Magazine Beach CSO Storage Tank

At a glance

What: a policy order from Zusy, Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui and Vice Mayor Azeem asking the MWRA to reconsider its plan for a 10-million-gallon combined sewer overflow storage tank beneath Magazine Beach.
Where it stands: adopted as amended 9-0 on Oct 20 after all councillors were added as co-sponsors. The City Manager has objected to the MWRA in writing.
Next: the MWRA is to present to neighborhood groups on Oct 27 (time not confirmed in the recording).

Concern: 8.3 acres of the 17-acre park as a construction site for 6 to 8 years, about 35 truck trips a day, and permanent fencing and a head house. Alternatives raised: Goose Meadow, or a smaller tank.
City Manager Huang said permanent fencing was never shared with the city, which supports CSO reduction but not loss of the park; the city, legislature and DCR are not expected to support it.

State Rep. Mike Connolly told the council that DCR, the state senator, the City Manager and neighborhood leaders agree the park should not be sacrificed for a water storage tank, and said he had organized a meeting with the MWRA that Thursday. A resident also asked the MWRA to reconsider.

About 12 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-20 - Continued City Council Meeting	11
2026-10-19 - Regular City Council Meeting	1

2026-11-02 - Agenda for the regular meeting includes a City Manager letter (CMA 2026-304, Awaiting Report 2026-66) on discussions with the MWRA about CSO infrastructure and Magazine Beach; outcome not yet posted. See 2026-11-02 - City Council Regular Meeting. A CSO Control Plan draft update meeting was held Oct 28: 2026-10-28 - CSO Control Plan Draft Updated Meeting.
2026-10-22 - Added Oct 19 public comment from the meeting transcript.
2026-10-20 - Policy order adopted as amended 9-0 with all councillors as co-sponsors.

Charles River Sewer Overflow Plan (City sewer overflow plan, December 2025 report)