Highway super, boiler operator vie for sewer commissioner in Northfield
Northfield resident Bernard “Bernie” Boudreau is running for election to the Northfield Board of Sewer Commissioners, the only contest in the May 4 town election. He is also running unopposed for a three-year Selectboard seat. Staff Photo/Paul Franz
Thomas Walker is running for election to the Northfield Board of Sewer Commissioners, the only contest in the May 4 town election. Walker is the highway superintendent and previously served on the Board of Sewer Commissioners for 12 years. Contributed Photo
Published: 4/20/2021 3:26:28 PM
NORTHFIELD The only contest on the ballot for the May 4 town election is between Thomas Walker and Bernard “Bernie” Boudreau, who are vying for a three-year seat on the Board of Sewer Commissioners.
Committee members voted one in favor and six opposed, with one abstention.
Article 3 seeks $1,357,223 to be spent by the sewer commissioners for operation of the sewer department. That includes the use of $50,000 in sewer retained earnings to offset an increase to sewer usersâ rates.
The article also calls for $148,315 to be transferred to the general operating budget to offset Sewer Enterprise indirect expenses. All totaled, Article 3 seeks $1,505,538 for sewer-related issues in the coming year.
Before discussion on Article 3 was opened at the meeting, chairwoman Mary Jane Mastrangelo read a statement of her position, which reflected her ongoing efforts to mitigate against large rate increases for Buzzards Bay sewer users.
NORTHFIELD After town voters approved an increase of the Selectboard from three to five members last year, the 2021 annual town election on May 4 sees three candidates running unopposed for three different seats.Mary Bowen is running for a new.
The 2021 campaign for election to two seats on the Bourne Board of Selectmen began with a bang. Incumbent Selectman James L. Potter has accused one of his challengers, Bourne Finance Committee chairwoman Mary Jane Mastrangelo, of a variety of peccadilloes, from Open Meeting Law and ethics violations to disrespecting town officials and bullying town staff.
Mr. Potterâs diatribe came at the start of the selectmenâs remote meeting Tuesday night, March 30. He made his statement during the public comment period of the meetingâs agenda, which meant that Ms. Mastrangelo, who was in attendance, could not respond to the accusations.
The Sewer Commissioners are hoping to make billing more fair.
But first, they need to untangle an incomplete and confusing billing schedule dating back to 1998.
Because the town’s sewer department doesn’t have access to water usage, which is controlled by the two independent fire districts, billing is based on Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs). That means that homes and businesses are billed based on the department’s best estimate of their usage as compared to a theoretical average single-family home.
The commissioners hope to adjust those billing rates to more accurately reflect usage.
“Keep in mind, this is only a proposal,” said Chairman Jim Giberti.