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Duckett outlines plan to shore up Malden water and sewer funds, proposes per‑gallon rate change
Summary
BPW member Clark Duckett presented a multi-part plan at the Feb. 10 workshop to stabilize water and sewer finances, including a proposed $1.25 per 1,000‑gallon increase (about $2.50/month for low users, $10–$12 for an average household), a $500,000 transfer from the Economic Development Fund, and pursuit of grants; ordinance drafts will be prepared for the full council.
At a Feb. 10 Malden City Council and Board of Public Works workshop, council member Clark Duckett presented a detailed update on utility finances and a proposal to stabilize struggling water and sewer funds.
Duckett said the city has seen a decline in water customers—meters down from about 2,200 to roughly 1,700, a trend of about one lost customer per month—and cited aging infrastructure across electric, water and wastewater systems. He reported the electric fund has fallen from more than $5 million to about $4.07 million, and that the sewer fund is roughly $611,000 in the red, largely because of recent lift‑station replacements that cost around $530,000 over the last 18 months.
On wastewater, Duckett said a recent study estimates approximately $10 million would be needed to fully repair system damage caused by sand infiltration and repeated sanitary wipes blockages. He said more than 20 lift stations need replacement (estimated $3M–$3.5M) and that the city’s vacuum truck is failing (repair underway; replacement about $160,000). Duckett noted rental equipment and emergency pumping have been costly—on the order of $3,000 per day.
To stabilize funds, Duckett proposed a multi-pronged plan: transfer $500,000 from the Economic Development Fund to water/sewer; use surplus from a paused water line‑replacement project (up to about $300,000 over the next couple of years); maintain electric rates (to avoid additional subsidy); and implement a rate adjustment of $1.25 per 1,000 gallons. Duckett said the per‑gallon change would equate to roughly $2.50 per month for minimum or low users and about $10–$12 per month for an average household; sewer billing would be capped at 14,000 gallons. He said the goal is to cover operations, qualify for grants and loans that require positive fund balances, and minimize the need for larger future hikes.
Workshop members reached consensus to develop draft ordinances for water and sewer rate changes and asked City Attorney Chidister to prepare the ordinance language for the next full City Council meeting. Duckett and staff also said they will continue engineering studies (an engineering contract with Waters Associates / Smith and Company for a water study was described as imminent at an estimated cost of about $100,000) and pursue grant opportunities.
Duckett acknowledged the plan would be unpopular with some residents but framed it as proactive to avoid boil orders, yellow water, manual pumping, or bankruptcy risks. He said public education on the drivers—customer loss, inflation, and sand damage—will be necessary.
