Superintendent reports $750,000 state grant for lead-line compliance; resident presses authority for transparency on bond funds

During the Watertown Water and Sewer Authority’s June 17 meeting Superintendent Jerry Lucowski reported that the authority received a state bond/grant package totaling $750,000 to support a 10-year lead service-line compliance program covering roughly 900 connections.

Lucowski described how the grant work will proceed: the authority will begin field evaluation of unknown service-line materials—using a vac truck with a nonprojectile detector to scan lines—and will hire a designer and a contractor to carry out replacement work as required by federal and state public-health direction. He thanked state representative Joe Fetta for assistance in acquiring the funds.

Lucowski also reported operational updates: a new vertical-shaft pump was installed at Bunker Hill and a second pump is on order to restore redundancy; electrical service and the SCADA system were updated to allow soft starts and reduce pressure shock; annual hydrant flushing is complete for most of town with Westgate (about 25 hydrants) remaining; and two sewer-pump issues were addressed—a station required a rebuilt pump that cost $7,000 rather than a $29,000 replacement. Quarterly sampling and an upcoming five-year risk and resiliency assessment were noted, and the authority is preparing an emergency action plan and updating its policy manual.

During public comment resident Katherine raised several concerns about transparency and accounting: she questioned the town’s handling of the Waterberry-related funds (saying earlier public statements cited $10 million but later figures reflected $5 million), asked why a $3.4 million overage was held in a state account and where the interest on that balance is being directed, and said recent executive sessions and RFP language for the town attorney were fueling residents’ distrust as a referendum approaches. “We have a lack of transparency,” Katherine said, asking the authority to provide clearer answers to ratepayers.

Chair and staff acknowledged the questions and noted the authority will post information and respond via the website and follow-up materials; several members said they want additional reporting to the board and clearer public-facing answers before the upcoming referendum.

Lucowski also noted staffing updates: the assistant water superintendent position has been reposted, and one support employee has returned from medical leave. Administrative items discussed included new website content and a QR code for accessing water and sewer information.

The authority took no formal action on public comment but recorded the concerns and asked staff to provide additional information.