Boston Council Committee Advances $5.66 Million in Pool Repair and Building Decarbonization Grants

BOSTON -- March 25, 2024, Boston's council committee moves $5.66 million in federal grants for pool repairs and building decarbonization. The City Council Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks, chaired by Councillor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, advanced two grants Monday: a $5 million aquatics facilities award from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, passed through the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, to fund state-of-good-repair work at city pools, and a $659,990 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support BIRDO compliance assistance for under-resourced building owners. Commissioner of Property Management Evan Shelton said the city is on track to open 15 of its 22 pools this summer and that the $5 million must be spent by December 2026. Director of Carbon Neutrality Hannah Payne estimated the BIRDO grant could serve roughly 60 buildings at approximately $10,000 each, with at least 40 percent of funds directed to federal Justice 40 neighborhoods. BCYF Commissioner Martha Rivera confirmed the city is still recruiting roughly 54 lifeguards to reach its target of 86, offering signing and retention bonuses to fill the gap.