Lakeville voters approve town-controlled water system, enterprise fund and collection rules

Lakeville — Voters at a Nov. 30 special town meeting approved several steps to move the town toward operating its own water system, voting to establish a municipal water supply and distribution system, to have the board of selectmen act temporarily as water commissioners, to create a water enterprise fund and to accept statutory collection methods for water charges.

The meeting approved three related warrant articles: Article 6, which established the water supply and authorized the selectmen to act as water commissioners (passed by a majority, 129–33); Article 7, which accepted chapter 44, section 53F½ and transferred $650,000 from the water infrastructure stabilization fund into a newly created water enterprise fund and set the fund's FY2010 budget (passed by the required two-thirds, 114–25); and Article 8, which accepted Massachusetts General Laws chapter 40, sections 42A–42F (methods for collecting water charges) and passed by majority vote.

Why it matters: The votes put Lakeville on a path to buy wholesale water, operate distribution, set user fees and betterments locally and to begin capital work on a town-controlled system using settlement and loan planning already under way. Supporters said local control will return money now paid to Taunton to Lakeville and will permit future revenue generation; opponents and several residents expressed concern about who will bear costs during the transition.

Discussion and concerns raised: Selectman Nancy Yates and Selectman Derek Maxey explained the legal and financing steps the town is taking, including pursuing a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) forgiveness to pay for a planned tower, pumping station and distribution work. Residents asked whether current Taunton customers would pay both their existing Taunton bill and a new Lakeville charge during the transition. Yates and town staff said the town plans to bill as a single Lakeville bill once arrangements and metering are in place, but acknowledged the transition could mean an added charge in the short term. Resident Bob Marshall pressed that if “the entire town benefits,” then the entire town should contribute; town officials said some costs will be assessed via betterments and user fees and that hearings will precede fee-setting.

On governance and public input, residents asked why the board of selectmen, not a separate water commission or the board of health, would begin as water commissioners. Town counsel and selectmen said state law permits the selectmen to act initially; officials said the town expects to create a separate water board in the future and that hearings and public notice will be held for major decisions, including fees and betterments.

Financing: Supporters said the town has settlement funds held in a water infrastructure stabilization fund from a past MTBE/contamination settlement; the Article 7 transfer of $650,000 will seed the enterprise fund and cover initial capital and setup costs while the town pursues SRF loan approval. Derek Maxey and other officials said the SRF loan is expected to be long-term (20-year queue) at low interest; some ARRA interest forgiveness may apply. Officials also said uncertainty remains about final loan approval and actual project costs may change as work proceeds.

Next steps: The town will proceed with hearings required to set fees and betterments, finalize intermunicipal agreements with Taunton for wholesale purchase if needed, and begin capital planning and permitting. Selectmen will act initially as water commissioners until the town establishes a permanent water board.

Votes and formal actions: Article 6 (establish water supply and appoint selectmen as water commissioners) — passed by majority, 129–33. Article 7 (create water enterprise fund and transfer $650,000) — passed two-thirds, 114–25. Article 8 (accept chapters 42A–42F for collection) — passed by majority (count not specified in transcript).