The Board of Selectmen heard from Kathy Dunphy and Joe Lynch last night regarding rate increases being set by the MWRA. Milton is recognizing one of the highest increases of the 61 participating cities and towns. The average rate increase is 3.9%, Milton’s is 8.5%.
s. Dunphy is on the advisory board of the MWRA and has been since 1994. Ms. Dunphy is a former Milton Selectmen and Warrant Chair. Essentially our generation is bearing the costs of neglect and the Boston Harbor clean up. Much of the revenue is applied to debt service. The good news is that the system is currently robust, the harbor is clean, and we have some of the best public drinking water in the country.
As for the high rates. We use water. However, there may also be a metering issue. There are 3 meters here in town as explained by DPW director Joseph Lynch. One in Milton Village, one in East Milton and one out Brush Hill Road. The one in east Milton and Milton Village may not be functioning properly. Lynch stated that when they shut the valve the meters were still registering activity. As Selectman Keohane aptly summarized, “When you turn off the water, it’s still running.” Or at least the system thinks it is. Lynch said such issues were not all that easy to isolate the cause of. The MWRA is working with the town to resolve the issue. If the MWRA has misreported the water usage the town will be issued a credit.
Another issue is Milton’s old pipes. There is ~12% water use that is unaccounted for. That is, the difference between water metered out by MWRA and water metered by the town. Some of this water is used in fire fighting operations. But regardless Milton is an old town and its pipes and infrastructure are old when compared to a town like Ashland.
Dunphy noted that the advisory board does not have authority over rates. The Board of Directors set the rate. “We don’t always agree,” she noted. But the advisory group does have their ear.
Selectman Sweeney used the analogy of the coach throwing a red flag during a football game. “We’ve thrown the flag and now we are entitled to an explanation.”
You can learn more about MWRA assessment here. The preliminary FY13 assessments by community can be found here.
In other business:
- The Fire and Police chiefs appeared and gave quick updates on their respective departments. The Fire Chief noted that the number of incidents responded to is in line with projections. There have been 1737 which is tracking on what was estimated to be 4000 for the year. The department has 53 firefighters ith 2 more coming on by 12/1. The also expect a new fire engine to be functioning in mid-October. Building maintenance issues are there and the Chief is working with Consolidated Facilities on assessing repairs. One issue that received some discussion was private hydrants. The Chief does not trust them and the department’s first choice is public hydrants. Budget constraints have cut back on the annual audits that had been preformed on hydrants to gauge water pressure etc.
- Chief Wells said the police had a busy first half of the year. He applauded the public involvement that has taken place regarding recent issues (Tucker, break-ins along Eliot St corridor) and said that the public involvement has been a positive impact. An issue that was discussed concerned high levels of teen activity and drinking at Cunningham Park. Chief strongly recommends that the Cunningham Park staff install video cameras. He noted that they often serve as important deterrents. He mentioned a police officer who was recently injured when a suspect closed a car door on her hand and drove off. How she got her hand out, I don’t know,” the Chief said. But he noted it highlights the daily dangers they face. (View MPD notice on incident here.) Lastly, the Glover crossing guard has retired. She was much-loved. The Chief interested candidates for the job should contact the department.
- Selectman Denis Keohane summarized a meeting he had at Fuller Village to discuss the traffic issue at Neponset Valley Parkway and Brush Hill Road.
Troublesome intersection
This has been a nettlesome issue for years. He showed a plan and asked for support from board to send to traffic commission for consideration. The board voted unanimously to refer to commission.
