City Council: Medford’s Biggest Issue is High Water, Sewer Costs

Though the City Council tabled the approval of the sales of the former Lincoln-Kennedy School and two vacant city lots for development because of the absence of three councilors, it did not shy away from tackling what it considers to be one of Medford’s biggest issues: ever-increasing water and sewer rates.

Council President Rob Maiocco said though the Council does not set the rates (that’s up to the Water and Sewer Commission), they hear residents’ complaints and it’s time to do something about it.

Maiocco proposed creating a progressive water and sewer rate that would be based upon consumption.

“Basically what it is; the more you use, the more you pay,” said Maiocco.

According to Maiocco, Medford has two separate water and sewer rates and residents are billed on average consumption and not actual use. Maiocco said residents could save money on their water and sewer bills if a progressive rate is used.

According to a report issued by the MWRA Advisory Board last fall, Medford’s average annual water and sewer bill is $1240, compared to a $1,000 overall average annual bill throughout the MWRA’s entire service district of roughly sixty communities. Several of the communities have progressive rates and bill commercial and residential usage separately.

Councilor Stephanie Muccini Burke said this approach makes sense and “it’s high time” for the mayor and Water and Sewer Commission to consider a progressive rate structure.

Burke characterized the problems surrounding the billing from the city’s new water meters as a “fiasco.” City Councilor Michael Marks agreed, noting that the issue has generated plenty of phone calls and emails and that people are “outraged” over their water and sewer bills.

Marks said the city also needs to take a hard look at its infrastructure, including illegal catch basins and old, leaky pipes that contribute to rising sewer costs because the city is billed for the treatment of more water than it actually takes in.

More Council News…

Parking Enforcement Division up to Mayor, Police Chief

City Solicitor Mark Rumley reported back to the Council that the creation of a parking enforcement division within the police department would be up to the mayor and Police Chief.

The Council expressed interest in the idea at a previous meeting and again voiced its support Tuesday night, arguing that a separate parking enforcement division is sorely needed in a growing city with more cars and an increasing demand for residential parking.

Marks said designating residential parking without enforcement gives neighbors a “false sense of security” and that parking problems will only continue to get worse.

The Council urged Mayor Michael McGlynn and Police Chief Leo Sacco to consider creating a parking enforcement division in an effort to take the burden off police and to generate some revenue for the city.

Stop and Shop to Move to Former Ames Location

Stop and Shop will move across Wellington Plaza into the vacant spot formerly occupied by Ames years ago. The building will go under construction in October and should be ready in July 2008. Stop and Shop’s current location will be renovated and kept as a retail location.