Water Board Rejects Town's Rate-Hike Article
Other Committee · Meeting of September 14, 2026
Walpole's water and sewer board votes 3-0 to oppose a town rate-transfer article, citing a $5.2 million surplus. Commissioners George Hogan, Pradeep Mishra and a third member identified only as Patrick said Town Administrator Jean A. Johnson's proposed Article 6 would shift enterprise-fund money despite revenue running nearly $1.5 million ahead of the water budget and about $400,000 ahead on sewer.
"If the town officials are not present, I do not think we should be taking any vote," Mishra said, noting no town staff attended. The board also tabled roughly $4 million in capital Articles 7 and 8, questioning a $320,000 unexplained sewer line item and continued payments to consultant Weston & Sampson after the town's MWRA Quabbin Reservoir connection bid was withdrawn. Resident Ronald Howley separately asked about converting a 16-unit condominium from one master meter to 16 individual meters, saying residents are "overcharged" under the current billing.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,383 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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