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Taunton council authorizes Home Rule Petition to lower water bills for master‑metered manufactured‑home communities
Summary
City staff presented a Home Rule Petition to let Taunton set a special water rate for master‑metered manufactured‑home communities; council voted to authorize filing the petition with the state (7–0, 1 abstention). Staff estimate roughly 1,073 units would qualify and show an approximate 30% per‑unit savings; residents and some councilors asked for stronger enforcement language to ensure owners pass savings to tenants.
City staff presented a Home Rule Petition that would allow Taunton to establish a uniform, separate water billing rate for master‑metered manufactured‑home communities under state law.
CFO Patrick Del Russo summarized the proposal and the staff analysis: the city examined seven master‑metered mobile‑home parks and estimated per‑unit consumption; using that data staff proposed a separate rate structure that, in the presentation model, would deliver roughly 30% savings per unit. "The proposed MHC rate is, again, equatable to 30% savings per unit," Del Russo said.
Legal framing: City Solicitor Matthew Costa told the council the petition seeks a special act from the state legislature that would authorize Taunton to adopt a separate billing rate for manufactured housing communities defined under state law (citing the statutory definition in Mass. general law). He explained the Home Rule approach provides stronger legal footing for a public‑policy rate than a local ordinance alone.
Residents’ concerns and outreach: several residents attending questioned why some communities were not included in prior briefings and asked more time to consult lenders and lawyers; Nancy Fitzgerald and other public‑input speakers asked for a three‑week postponement so ROC USA (a funding/lender mentioned by speakers) could review the petition. Councilors debated whether to begin the legislative process immediately to start the long state review or to pause for more resident outreach.
Pass‑through and enforcement: multiple councilors asked how the city will ensure owners pass savings to residents. Attorney Costa and CFO Del Russo pointed to existing Attorney General guidance and the landlord–tenant regulatory framework that governs utility pass‑throughs and said the council will craft implementing ordinances and enforcement mechanisms if the special act is approved by the legislature.
Council action: Councilor Sanders moved to authorize filing the Home Rule Petition (with permissive language allowing legislative stylistic revisions). The motion passed on roll call 7 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention (Councilor McCall). A later motion to reopen public input on the item failed on a 4–4 tie.
Next steps: the administration will transmit the petition to the state delegation; if enacted by the legislature and signed by the governor, the council will return to draft and adopt local ordinances that set the rate structure and enforcement requirements. The council requested further detail on auditing and verification procedures to ensure savings reach residents.
