He dries (with a little help from his friend)

He dries (with a little help from his friend)
$1M earmark boon to ex-rep’s home
Dave Wedge By Dave Wedge
Thursday, March 27, 2008
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1083143

U.S. Rep. Bill Delahunt(D) has pushed through $1.1 million in federal earmarks for a controversial Cohasset pond clean-up meant to stop flooding in a pricey waterfront neighborhood where his former congressman pal lives, the Herald has learned.

The taxpayer-funded project would convert Treat’s Pond from fresh to salt water but would also alleviate widespread flooding on Atlantic Avenue, where Delahunt’s longtime friend, former U.S. Rep. Amory “Amo” Houghton, 81, lives part time in an a historic estate with his wife, Priscilla.

“There’s terrible flooding down there that not only affects my wife’s house, but many houses down there,” Houghton, a Republican from New York who left the House in 2005, told the Herald. “Somebody’s got to do something.”

The project dates back to 2003 ,when Delahunt and Houghton met informally with members of the Army Corps of Engineers shortly before Congress approved $300,000 for a study of the pond. During two of the meetings, Priscilla Houghton served croissants to the engineers, according to internal ACE e-mails obtained by the Herald.

Since those early meetings, Delahunt has secured $1.1 million in federal earmarks for the $1.7 million project, which is part of an ongoing federal salt marsh restoration effort.

The project calls for a new pipeline into the nearby harbor to allow salt water to circulate into the pond to improve the ecosystem. The new pipe would also reduce flooding in the area.

But opponents say the project is a sham because the pond has been freshwater for as long as anyone can remember. Critics also point out that Selectman Robert Dormitzer, who supports the project, also lives on Atlantic Avenue.

“Treat’s Pond has always been freshwater. It’s been sleight of hand to call it a salt water restoration project,” said opponent Peter Whittemore, who lives in the neighborhood. “It’s a flood control project for two very connected, very well-off politicians.”

The plan has hit a snag because the town needs to come up with $300,000. If that happens, the state could be asked to chip in the other $300,000. Cohasset voters will decide Saturday whether to approve their share.

Houghton, the wealthy former head of Corning Glass company, acknowledged he met with officials while he was in Congress to try to obtain federal money for the pond but denied any personal motivation.

“I really don’t benefit from this. It’s a community issue and Priscilla happens to be a part of this thing,” he said. “I talked to people (in Washington) and said if there was any extra money available, I would help Bill Delahunt out.”

Delahunt spokesman Mark Forest said the congressman handled the project like any other federal aid request and noted that it had to meet strict guidelines, including a requirement for local funding.

“The federal funds are available ,but if the town does not approve the project then nothing goes forward,” Forest said.