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Board hears billing complaints and is notified water/wastewater staff are pursuing unionization
Summary
Utility Director Ivone Smith updated the board on customer billing complaints and alleged targeting of Ward 1; she also reported the City Council received and approved an IBEW Local 702 letter to allow water/wastewater staff to move toward unionization.
Malden — At its March 25 meeting the Malden Board of Public Works heard updates on customer billing disputes, a DNR lead‑and‑copper notification issue, and was told that IBEW Local 702 had presented a letter to the City Council to allow water/wastewater staff to pursue unionization.
Utility Director Ivone Smith told the board that three customers had complained about their utility bills at the most recent council meeting and that office staff do not instruct customers to take disputes to the City Council. Smith said she and Board Secretary Cathy Merritt had offered council members an in‑person review of office operations and billing procedures but that no council members had accepted the offer. Smith reported that after the winter moratorium ended, meters were disconnected for nonpayment on March 10 and about 19 customers remained disconnected as of the meeting.
Smith also reported the utility had received a DNR Lead & Copper notice tied to an inventory the utility performed of recently replaced service lines; Smith said the violation can be corrected by sending letters to customers/property owners informing them of the inventory, and that once letters are sent the utility will be in compliance.
On labor matters, Smith said a letter from IBEW Local 702 had been presented to the City Council and approved to enable water/wastewater staff to move toward unionization. The board minutes record that the council considered the letter and approved it; the BPW minutes do not record any board vote or further action on the union matter.
Smith also reported rumor and concern that Ward 1 is being 'targeted' with different rates; she said the council member for Ward 1 had threatened to report the utility to the electric commission. The minutes record Smith characterized these as complaints and speculation; no formal allegation by the council member was recorded in the BPW minutes, and no response from the council member is included.
Board President Clark Duckett asked the board to obtain a proposal or study of substations from the board’s electrical engineers (BHMG and Vi‑Power) to bring to the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 5:28 p.m.
