Special Election: Water department management, budget decisions on agenda
Eryn DionNews Staff Writer
TEMPLETON --- With January’s Special Election fast approaching, the vacant Board of Selectmen seat isn’t the only issue set to appear on the agenda for voter consideration.
In addition to electing a new member to the board, voters will also be asked their opinion on a non-binding referendum to rescind a vote taken over 13 years ago.
The question specifically deals with Chapter 93 of the Acts of 2000, which placed the town of Templeton’s water department under the jurisdiction of the Templeton Municipal Light Commission. Previously, the Board of Selectmen controlled the water department and when the measure was put forward, the transfer passed.
Since that time, the management of the water department has been a hot-button issue, leaving many on both sides frustrated.
“With Templeton’s town government in the shape that it’s in, a lot of us wonder how or why they still have time to put something together like this, as if it is an emergency,” said Templeton’s Municipal Light & Water Department Manager John Driscoll. “This vote could easily be replaced by a public hearing on the matter.”
While the vote itself is non-binding, the language used implies further action may be taken by the board based on the results. Members have not hidden their dissatisfaction with the Light Department’s management and their desire to bring the water department back under their control.
Last May and June similar binding measures were brought forward, with each attempt soundly defeated. Mr. Driscoll said he is confident the latest non-binding referendum will suffer the same fate.
“But if it isn’t, and the majority of Templeton voters want the water department run by the same group who just discovered they are missing $505,000 after getting an override passed for another $560,000, then they will have to take it over the correct way.”
The Special Election is being held to replace Virginia Wilder, who vacated her seat in May. The term will expire in May 2014, giving the newly elected winner four months in office. There was talk of holding the election in June, then October, but the board was concerned over spending the money on an election for a term only lasting six months.
The election will be held on January 14th, with polls open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Narragansett Middle School.
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Please refer to the Left Sidebar for information on Chapter 93 Acts of 2000
Information
Regarding Non Binding Question
Chapter
93 Acts of 2000
Letter
to Water Customers – 23 % increase for FY 14…more increases planned to pay
for prior projects that have been bonded for 40 years
Tighe
& Bond Water Rate Study – no new capital improvements listed. Where is
the capital improvement plan? Why weren’t the 60 year-old water mains on
Baldwinville Rd replaced BEFORE
Baldwinville Rd was repaved?
Water
Financial Statements – page 2 “We have audited the accompanying statements
of net assets of the Templeton,
Massachusetts, Municipal Water Department (an enterprise fund of the Town of
Templeton, Massachusetts)…
Return
of Money to Casella from Water Department
On
November 13, 2008 a check was made out to Casella
Waste Systems in the amount of $369,681.40. This “settlement” was never brought before town meeting even
though it is significantly more than $1,000. (See Bylaw Article VII – Legal Affairs
section 2)
The
invoice
itemizes the total as $142,671.47 from account 29-3-350-000 (FB Zone 2
Delineation Water department) and $227,009.93 from account 63-3-300-000
(Landfill Enterprise Account). There was no explanation of how the water
department came by this money from Casella. There is no record of a town
meeting vote giving any money to the water department for the Zone II delineation.
Now
in December 2013 water rates have increased 23%...because there isn’t enough
money to run the water department.
Timeline
for Chapter 93 Acts of 2000
Transfer of
water department operations to Light department
July 6, 1999
Light Department minutes.
August 3,
1999 Light Department minutes . Sean Hamilton states the merger of Water
with light will be beneficial for Sewer department.
August 16,
1999 Water meeting (BOS)
September
7,1999 Light Department minutes.
Reference is made to a negative letter from Chris Ryan(town coordinator
at that time). “A motion was made by Sean Hamilton, seconded by Dana Blais and
unanimously voted to have Attorney Jack Ferriter review the proposal and draft
a legal petition for insertion in the town warrant or town ballot.” In my opinion this is where this proposal to
merge water with light goes from a friendly merger to a hostile takeover.
October 5,
1999 Light Department minutes.
November 2,
1999 Light Department minutes.
November
15, 1999 Water minutes (BOS)
December 7,
1999 Light Department minutes. On page 3 of these minutes is a reference to
PCBs in the river near the wells of the water system of which the Light
department is trying to take control. Gregg Edwards is listed as a
commissioner.
December
20, 1999 Water meeting (BOS)
January 10,
2000 Light Department minutes.
February 1,
2000 Light Department minutes.
February
14, 2000 Water meeting (BOS)
February
22, 2000 Water meeting (BOS)
March 7,
2000 Light Department minutes.
Meeting
attendance 84 total. 39 voters from Precinct A. 45 voters from Precinct B. the
warrant article to merge water with light passes Town meeting.
Timeline
Continued
April 4,
2000 Light Department minutes. Discussion of letter from Attorney John
Ferriter regarding how to operate
the water enterprise fund. “Presently the Selectmen submit articles for
any repairs or projects which is not necessary.” Bottom
of page 1.
May 2, 2000
Light Department minutes. Page 2 “ The manager [Mr. Skelton] told the
Commissioners that if the merger takes place we will have some serious work to
return the Water Department to a viable entity of the Town. The Commissioners
agreed but felt it can be accomplished.”
June 6,
2000 Light Department minutes. Discussion of ballot election for merger of
light and water now that the special legislation is approved.
June 20,
2000. Light Department minutes.
July 3,
2000 Light Department minutes. Ballot election set for September 12, 2000.
August 8,
2000 Light Department minutes.
September
5, 2000 Light Department minutes. Check out “Other Business”. Then go back
and read the paragraph beginning…” The Commissioners and the Manager discussed
a water meeting they attended at the selectmen’s office.”
September
11, 2000 Light Department minutes. “The Manager received a phone call from
the Town clerk informing the Light Department that the vote merge the Light and
Water Departments passed by a vote of 230 in favor and 83 against.” Departments to merge on January 9, 2001.
The Light department paid for the ballot election to merge
the Light and Water departments. Schedule of
Payments to Treasurer.
October 3, 2000
Light Department minutes.
October 30,
2000 Light Department minutes open session. Advertise for a water
superintendent.
Timeline
Continued
October 30,
2000 Light Department minutes executive session. In my opinion this is where the management structure of the Light and
Water department becomes unsustainable. Organizational structure – An Electrical
Superintendent, A Water Superintendent and the Manager oversees it all. Old
structure before “hostile takeover” one person – Harry Aldrich was the Highway
Superintendent, Water Superintendent and Sewer Superintendent. Bruce Evans
operated the treatment plant.
November 7,
2000 Light Department minutes open session. On page 2, “The Manager updated
the Commissioners in regard to meeting he attended with the Sewer Commissioners
to discuss the sewer billings and how the information would flow from
department to department.” On page
3 the Commissioners vote themselves a raise.
November 7,
2000. Light Department minutes executive session. Everyone gets a raise!
Not even legally in charge of the water department.
December 5,
2000. Light Department minutes. On page 2, …”The sewer commissioners voted
to contribute $25,000 toward phase I which is the replacement of 200 water
meters that are presently in stock at the Highway department.”
January 2,
2001. Light Department minutes.
Other
Supporting Documents
Legal
invoices paid by the light department to take over water department.
“Citizen
Petition” signature sheets gathered by the Light department to call for a
special town meeting to request special legislation to merge water department
with the light department.
A
Letter from the Inspector General, Gregory Sullivan, dated December 6, 2007
promoting “accountability and responsibility in our public utilities.”
References
“An
Investigation into the use of certain bond funds by the North Attleborough
Electric Department (12/05).
The feedback from a non-binding referendum question is important.
ReplyDeleteThe BOS has enough to deal with. If Chapter 93 Acts of 2000 were rescinded, the job of overseeing the public water supply does NOT have to fall to the BOS
Consider the possibilities of a water / sewer department or a DPW....with a set of commissioners to over see water/sewer possibly highway. Imagine the possibility of the water and sewer department working cooperatively and sharing resources .
One bill for both water and sewer.
It is possible.
or you could have the light and water take over the sewer/highway dept wouldn't that make a fun time ..jusst look at all the raises they would get !!
ReplyDeleteimagine those rates! The only way this works is by raising rates. Overrides require voter support. They can , have and will continue to raise the rates to support their structural deficits.
DeleteVOTE DIANE HALEY-BROOKS for better future
ReplyDeleteVote Mitchell for Selectman.
ReplyDeleteRemember the past to ensure a better future.
The nuclear option should NEVER be used.
To ensure a better future VOTE DIANE HALEY-BROOKS so that the past is not repeated
ReplyDeleteVote Mitchell for Selectman.
ReplyDeleteRemember the past to ensure a better future.
The nuclear option should NEVER be used.