Wastewater Incompetence

During the Recall campaign, I repeatedly raised the
issue of the need for a separate

WATER/SEWER ADVISORY COMMISSION

The knee-jerk reaction amongst the Town Rabble
was to blabber and sputter.

And then the Town Treasurer put the BOS on notice
that the water rates were at the break even point.

In other words, since rates and fees had NOT been
periodically reviewed and increased gradually based
on projections of costs, the 'Enterprise' was about
to begin loosing money and at risk of being subsidized
by taxpayers not participating in the system.

Does anyone recall Selectman Spataro patting himself on
the back for single-handedly stopping the Lakeville
IMA because Middleboro MIGHT be loosing money?
He didn't know for a fact as Water Commissioner under
the Town Charter, nor did the rest of the Board.

Article 10 on the 11/5 STM Warrant provided for
$200,000 for 'SLUDGE DISPOSAL.'

Those of you too disinterested to attend the STM
didn't hear the admission that, since the Town-owned
landfill fiasco is currently closed, Waste Water customers
must absorb the cost of disposal at other facilities.

Middleboro's landfill was charging below market rates
for disposal.

Others have argued that the landfill, if properly
managed, should have generated revenue for the
Town, yet Middleboro chose to give it away.

The Finance Committee has called attention to
the cost of the landfill fiasco created by the BOS.

Is $200,000 a pittance?

And what of the outstanding Weston & Sampson
invoices? Would it have made sense to sign a
contract predicated on a pending GRANT instead
of proceeding with the work, being denied the
grant and stuck with the bills?

Might it be time for a separate Water/Sewer
Advisory Commission ?

There is an upcoming Water Workshop to
address SOME of the issue. You might want
to attend afterall, it's your resource.