Amendment would provide state authority over local utility providers
BOSTON – Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) filed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2019 supplemental state budget to address oversight issues involving local water and sewer districts in the Commonwealth, including within the Town of Leicester.
Presently, state agencies such as the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) have no direct authority over the local water and sewer districts including those operating in Leicester. While the entities were established by various acts of the Legislature during the early-to-mid 1900s, each district is a subscriber-owned independent entity governed by separate boards.
The Moore-sponsored amendment would provide DPU with the authority over water or sewer districts and approval of fees, rates, rents, assessments, abatements and other charges established by each district. The amendment also requires any water and sewer district to immediately notify DPU of any known financial risks which are likely to result in the insolvency of the water or sewer district, or otherwise affect the district’s ability to fulfill its obligations.
“I have received dozens of calls and e-mails about a lack of authority over the local water and sewer districts in the Town of Leicester,” said Senator Moore. “I will continue to offer my help, where possible, with addressing the many problems facing these districts, and to put in place accountability measures that ratepayers can trust.”
Earlier this year, Senator Moore was successful in securing $100,000 in the state budget to support the development of a water and sewer economic infrastructure feasibility study and master plan in the Town of Leicester. Recently, the Town has also been successful at being awarded a matching federal grant to fund the study.
To continue tracking the supplemental budget bill, S.2378, visit the Legislature’s website by clicking below.