3 minute read
President’s Message
2023: New Year, Similar Goals
With 2023 underway, the holiday season is now behind us. I hope everyone was able to celebrate the season and enjoy time with family and friends. Now we are into the time of year where many members are hoping to see snow in the forecast so that plows can get out on the road, while others are hoping to find a little time to escape the snow and head to points south. For UCANE, January means the continuation of the momentum we had in the past year, and looking forward to a busier 2023.
Massachusetts now has a new Governor and Administration for the first time in eight years. UCANE is fortunate to have established realtionships with Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, having worked with them in their prior roles as Attorney General and Mayor of Salem, respectively. But the Administration goes well beyond the Governor and LG, as there will be several new agency and department heads and staffers. This includes MassDEP, where longtime UCANE friend and MassDEP CFO Steve McCurdy has retired, and also moving on is Commissioner Marty Suuberg, who has been a great partner to us, and always responsive to our concerns. On behalf of UCANE, I’d like to thank them both and wish them well in their future endeavors.
There will also be significant turnover in the State Legislature. While leadership remains the same, there are several new House and Senate members and Committee Chairs that will be appointed. While all this transition creates a lot of work, it also presents a tremendous opportunity to foster more partnerships and advocates for our industry. We have the chance to introduce UCANE to them and let them know about our priorities and the critical utility infrastructure work our members do, and hopefully they will become advocates for our priorities.
This month is also the beginning of a new two-year legislative session on Beacon Hill. UCANE once again will file legislation on behalf of our industry. Our legislative priorites this year include a dedicated funding mechanism for water infrastructure through a connection fee, payment and availability of police details, workforce development, and MBE/ WBE issues. Approximately 8,000 proposals in total will be filed this session, and UCANE will be sure to keep an eye out for any proposal that may negatively affect our industry and our businesses.
MassDEP also recently released its draft Intended Use Plan (IUP), which is a preliminary list of approved water infrastructure projects using funds financed through the Clean Water Trust. While this is a draft list, highlights include $878 million for 59 new Clean Water construction projects and approximately $300 million is being offered to finance 38 new Drinking Water construction projects. Overall, approximately $1.278 billion has been authorized for new, multi-year, and planning projects. This is the second year of a large increase in authorized spending, which reflects the multi-year impact from the federal infrastructure law (BIL) and stimulus funds (ARPA). (Draft lists can be found beginning on page 25.)
Along with the additional project authorization, there is also significant funding available for communities to qualify for principal forgiveness and grants, something UCANE has strongly advocated for as an incentive for municipalities to apply and approve these critical projects. I would like to thank MassDEP for getting this list out two months earlier than last year, which should significantly help municipalities and awarding authorities with their planning! While this is welcome news, UCANE will continue to work with MassDEP and other stakeholders to ensure the maximum number of projects are approved and put out to bid as soon as possible. As I’ve stated before, our number one priority is to avoid delays in project approvals caused by supply chain and inflationary issues.
UCANE will once again be offering safety seminars on confined space/competent person and asbestos cement pipe certification this year. Be on the lookout for emails with the exact dates and locations. I encourage members to take advantage of these classes. Any employee handling an asbestos pipe MUST be certified every five years. Also, if there is a class or training that you would like to see UCANE offer, please contact the office.
So 2023 is off to a fast start. Since the Patriots will not be involved in any chase for a Super Bowl this year, being busy can make the long winter days pass by a little more quickly. But rest assured that no matter what time of year it is, UCANE will continue to
actively advocate on behalf of our industry. n
