DEP.BWR.NOIA.BEST.VALUE.AWARD.WINTHROP.1.9.20.docx

Charles D. Baker Governor

Karyn E. Polito Lieutenant Governor

Kathleen A. Theoharides Secretary

Martin Suuberg Commissioner

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A BEST VALUE GRANT

Purpose of Notice: In accordance with the State Comptroller’s Procurement/Contracts Policy for State Grants, Federal Sub-Grants and Subsidies, dated September 8, 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is publishing this notice of its intent to make a Best Value Grant Award in the amount of $150,000.00 to the Town of Winthrop for services related to enhancement of public access to the Boston Harbor waterfront and expanding water transportation to, from, or within Boston Harbor, in accordance with the Declaration of Trust for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston Harbor Water Transportation Expendable Trust (“Water Transportation Expendable Trust”) and is also consistent with the mitigation requirements of Chapter 91 Waterways License Number 11902.

The details of this Notice of Intent to Award a Best Value Grant are as follows:

Name of Selected Grantee: The Town of Winthrop (the Town), 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, Massachusetts 02152. The Town seeks funding to subsidize a portion of the operating expenses incurred in connection with the Winthrop Town Ferry’s 2018 season (that covered the time period of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019). The Winthrop Town Ferry service was initiated in 2016 to provide connectivity for the Boston region’s residents and visitors between Winthrop, Quincy, Boston Harbor and the Boston Harbor Islands. The Town is a governmental municipality which has provided ferry services for the past three years, and the goals and ongoing mission of Ferry service include the following: to meet the needs of their riders by providing new water transportation destinations within, to, or from the Boston Harbor area each year; to ensure that the Ferry’s captains and crew provide excellent service; to consistently improve and maintain punctual departures from and arrivals to the Ferry’s destinations; and to promote an increase in ridership to and from the Seaport to other areas on Boston Harbor through offering cost-competitive ticket fares. For more information see the following link: https://www.town.winthrop.ma.us/ferry.

The Grant Amount: As noted above, the Grant funding is in the total amount of $150,000.00. MassDEP’s Grant funding is from its Water Transportation Expendable Trust.

The Purpose of the Grant Funding: The Water Transportation Expendable Trust was established in 2018 to accept and administer funding received from all such Chapter 91 Waterways Licenses requiring payment of funds to enhance public access to the Boston Harbor waterfront and expand water transportation to, from, or within Boston Harbor in order to mitigate for unavoidable interference with certain water-related public rights caused by licensed development. The Trust Funds may be used or expended to reimburse and/or pay any governmental, quasi-governmental or non-profit entity for costs it may incur for activities in support of these purposes.

The purpose of this Grant funding is to provide $150,000.00 as a reimbursement in partial support of the Winthrop Town Ferry 2018 season to effectuate public access to the waterfront as described above.

The Scope of Grant Performance to be Achieved or Funded Under the Grant: The Grant shall provide partial support for the Winthrop Town Ferry 2018 season expenses for the activities that occurred between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019 . The Town Ferry serviced 20,752 passengers, in addition to offering one free round-trip to all residents and/or employees who work in the Seaport District. The Grant funds will partially reimburse operating costs associated with the Town Ferry’s 2018 season, including the salaries of the captains and crew of the vessel and for vessel fuel expenditures.

The Duration of the Grant: MassDEP will provide the Town with the $150,000.00 disbursement from the Water Transportation Expendable Trust immediately upon the conclusion of the Notice time period, in accordance with the Comptroller’s requirements.

Justification why this Best Value Grant Award is Fair, Reasonable, and in the Best Interests of MassDEP and the Commonwealth: As noted above, the Town ferry serviced 20,752 passengers between and within Boston Harbor during the 2018 season. This Grant Award to the Town will assist the Ferry service in continuing its mission to promote and enhance public access to Boston Harbor. The Town has already successfully implemented this program for three years, and the Grant funding will provide partial support for these ongoing activities, which satisfies the goals and requirements of the Water Transportation Expendable Trust.

This information is available in alternate format. Contact Michelle Waters-Ekanem, Director of Diversity/Civil Rights at 617-292-5751.

TTY# MassRelay Service 1-800-439-2370 MassDEP Website: www.mass.gov/dep

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