News In Brief

Massachusetts officials forge a plan on Boston pollution

With three days left before a judge's deadline, State House and Senate negotiators reached agreement Monday on a plan to modernize sewage treatment facilities and reduce pollution of Boston Harbor.

The judge had threatened a court takeover of the harbor cleanup if the legislature didn't get a completed bill to the governor by Thursday. Such a move could prompt radically higher water and sewer rates residents if a court-appointed receiver pushes for an immediate cleanup plan, regardless of cost.