Funding for Springfield’s ‘precarious’ pension system ticks upward
Updated 5:13 AM;
SPRINGFIELD An audit of the city’s finances still finds the retirement fund in “precarious” condition, and it remains the worst-funded public pension system in Massachusetts, but city officials took solace in a newly reached milestone.
Powers & Sullivan LLC, of Wakefield, reported Wednesday that the city’s pension system is 30.2% funded, surpassing the 30% mark for the first time in recent years. This was based on valuation data as of Jan. 1, 2020, and compares to 27.2% two years earlier.
City councilors, after hearing the latest audit report this week, said Thursday they are glad there has been progress.
Springfield, Ludlow water deemed safe despite continued high reading on haloacetic acid
Updated Apr 07, 2021;
Posted Apr 07, 2021
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission has notified customers that samples of drinking water at one site, from the Cobble Mountain Reservoir, seen here, had slightly high readings for haloacetic acids, as of March, 2021
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SPRINGFIELD The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission reported on Wednesday that one of its testing sites had a higher-than-acceptable level of haloacetic acid, but that the water remains safe to drink.
The commission, which provides water to customers in Springfield and Ludlow, has eight water sites that are sampled quarterly. The higher reading for haloacetic acid (HAA5) in March was at the Center Street fire station in Ludlow.
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission offers webinars on billing, financial assistance
Updated Jan 21, 2021;
SPRINGFIELD The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission will be offering webinars that will focus on customer needs ranging from understanding their bills to financial assistance and payment plans.
The commission will be hosting the webinars to provide details of an array of programs to assist customers with managing their water and sewer bills, a spokeswoman said.
The sessions are scheduled Monday, Jan. 25, in English and Tuesday, Jan. 26, in Spanish; both are at 6 p.m.
Participants can log on here or Monday’s session and at this site for Tuesday’s session.
Springfield Water and Sewer Commission in line for $251M federal loan for major improvement projects
Updated Jan 14, 2021;
Posted Jan 14, 2021
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is applying for a $251 million federal loan for capital improvements including major upgrades to its West Parish Filters facility in Westfield. ( Hoang Leon Nguyen / The Republican)
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SPRINGFIELD The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has invited the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission to apply for a $251 million low-interest loan for capital improvements including long-awaited upgrades to the West Parish Filters water treatment plant.
The loan would save ratepayers approximately $60 million in borrowing costs over the next 20 years, said commission spokeswoman Jaimye Bartak.