston's Energy Positive (E+) Green Building Program. The city is seeking a development partner to create four additional E+ housing units on a vacant city-owned parcel in the Talbot Norfolk Triangle neighborhood of Dorchester. Responses to the RFP are due on September 19, 2016.   The E+ Green Building Program is managed jointly by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the Department of Neighborhood Development, and the Environment Department. The program's sponsors include Eversource and National Grid, which funded today's prize, as well as the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the Massachusetts USGBC Chapter, and the Boston Society of Architects/AIA.   Embue, a Boston-based company that develops hardware, software, and services for energy monitoring, received a grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to track the performance of the E+ homes on Highland Street.

Baker-Polito Administration Breaks Ground on Water Pipeline and Hydropower Turbine at Fish Hatchery

Baker-Polito Administration Breaks Ground on Water Pipeline and Hydropower Turbine at Fish Hatchery

BELCHERTOWN – June 24, 2016 – Governor Charlie Baker and Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton today joined anglers and state and local officials at the McLaughlin Fish Hatchery in Belchertown for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of a nearly mile-long water pipeline and hydropower turbine that will supply six million gallons of water daily to the hatchery, produce renewable energy and reduce the hatchery’s electric demand.

“This project will supply the necessary cold water needed by the Commonwealth’s largest trout hatchery for decades to come, while lowering operational costs, saving energy and producing a renewable source of power,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This allows for increased energy security and further reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

“This great multi-agency partnership will improve trout hatchery operations while also helping the state meet its clean energy targets,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By developing renewable resources and reducing energy use, the Commonwealth is working towards a clean, affordable and resilient energy future.”

“Once complete, this pipeline will save money by harnessing hydropower to reduce electric demand and produce clean energy, and will also help the state provide a quality trout fishing experience for local and visiting anglers to Massachusetts,” said EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Innovative projects like this one are the reason the Commonwealth continues to lead the way on clean energy, energy efficiency and the adoption of new technologies.”

The new 20-inch diameter pipeline, a nearly mile-long spur from the Massachusetts Water Resources’ (MWRA) Chicopee Valley Aqueduct, will deliver water from the Quabbin Reservoir to the McLaughlin Fish Hatchery. The pipeline will begin near the MWRA’s Brutsch Water Treatment Facility in Ware, cross Route 9 into Belchertown and parallel East Street down to the hatchery.

“We are delighted to be working with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Energy Resources on this important project,” said MWRA Executive Director Fred Laskey. “It’s a great opportunity to help the hatchery and provide a new source of renewable energy within our water system.”

Currently, the McLaughlin Fish Hatchery pumps water directly to its water distribution system from the Swift River. However, because trout prefer cold water, warm river temperatures during the hot summer months affects trout production. The new pipeline will deliver water from the cold, deep bottom of the Quabbin Reservoir, providing consistently coldwater temperatures that will enhance the hatchery’s capacity to raise trout. 

“The McLaughlin Hatchery, our largest of five hatcheries, produces almost half of the agency’s hatchery trout, about 225,000 pounds of brook, brown and rainbow trout,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner George Peterson.“The fish are then stocked in nearly 500 rivers, streams, lakes and ponds throughout Massachusetts.”

“MassWildlife’s trout stocking program has always been very popular with anglers,” said MassWildlife Director Jack Buckley. “This spring, our new trout stocking webpage with daily scheduled updates was one of the 10 most visited websites in the entire Commonwealth system.”

Gravity-fed water from the pipeline eliminates the need for energy to pump water from the river, reducing the hatchery’s electrical demand by 588,000 kilowatt hours annually. As the water travels from the higher-elevation reservoir down to the hatchery, it will pass through an approximately 60 kilowatt hydropower system, producing an estimated 440,000 kilowatt hours of renewable energy annually that will be exported to the power grid.

“Massachusetts is a national leader in clean energy and energy efficiency and our state agencies are leading the way with innovative projects like the McLaughlin Hatchery Pipeline,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “DOER is committed to working with our partners across the Commonwealth to expand clean and renewable energy solutions that save taxpayer dollars.”

“This is a great example of one project serving many purposes and providing multiple benefits,” said State Representative Susannah Whipps Lee (R-Athol). “This innovative project will benefit the residents of the Quabbin region for years to come.”

“This is a terrific example of state agencies working together in innovative ways,”said State Representative Todd Smola (R-Warren). “It seems fitting that cold water from the Quabbin will be used to raise trout that will go to stock the reservoir later on.”

“I thank the Baker Administration for recognizing the importance of our natural resources and helping to sustain our trout hatchery,” said State Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer). “Keeping a viable hatchery in an environmentally sound way is a win-win for all of us.”

“We support this pipeline project 100% and think this is a wise use of fishing license funds,” said Bill Rose, President of the Western Massachusetts Fly Fishermen. “It’s good for the trout and it looks like a great solution to the problem of varying water temperatures and the constant need to clear river debris from pump station intake screens.”

Funding for the $4.4 million project includes $2.2 million in state environmental bond funds, approximately $1 million from MWRA bonds, $700,000 from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the Department of Energy Resources’ Leading by Example Program, and $500,000 from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s (MassWildlife) Inland Fish and Game Fund.  MWRA awarded a contract to Waterline Industries Corporation to build the pipeline and the hydropower project.