Friday, November 16, 2012
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority will begin work to replace a water meter on Nov. 26.
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) will begin work to replace a water meter on Monday, Nov. 26, according to a press statement. "This work may cause discolored water in parts of Melrose and Stoneham in the areas around West Wyoming and the Fellsway (east of Ravine Terrace) for up to three days," reads the statement. "There will be no impacts to water pressure." If discolored water does occur, it will result from a small amount of iron in the pipes, reads the statement. While safe for drinking, cooking and other uses, "iron will stain light colored items in your laundry, especially when bleach is used," according to the statement. Residents should check water clarity before washing any white or lighter colored laundry …
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
An amended version of the proposed increases that would build reserve funds over five years rather than three, while addressing the sewer deficit, received a recommendation from the aldermen's Appropriations Committee.
After another lengthy meeting filled with strident voices from both residents and city officials, and with an amended proposal to soften the impact this coming year, a second round of increased water and sewer rates received an initial OK from the Melrose Board of Aldermen on Monday night. City officials proposed the second round of rate increases—which still require a final vote of the full board—after the first set of increases were approved in June, to address a $158,771 deficit caused by lower than projected consumption in the sewer budget at the close of the fiscal 2012 year, which ended on June 30. Officials also sought to implement a three-year plan to save 10 percent of both the water and sewer budgets in reserve accounts to …
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Melrose City Hall
562 Main St, Melrose, MA
/articles/second-water-sewer-rate-increases-get-initial-ok
200818
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Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The aldermen held a public hearing Monday night on the second rate hikes proposed within the past month.
Several residents chided the city last night about its financial planning and proposal to further increase the water and sewer rates to build reserve funds over the next three years. The Melrose Board of Aldermen held a public hearing Monday on the proposed rate increases, which are on top of increases already approved last month by the aldermen. A $158,771 deficit in the fiscal 2012 sewer enterprise fund would get backfilled by the increased sewer rate, and both increased rates would bring in revenue that the city would place in savings accounts to mitigate any future deficits or increased assessments from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). The new proposal would increase the residential water rate to $5.85, which on top …
42.45642
-71.064495
Melrose City Hall
562 Main St, Melrose, MA
/articles/residents-speak-out-on-proposed-water-and-sewer-rate-hikes
200818
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Thursday, July 12, 2012
A deficit in the city's sewer budget, combined with a desire to start saving more to account for potential deficits, means City Hall is proposing to further increase the water and sewer rates for this coming year.
Water and sewer rates for the coming year already approved by the Melrose Board of Aldermen could go higher, as the city aims to address a year-end deficit in the sewer budget and start a three-year savings plan for both the water and sewer budgets. The new proposal would increase the residential water rate to $5.85, which on top of the previously approved rate increase would result in a 11.43 percent increase over this past year's rate, according to a letter from Department of Public Works Director John Scenna to city officials (PDF attached). The commercial water rate would increase to $7.20, an 11.68 percent increase (again accounting for the already approved increases), and the combined sewer rate would increase to $10.02, a 7.17 …
42.45642
-71.064495
Melrose City Hall
562 Main St, Melrose, MA
/articles/water-sewer-rates-could-go-up-again
200818
/locations/7408609
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The average Melrose homeowner will see a $42.50 increase in their water and sewer bill.
Proposed increases in Melrose's water and sewer rates, driven by lower consumption and Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) assessments according to city officials, received unanimous final approval from the Board of Aldermen on Monday night. As a result, the average Melrose homeowner will see a $42.50 increase in their water and sewer bill next year, a 4.6 percent bump over the current average bill. The rates as approved are: City officials repeated Monday night what's been said before the Appropriations Committee and when the rates first went before the board two weeks ago—that the rates are largely driven by increased assessments from the MWRA and consumption being down across the MWRA system, which lowers revenue. The MWRA …
42.45642
-71.064495
Melrose City Hall
562 Main St, Melrose, MA
/articles/water-and-sewer-rate-hikes-approved
200818
/locations/7280983
Friday, June 8, 2012
The presentation given to the aldermen's Appropriations Committee on Thursday night regarding the proposed water and sewer rates for next year.
The average Melrose homeowner, based on average water and sewer use, would see a $42.50 increase in their water and sewer bill next year, under proposed rates currently before the Melrose Board of Aldermen. That increase, a 4.6 percent bump over the current average bill, results from the proposed water and sewer rates for next year that were presented to the aldermen on Monday night at a public hearing. The public hearing will reconvene on Monday, June 18. Below is the memo/presentation by John Scenna, Department of Public Works assistant superintendent and incoming director, given to the aldermen at Thursday night's Appropriations Committee meeting. Editor's note: A Melrose Patch reporter was not present at Thursday's Appropriations …
42.45642
-71.064495
Melrose City Hall
562 Main St, Melrose, MA
/articles/proposed-average-42-increase-in-home-water-and-sewer-bills
200818
/locations/7175187
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Also before the aldermen for fiscal 2013: a 7.75 percent commercial water rate increase and a 2.67 percent increase for the combined residential and commercial sewer rate.
The Melrose residential water rate would increase by 40 cents to $5.65 next year under the proposal currently before the Board of Aldermen. The aldermen opened a public hearing Monday night on the proposed water and sewer rates for next year, but recessed the public hearing until Monday, June 18 due to the absence of Patrick Dello Russo, chief financial officer and city auditor, who was away at a conference. In the meantime, next year's proposed rates—the final piece of the city's fiscal 2013 budget puzzle—will go before the aldermen's Appropriations Committee on Thursday this week for discussion, and incoming Department of Public Works Director John Scenna provided the aldermen with a brief overview of the proposed rates. Along with the …
42.45642
-71.064495
Melrose City Hall
562 Main St, Melrose, MA
/articles/proposed-7-percent-water-rate-hike-on-the-table
200818
/locations/7154389
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
State's water authority warns against swimming at Middlesex Fells Reservation.
Warm, sunny days are upon us, but those tempted to cool off with a swim in waters within Middlesex Fells should resist the urge for their own safety, according to the state. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is reminding swimmers that the waters at the Fells are off limits, according to a press release. "The Fells has many rock outcroppings and swimmers who are tired or hit their heads while diving are a long way from emergency medical help," the press release said. "The facility is not staffed and there are no lifeguards on duty. There have been fatalities at this site in the past and more recently at nearby Spot Pond." The High Fells Reservoir could also be used as an emergency water supply and needs to be kept clean, …
Steve Meuse
9:46 am on Monday, July 30, 2012
The ones at the common are on almost every morning around 7, rain or shine. more ›