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Flat Fee For Woburn Water Likely to Continue
Two aldermen have drafted an ordinance that would keep Woburn as a flat rate fee structure rather than a "by use" fee structure for water.
Woburn residents will likely continue to pay a flat fee for water after the new meters have been installed.
As reported on the Woburn Daily Times Chronicle, Ward 2 Alderman Richard Gately and Ward 4 Alderman Michael Anderson have been working on an ordinance to establish a flat fee for water usage, rather than switching the city over to a "by use" fee structure.
Currently, Woburn residents pay a flat fee of $533, the Daily Times Chronicle reported. Most other cities and towns in the state have residents pay for water used.
As reported on Woburn Patch, the city is obligated to install residential water meters because former mayor Tom McLaughlin signed a Administrative Consent Order (ACO) with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 2008. McLaughlin said in a letter that he signed the agreement after the city's attorneys convinced him that the city had no other option than to cooperate and resolve outstanding issues with the DEP.
McLaughlin added that the DEP maintains records that show that Woburn’s water usage far exceeds the usage of comparable communities that already have residential water meters.
In June of last year, after much debate, the City Council authorized a $6 million bond to pay for the new meters.
According to the Daily Times Chronicle some City Council members are worried the new metered water program could lead to charges based on usage. It also reported that Mayor Scott Galvin is currently working with consultants to figure out the best way to implement the water meter infrastructure.
What do you think? Would you prefer to keep a flat fee or pay for water by amount used? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Earnhardt
7:20 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
I have a perfectly good meter in my home. No one has ever looked at it. I am just saying up front. I will not in any way pay for a new meter to be installed in my home. It isn't mentioned in this article, but has been mentioned in past articles. Come calibrate this meter and leave it at that.
Deb & Dan
7:59 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
The flat fee is nice for large households and pool owners, not so great for those of us in 2 person households. I propose keeping it flat but within 2 or 3 usage levels/ranges so those of us that barely use any aren't paying the same as someone that waters the lawn extensively or has a large household. There is no encouragement for conservation in a flat rate.
Bev Lowe
4:04 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
No, there should be a charge for usage. This doesn't encourage conservation.
Aaron B
3:20 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Are we getting MWRA water? If so, then I don't see how it's a good move to continue to thumb our noses at the laws / rules that come along with it.
Aaron B
3:23 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Hmm, I can't find anything about the MWRA in any of the linked articles here. I thought that was the root of the issue... No?
Earnhardt
9:40 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Aron. I think we are hooked up to the trunk line, but we do not use it unless we have to. I believe our water comes through Horn Pond and it's aquifers. My Grip is they want to charge homeowners for meters. I have a perfectly good meter that has never been looked at by a city official. It probably needs to be re calibrated at best, Why should I pay for a new meter?
Aaron B
9:47 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I would agree you shouldn't have to pay for a new meter, nor should all of us have to pay for it via a bond, if it's working just fine. I hope they will be able to easily test if existing meters work correctly, and if so leave them alone.
I'm in a duplex and am worried about how meters can be installed for each unit. I think we have just one connection to the water main, but I'm not sure. It could be a mess.
Earnhardt
9:51 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Thats one of the issues they are trying to work out.. I know you havent been in Woburn long, but you will soon see the bureaucratic Machine takes a long time to figure out