Citywide Drainage Project Should Substantially Finish This Year

The ambitious Melrose Department of Public Works project to improve drainage around the city, particularly in Ward 2, should be substantially completed by the end of the year, Patrick Dello Russo, city auditor and chief financial officer, told the Board of Aldermen on Monday.

The three-year project was developed in the wake of the Mother's Day floods in 2006, which devastated the city and led to some residents being rescued from their homes by boat.

Alderman at-Large , had filed an order asking city officials whether all the funds in the $6 million bond approved by the aldermen in March 2007 had been expended yet.

Dello Russo said that DPW Superintendent Bob Beshara provided him a breakdown and that, so far, $4.67 million has been spent. What's left is $1.68 million to spend in the following areas:

• $1.52 million in Ward 2, much of it for paving sidewalks and installing new curbs, which should be completed this December.
• $40,000 in Ward 6, which should also be completed this December.
• $2,000 for Wyoming Cemetery, to be completed by December.
• $120,000 for miscellaneous work, scheduled to be completed by next spring.

The city has also received $289,700 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants and reimbursements for the work, Dello Russo reported.

"It's (Beshara's) belief that by December of 2010, all these funds will be expended and all will be completed," he said.

Conn asked if contracts have been awarded for all the unfinished work. Dello Russo replied that he did not have a direct answer, but that given the time frame provided by Beshara, "I'd be surprised if most of this hasn't somehow been decided."

City officials have touted the success of the drainage projects undertaken in the last three years, particularly after the heavy rains and flooding in March.

Conn said, "This obviously was one of our most successful ventures in my years here. It's money well spent."