Lakeville approves $100,000 for water-tower design, moves lawsuit proceeds into water fund

Lakeville — Voters at a June 15, 2009 Lakeville town meeting approved a package of transfers that included adding $34,342.43 in settlement proceeds to the town’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Stabilization Fund and then authorizing $100,000 from that fund to pay for design work on an elevated water storage tank and pump station.

Supporters said the design money is “seed” funding required to apply quickly for low-cost state loans and federal stimulus (ARRA) allocations that have tight deadlines. Selectman Nancy Yates said the project would address low system pressure, enable future master metering and allow Lakeville to capture water‑sales revenue now received by neighboring Taunton. “For the first time in a hundred years, Lakeville has the opportunity to realize revenue from our own water,” Yates said.

Opponents and some voters urged caution. Several speakers warned that much of…