April 1, 2004

ROMNEY ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO SPUR SMART GROWTH PROJECTS

Praises Town of Littleton for sustainable development commitment

LITTLETON- Governor Mitt Romney today announced new initiatives to help communities avoid sprawl by using smart growth strategies to boost housing production, preserve open space and ensure safe drinking water for the families of Massachusetts.

“To keep Massachusetts economically competitive and to improve our quality of life, it is important to coordinate state resources and implement new policies which encourage sustainable development, especially around town centers where existing infrastructure is already in place,” said Romney.

Romney made the announcement in Littleton to celebrate the town’s pursuit of a smart growth agenda.

Through the oversight of the state’s Office for Commonwealth Development (OCD), Romney announced two environmental regulatory changes that will help promote new housing development in communities like Littleton without compromising environmental concerns. They are:

Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Changes

Under changes to the SRF program, the DEP will eliminate current restrictions which limit flow to only 25% of a new sewer line’s capacity if new developments are proposed around town centers. Current regulations have that 25% limit in place because extending new sewer lines into undeveloped areas can induce sprawl. This SRF change will now allow towns with inadequate or no sewer systems to support dense development in their town centers.

Fast track permitting

The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) has an initiative underway to fast track the permitting process by as much as 25 % for proposals that promote sustainable development. EOEA is developing a policy that will use criteria to identify sustainable development projects. Those projects will have the benefit of a single point of contact that will steer the project through the various permit reviews at the agency level. In addition, MEPA will enhance and streamline its review process to accelerate decisions on projects that meet the sustainable development criteria.

“Today’s announcements by the Governor will help communities like Littleton to meet our future smart growth goals,” said Secretary Douglas Foy of the Office of Commonwealth Development.

Romney created the Office of Commonwealth Development (OCD) when he took office in 2003 to administer and coordinate the functions of existing agencies which implement state housing, transportation, environmental and energy programs and policies. OCD’s mission is to ensure that those agencies maximize opportunities for each program to leverage other important cross agency goals to increase efficiency and promote smart growth in Massachusetts.

Romney also announced a $250,000 grant for Littleton to help protect 85 acres at the Prouty Farm estate for conservation.

"We are very grateful to the Governor and the OCD for recognizing Littleton's strong interest in pursuing smart growth strategies in implementing the Town's master plan,” said Littleton Board of Selectmen Chairman Joseph A. Cataldo. “The Town believes it can serve as a model for other communities in this regard and eagerly anticipates the Commonwealth's efforts to assist us with initiatives in the areas of open space and historic preservation, affordable housing production, groundwater protection, economic development, transportation and infrastructure."