The Whole Truth, Not Political Double Speak In response to Mayor Galvin’s accusations regarding the water meters, here is the truth: The City has been mandated to install water meters by the DEP for decades. In fact, we had accrued nearly a million dollars in fines by the time former Mayor McLaughlin signed an agreement with the DEP and got an extension to 2015 to install meters. Candidate Galvin was an alderman for 16 years. He knew that meters were mandatory and the city had to sign this order or face a huge penalty. Yet, in his campaign, he said he would fight against water meters and blamed Mayor McLaughlin when he did what was necessary. Candidate Galvin turned water meters into a campaign issue and misrepresented the facts to get elected. Mayor Galvin had four years to form a plan with City Council and did nothing. Instead, he waited until the last minute as the fines were about to start again. He asked City Council for $4 million. He came without a plan, without a discussion and expected the council to pass the appropriation. They said NO and asked the DEP for an extension so the city could come up with a plan. The Mayor came back a month later, still without a plan, and asked for SIX million dollars ($2 million more) because he made a “calculation error.” Once again, with total disrespect for the council and the process, he demanded the appropriation because the city was about to be fined. It was stated that it would cost residents $400 per household to install meters. My plan would not cost residents any additional money. We would take the money out of the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund, which is where the extra money goes from your water bills. This is usually between $2 and $4 million a year and that is what the money is supposed to be for. So why is the mayor borrowing more money to add debt to the city when we have the money in a fund already? In my plan, I would qualify 10-15 local plumbers and you would pick one of your choosing to do the installation. The inspectors would be independent contractors so that no one from the city comes into your home as an excuse to raise your assessment or look at your property, as Scott Galvin tried to do when he was alderman. Your home is your castle. It wasn’t until Mayor Galvin learned he had challengers that he forwarded an Ordinance to City Council that says the city will pay for water meters. It has languished in a committee since June 4th. In a purely political move, the Mayor sent this to Committee so he can say he did it. Unless pushed, it will die in committee until after the election and you will be paying for meters. If you have any questions about water meters and the complicated history behind them, feel free to call me directly at 978-618-1780.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 17:49:33 +0000
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