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Brookfield Water Commission begins rules-and-rates review, plans public hearing
Summary
Commissioners distributed the water department's rules and regulations and said Superintendent Dennis Clark is drafting a new rate structure; they plan to review budget impacts (noting an expected electric shortfall) and schedule a public hearing in February after a January review meeting.
The Brookfield Water Commission on Dec. 10 distributed its draft rules and regulations and opened a review of the water-rate structure that Superintendent Dennis Clark is preparing. The chair said the rate review is the start of a multi-step process and that the commission will first finalize budgeting before proposing rates; once the commission settles on a proposed rate structure it will hold a public hearing.
"This is the start of the process to review those rules, regulations, rates and and start our budget so that we can come up with a new water rate system," the chair said, adding that the commission expects to review drafts in January and post a public hearing in February. Commissioners noted budget pressures, identifying the electric line as an immediate concern — one commissioner estimated the town could be about $6,000 short in that category.
Members also asked staff to update signage on water-department land to include the relevant citation to state regulation so the public could look up legal restrictions. Commissioners referenced the Mass. General Laws and environmental code (members cited 310 CMR 22 and chapter 266) and asked Dennis to prepare a sign reflecting that authority.
The commission did not vote on new rates or adopt rule changes at the meeting; it asked each commissioner to review the rules and regulations packet and bring suggested edits to the January meeting with a view toward a February public hearing where residents may comment on any rate proposals.
