City of Gloucester Enters Consent Decree for Improvements at Water Treatment Plant

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Mayor Greg Verga announces that the City of Gloucester has entered a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to perform facility improvements and secondary treatment updates at the City’s Water Pollution Control Facility on Essex Avenue.

This decree cements the City’s commitment to improving water quality in Gloucester, and represents the City’s largest investment in the plant since it opened in 1984. Upgrades will bring state-of-the-arttreatment processes and increase resilience at the existing facility.

The plant will operate throughout construction.

“This project is a major step toward improving our infrastructure in our community,” Mayor Verga said. “This is an incredible investment in our residents and environment. I am proud to take this project on to do the most good for the most people over the most time. This is also a major investment into economic development; these upgrades to the wastewater treatment facility will make Gloucester a more inviting and attractive location for current and future businesses.”

Under terms of the decree, the City must:

  • Submit to the EPA and DEP a formal timeline of preliminary design, permitting, construction phasing and funding authorizations by May 15, 2023;
  • Submit to the EPA and DEP final design plant for the plant by Dec. 31, 2024;
  • Finish construction by March 31, 2028.

The plant’s outflow currently is sent several miles out into Massachusetts Bay. Secondary treatment will result in improved effluent water quality, thereby providing benefits to the coastal environment.

Last fall the City received a $2 million federal appropriation to study options for plant improvements, which was secured by U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey.

It is believed the project could cost $100 million. The City is actively engaging with state and federal agencies to identify infrastructure funding opportunities, including the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The City intends to use $10 million in ARPA funding for plant upgrades.

The Department of Public Works will oversee the project. Environmental Partners Group, LLC, is serving as Owner’s Project Manager.

Project updates will be provided regularly on the City’s website.

Welcome to the 2023 Bluefin Blowout! Captain: Junior Dunne Boat: Easy Scrapin Registration Is Open!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Welcome to the 2023 Bluefin Blowout!
Captain: Junior Dunne
Boat: Easy Scrapin

Registration is now open!
https://bit.ly/2023CaptainRegistration

July 24 – Bluefin Bash Fundraiser
July 25-27 – Bluefin Blowout Tournament
*Tournament dates subject to change

Everything Old Is New Again

Posted on by Pat D

We had a lovely stroll around Newburyport a few days ago. One of our favorite stops is the Oldies Marketplace at Rear Water St. It recently reopened for the season with limited hours. It’s a large barn kind of building with several stalls offering up a wide variety of “oldies”. You can lose yourself for hours. I am always looking for Gloucester history and sometimes find I have better luck finding it when I am NOT in Gloucester. Though I did not find Gloucester that day, I did find Rockport represented in an old glass bottle. It can be a little chilly in there so be prepared if you stop by. I did find several little items that caught my eye. It’s a fun way to spend some time.

Economic Outlook Breakfast with Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll on March 8 at Cruiseport Gloucester

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce's avatarCape Ann Community

Only a Few Spots Remain! Sign up today so you don’t miss out.

Economic Outlook Breakfast Forum with Guest Speaker Kim Driscoll, Lieutenant Governor

Wednesday, March 8 | 7:30 – 9 AM

Cruiseport Gloucester (Lower Level)

$45 Members | $55 Non-members

Pre-registration is required.

Please join the Greater Cape Ann Chamber for a full buffet breakfast at Cruiseport Gloucester and listen to a presentation on the Economic Outlook of the region by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, followed by a brief Q & A session.

The breakfast session is limited to 90 attendees so reserve your spot now.Cost is $45 for Chamber members and$55 for non-members.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor:
Beauport Financial

Gold Sponsor:
Cape Ann Savings Bank

Supporting Sponsor:
Applied Materials

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I had a simple set of rules for Kate before we left for our trip-

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Don’t bring any makeup, dresses, high heels, just bring shorts, bikinis and flip flops.

Current situation:

Meteorological Spring — pat morss

Posted on by patmorss

March 1st was the beginning of Meteorological spring. We’ll see if Punxsutawney Phil is right that there will be no spring until after the Vernal equinox on March 21st.

A singing Cardinal is a good sign for the Meteorological spring
The early crocuses are another
But we have a couple of storms a week. Nun 4 off the lighthouse rides them out
The US Coast Guard is always out to practice. Sea birds in the foreground
After her storm refuge in Gloucester (see Pat D’s post), ‘Ile de Molene’ is out on the European cable
A double-ended Canada Goose is feeding on land at Niles Pond
This Mallard needs a napkin
The female is perfectly camouflaged
A male Hooded Merganser arrived on the pond and the women are after him
He looks back, wondering if he made the right choice
He concludes he did

2023 Performance Camp: Disney’s FROZEN JR at Cape ann YMCA!!

Posted on by Catherine

The Cape Ann YMCA Performance Camp led by award winning professional actress, director and arts educator Heidi Dallin is back for Summer 2023. Dallin and her team of theater professionals / arts educators including Rin Wolter, Tyler Garofalo, Sarah Vandewalle, Jenny Hersey, TS Burnham, Martina Gallo and Julia Drost are set for another exciting summer at the Cape Ann YMCA culminating in 2 public performances of Disney’s Frozen JR!

Download the flyer below. Contact Heidi Dallin at dallinh@northshoreymca.org with any questions.

“Back for year 2 – Disney’s Frozen JR at Cape Ann YMCA 2023 Performance Camp. Just 7 spots left for our journey to Arendelle!”

Heidi Dallin
Flyer for DISNEY’S Frozen Jr. Cape Ann YMCA Performance summer Camp 2023Download

Cheers To March at Tonno

Posted on by Pat D

To continue my limited series honoring March and St. Patrick’s Day, cheers to Tonno on Main St. for their version of Irish Coffee! Rich in flavor and very satisfying as we awaited the recent storm huddled by the fireplace. Unlike Netflix, I cannot promise when the next Irish Coffee post will drop, but rest assured you will see another soon!