Selectmen reluctantly raise utility rates

Selectmen reluctantly approved the water and sewer rate increases recommended last month by the Water/Sewer Rate Committee, noting that the increases were caused in part by a spike in the Mass. Water Resources Authority’s (MWRA) assessment to the town.

The new rates will take effect July 1, resulting in an average annual increase of $18.12 for water and $46.76 for sewer. Canton sends quarterly bills to its ratepayers.

Looking to the future, DPW Superintendent Mike Trotta, a member of the rate committee, said dependence on MWRA water could significantly decline in the next couple of years with the addition of water treatment plants on Pecunit and Neponset streets. The bad news is that rising MWRA debt could boost sewer assessments for 2015 and beyond.

In other matters Tuesday night, Gary McNaughton of McMahon Associates provided an update on the status of the South Coast Rail Project, which will restore commuter rail transportation from Boston to Fall River and New Bedford. According to McNaughton, while the state has endorsed the proposed route through Stoughton and Canton, it still faces an environmental review by federal officials and the Army Corps of Engineers. The other options under consideration are an extension of the Attleboro line, which would go through Canton, and creation of a Middleboro line.

McNaughton said what is unclear is the impact the rail service would have on Canton as it relates to safety, noise, train speed, and a variety of other factors. He said he would report back to selectmen once this information is known. Selectmen Chairman John Connolly said he hopes the rail extension will not increase freight service as he still is not pleased with CSX, which has yet to fully explain a boxcar accident that occurred near Canton Junction in 2008.

Selectmen also heard an audit report from an independent human resources company, which reviewed how Canton has conducted its HR functions in order to determine best practices and identify areas in need of improvement. The town is currently in the process of finding a replacement for HR director Lori Soloway, who is leaving her post at the end of June.

Town Administrator Bill Friel reported that 50 applicants have applied for the HR position, and a screening committee consisting of representatives from the various town departments, including the school system, will meet on July 6 to select the finalists.

In a review of the audit, Sandy Stapincksy, president of Human Resources Inc., told selectmen that, given Canton’s size and its total of 1,400 staff members and retirees, it was amazing to her that one person was able to do all of the work. She recommended hiring an assistant HR person to help in the schools, an assistant to the HR director, and a part-time clerical position. However, both Connolly and Selectman Bob Burr said the town could not afford nearly $200,000 for an HR department given the current budget constraints. Selectmen do agree that an HR administrator should serve the municipal departments and the schools in order to streamline HR services and avoid duplication.

In other news:

* Selectmen held a moment of silence to remember the passing of Connie Marsland, who worked for nearly three years in the accounting department, and William Correia, who worked for the town for 44 years in the Highway and Sewer departments.

* Friel told the Citizen that nearly all municipal labor agreements have been approved, and he expected the last contract between the town and the police union to be settled soon.

* Selectmen announced a proclamation honoring Fire Lt. Barry Ronayne for his 43 years of service to the Fire Department. A retirement dinner will be held June 25 at Brookmeadow Country Club on Everendon Road.

* Water main work will cause Elm Street to be closed between the Algonquin area and Greenlodge Street from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through mid August.

* Town Hall will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, July 5, at 7 p.m.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=6114

Posted by Mike Berger on Jun 22 2011. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.