Selectmen seek investigation into Templeton Municipal Light and Water Department
Kerry O'BrienNews Staff Writer
TEMPLETON — In reaction to Templeton Municipal Light and Water Department’s plans to raise the water rate and customer service fee, the Board of Selectmen are sending a letter to the state Office of the Investigator General requesting a full investigation of the department.
“It’s unfortunate it’s such a dramatic increase all at once,” said selectman Douglas Morrison. “To take a huge hit like that it’s not really fair.”
Earlier this month the water department informed their approximately 2,200 customers — about 60 percent of the town — that their water rates will increase by 23 percent and the customer service fee will go up $21 to $49 beginning in December.
The department manager John Driscoll said the increases are needed to pay for necessary updates and repairs.
However town officials question why the department needs more money.
According to a 2012 study done by Tighe & Bond on water rates throughout the state, Templeton’s is the highest.
Advisory Board Chair Wilfred Spring stated that according to the study the average yearly water bill in the state is around $500 whereas in Templeton it is $800 — before the planned rate increase.
“There is some disparity,” Mr. Spring said.
The board has unanimously approved a draft letter to the investigator general, requesting an investigation in the Templeton Light and Water Department’s accounts — specifically including the John R. S. LeClerc Wind Turbine and the Massachusetts Water Works Association, among others.
Selectmen declined to provide copies of the draft letter.
The selectmen also unanimously approved sending a second letter to the state Department of Revenue regarding whether the light and water department is required to act as an enterprise fund.
Thirteen years ago, legislation known as Chapter 93 in the Special Acts of 2000 brought the water department under the purview of the light department, instead of the town board of selectmen.
The light department asserts that the special act supersedes state law, therefore the department does not technically have to follow state laws for an enterprise fund of the town.
“(There’s been a) lack of direction on how we are to construe that law,” selectman Kenn Robinson said. “This could provide a lot of clarity. I don’t think it should be looked at as anti-light and water. The purpose is to provide clarity.”
Vote Mitchell for selectman!
ReplyDeleteRemember the past to ensure a better future.
The nuclear option should NEVER be used.
As i was reading the "water rate" study under background it states that a 16 " water main break early this year cost 33,000.00 to repair. It made no mention of the 33,000.00 the water department in the past has paid the light dept for rent. How much more will this town department charge the other town departments for the service they provide. I think the time for a pilot payment has come for the water department so as to cover the towns cost it has for the water department to be here.
ReplyDeleteI think the Light Company has all of the money they take in spoken for. I know one thing, we had better pray that wind turbine does not die, because if it does we cannot afford to fix it. The thing with this business is there are to many things we do not know, and I do not like that feeling. Yes they did charge the Water Department rent, and they have to many people sucking money out of that department for salaries. When any business is in trouble they will usually see what they can do to become more efficient. Not this bunch, they will just charge the rate payers more. There are rules about how often they can change the rates, but they can keep charging more and more for "made up fees". This is not good, and there is not a thing we can do unless we make some changes in they way this business is run. As people start having problems making ends meet, I think they will be more open to making those changes. Bev.
ReplyDeleteVOTE FOR DIANE add some class to the BOS
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