Is Westfield Voting Again on Water Issue
by Matt Emmershy, At Large Metropolis Councilor
The City Council once again has a $xiii 1000000 bond before information technology. This is the same bond was rejected on March xvth. This past Tuesday the Council held a highly unusual special coming together that brought together the full Quango, Mayor, Purchasing, Treasurer, DPW Assistant Managing director, in-house and contracted Consultants. Later on the previous bond failed, the Mayor indicated the Council needed to come up up with a solution. I was then able to bring everyone on board with taking this highly unusual pace.
Last fall I called for a similar meeting of the Public Health & Safety Committee relative to the Cowles Bridge. Soon thereafter a waiver was granted for our Burn down Engines. These types of meetings demand to get commonplace, instead of the exception. Our government is broken and we need to ensure open lines of communication. I volition go on to press for accountable and transparent government.
This past Tuesday's meeting was extremely productive. However, I practise non think information technology pushed us to the terminate line. Our job to obtain all relevant information and make informed decisions. The coming together was abruptly airtight after ii hours. Many questions demand to be answered before I will even consider voting for this bond. I nonetheless accept a list of questions that were sent over to DPW on March 19thursday, that remain unanswered.
The previous bond was rejected based off the votes of 4 Councilor's (Emmershy, Flaherty, Allie, and Surprise.) 3 of them brand up the Finance Committee, with Councilor Flaherty being a old member and currently on Long Range Finance. The chief argument fabricated by the 4 dissenting votes was the lack of details on the bail. The March 8thursday Finance meeting was the starting time fourth dimension we received whatever information on the bail. Twenty minutes earlier the coming together we received a 5 line spreadsheet with estimated remaining costs. With $v million already bonded in January '17 and but $800k spent, we were unable to obtain total costs for each of the 5 projects and an bookkeeping of funds already spent.
At the decision of the Finance coming together Chair Allie asked for a motion. I stated I was not comfortable voting with the limited data we had. I fabricated a motion to 'remain in Committee' which was non seconded, pregnant it dies and is ineligible for a vote. Chair Allie presented a movement for a positive recommendation, which I seconded and then a vote could be taken. At that time Councilor Surprise and I voted against a favorable recommendation. The bond was and then moved out of Finance with an unfavorable recommendation by a 2-ane vote.
The following week no further information was provided. I met with the Mayor and Council President Beltrandi on the 14th. Some information was obtained, which however vicious brusk of what was needed. All the same, I learned information technology is a 30 year bond. Poisoned residents will exist on the hook for the next 30 years. I also learned that sub-contractor bids were due on the 23rd at 2pm, which would requite us a rough full toll of vii&8. Final comprehensive bids are due on April iiird. I asked the Mayor well-nigh splitting up items and presenting smaller bonds for each distinct project ie. Water tanks, Springfield interconnect, and Storage tanks. The answer I received was a resounding NO!
The unwillingness to be flexible and work with people draws parallels to the Cross St School projection. Fifty-fifty as the City was losing and spending our tax dollars by the hundreds of thousands, we were told we were winning. Make no mistake the Cross St. debacle is peanuts compared to this upshot. The same rigid tactics are beingness employed here. Nosotros are told we are winning, until nosotros lose. In this case, residents will not only be stuck covering $5 million and $13 million bonds, merely the City Solicitor indicated that the real number is $46.eight million! This works out to about $1 million annually in excess of the bonds. Water rates need to increase another roughly 40% to cover this. Water rates volition ultimately be increased rough 70%, costing near $700 more per year. This is merely to maintain inadequate services already provided and does not accost our aging water infrastructure over the adjacent 30 years. $46.eight million for contaminated wells does not factor in storage tanks or interconnect projects. There are limited funds and we demand to keep all our options open.
Past April '19 water bills will have increased in excess of 30%. The Water Committee implemented a 10% rate increase on 1/1/17 to cover the $5 million bond, of which but $800k is used. They likewise implementing a ten% rate increase for April anest, and another 10% compounded on Apr 1st, 2019. Currently DPW is using those increased revenues to go on an equipment ownership spree. Undesignated funds (water revenues) have increased and they're looking at ownership equipment like a $105k excavator, with no one to operate it. Interim excess funds should be directed towards Water Dept debt payments, not being used as an actress puddle of money to buy toys.
This has gone on while our leaders were aware of how to remove the chemicals. Bench scale testing that determined which filtration would be effective was completed in June '17. With $four.two million available since last January they failed to consider temporary filtration. The due north side has been running almost exclusively on one Well for the past 18 months. This is absolutely a dire situation, which is not new. What is new is the push for a $13 million bond. The same people who were stating the h2o was 100% safe and they're doing a great job at election time, are the very same people sounding alarm now proverb we need to practise this without consideration.
The Mayor has finally committed to temporary filtration of Well #2 (Spousal relationship St). Last Monday the City contracted with Calgon to have that Well filtered by the stop of July. The north side will finally have a reliable and rubber h2o supply flowing. The Mayor indicated Tuesday that if the bond fails again, that he would exist dorsum looking for stabilization funds to embrace the $350k-$400k expense to temporarily filter Well #2. This includes a $264k filter vessel that will be used in a permanent filtration system. With virtually $800k in undesignated water revenues and the $4.2 million remaining in the bond, why is the Mayor intent on draining the City's emergency fund? I cannot brand any sense of this unless information technology is an endeavor to leverage passage of the bond.
Some Councilor's have provided documentation and are request questions. Attempting to avoid answers like 'I am non sure' or 'we will need to go back to you. Of all the questions that were presented, the simply person to upload documents in accelerate was Solicitor Phillips. Monday afternoon a file was finally set up for Councilor's to review documents ahead of fourth dimension. Opposite to claims by a Former Councilor that I was disputing open meeting constabulary notification. The coming together was posted with plenty of advanced observe. My issue was giving Councilor's enough fourth dimension to review any documents that would be uploaded. The Solicitor furnished roughly 500 pages of documents. Thankfully I previously reviewed roughly 270 of them.
Shortly before the coming together another timeline of events and costs were added. With plenty of notice for this meeting, there was absolutely no reason documents should be provided within an hour or two of the coming together. The Finance Committee was blocked from reviewing this bail, which is in the hands of Legislative and Ordinance. I will send a listing of questions to Chair Figy, since simply the 3 members of the Committee will be discussing this before it comes out for a vote. In attempts to silence dissenting residents, one had multiple visits from the police and a subsequent search that found the accusations to be groundless, another has had his livelihood threatened. Authorities at any level should not be taking steps to silence residents who share differing opinions.
But Well #1 which previously received multiple negative recommendations from Mass DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) is running. I inquired on the feasibility of installing a temporary filter on Well #ane. DPW stated it is not possible without installing information technology near the permanent filtration arrangement site off Dry out Bridge Rd. Mass DEP indicated the Urban center has not contacted them about temporary filtration feasibility on Well #1. I volition be looking in to this further to improve understand our options.
On Tuesday the meeting was cutting short and the possibility of installing a new Well in the vicinity of Root Rd. did not go asked. Mass DEP has indicated that the Urban center has never consulted with them on the installation of a new Well. The Root Rd area is within the loftier yield portion of the Barnes Aquifer. The water runs south towards the Westfield River. While attending the WRAFT (Westfield Residents Advocating For Themselves) event "Aquifer Hour" with Dr. Bob Newton, he indicated a geological formation that would essentially cake the PFAS contagion from spreading due west (to this area.) Currently an organic farm is drawing water from the aquifer. They had to go through extensive water testing to obtain their certification. The h2o is clean and safety in this area.
We should exist exploring the possibility of at least one new Well outside of the contagion zone. Root Rd and Top Lock Rd take a h2o principal that tin handle i.728 million gallons per day. With a total cost of $46.8 million to build and operate these 2 filtration systems, we need to consider alternatives. DPW Director Billips indicated at Finance they take not explored alternatives. He also stated "Nosotros have a trouble we can fix, permit'southward gear up it" and "I'm non looking at getting reimbursed." I volition add that the Director does not live in Westfield. He will never be paying the rate increases or the condition of our water infrastructure over the next xxx years. It is irresponsible to take an approach where you refuse to consider alternatives, which can relieve tens of millions and provide safe and chemic free h2o before a filter plant tin can exist brought online.
Another aspect of this bond are the h2o towers. I am comfortable funding the water belfry projects provided the Council is provided a full bookkeeping of the $800k spent so far, a full cost of the projects, remaining funds required, and a timeline through piece of work completion. We exercise non have alternatives to maintaining our 4 water towers.
The only other bond component notwithstanding to exist discussed is the interconnect to Springfield Water. This is projected to cost $ane.3 million. Managing director Billips indicated that they are looking at removing problem Wells 5&six from service and purchasing water from Springfield. The expense would incorporate necktie in piece of work, a booster pump, a filtration and treatment building, and hook up to our water master. The Director previously stated Springfield charges united states of america an "outrageous corporeality to get that water." He indicated they were talking with Springfield to bring rates nether control. Councilor Surprise presented an human activity of the Legislature that requires Springfield to provide usa with favorable rates. He was rebuffed with his findings. Last Tuesday the Mayor indicated this will be used equally an emergency tie in only and possibly to purchase water in the futurity. A cohesive plan on why we need information technology, coupled with a plan in place to maximize our expense of $1.3 million is needed. Councilor Flaherty spoke about a relative who was DPW Manager in the 1950's, when we allowed them to utilise more land and they agreed to preferred rates. Springfield water does not pay tax to Westfield for any property they ain. The least they tin can do is provide us water at affordable rates. Westfield has a history of over promising and under delivering. Expect at our regional dispatch heart that was justified by toll savings of going regional, just has only served Westfield. Negotiated rates with Springfield need to be locked in before nosotros brainstorm spending $one.3 million. In one case nosotros spend that, what incentive does Springfield accept to give us reasonable rates?
Some Councilor's have never asked a single question, notwithstanding blindly vote to throw coin at this. The PFOA and PFAS expenses are not going away. Some Councilor's have made bold statements like nosotros don't intendance, or we are gambling with resident's safe. The irony is these very same people were stating at election time that everything was under command. They were dismissive of Kristen Mello and WRAFT who have been fierce advocates for make clean water. They however pass up to sign a pledge to call and request blood testing and monitoring for residents. Talk is inexpensive, stating there is no politics involved, yet that is all they are doing.
I am the youngest of the 13 members on the Council and arguably in the worst wellness. I have bathed and drank the water here. I have family unit on the north side. I have always been in the area on the due south side where blended contaminated h2o could be. At 27 I was diagnosed with incurable Leukemia. For the by 9 years I have taken a chemotherapy pill a 24-hour interval. I am not supposed to take this. People in my age range do non get this. In that location are no studies or tests of anyone below 55 who have this. At some indicate the Leukemia or Chemo will kill me sooner than later.
I am fighting for safe, make clean water for all residents including my married woman and boys. No one should accept to get through this and I truly go it. While knocking on doors I came across many cancer clusters which were extremely agonizing. My married woman's friend is 34, battling chest cancer that cannot be contained. She volition leave backside 3 young children. People deserve answers and safe water sooner than afterward.
Victims should non be stuck with a $46.eight million bill. Our human relationship with the base is not nearly as cozy every bit indicated. Councilor Surprise is the only person to contact the Baby-sit Agency to get u.s. help. He was rebuffed for contacting those that nosotros are now suing. Why is it acceptable to communicate and work with Barnes who are role of the same system yet holds cypher ability to resolve our issue. Only nosotros can't printing the actual decision makers? That makes zero sense. The war machine will take interim remedial activeness if we bring it to their attention and most importantly Nosotros Ask. Interim actions include bottled water and filtration systems for municipal and private wells. The outcome appears to exist CERCLA just addresses remediation and does not offer punitive compensation.
Residents contacting the Governor and our Federal Representatives will help. In New York the Governor provided Newburgh with the funds to filter their PFAS contaminated water. There is no reason that we should solely bear this massive expense. Please contact your elected offials.
Governor Baker (617)725-4005
Congressman Neal (202) 225-5601
Senator Warren (202) 224-4543
Senator Markey (617) 565-8519
Source: https://thewestfieldnews.com/westfield-water-politics/
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