Residents’ concerns about discolored drinking water took center stage at Mattapoisett’s November 9 Special Town Meeting at ORR High School. Voters rejected Article 2, which would allocate nearly $4 million in additional funding for a new Water and Sewer Department building. Residents also voted to indefinitely postpone a proposal under Article 9 to transfer management of the town’s Transfer Station to the Select Board.
At the meeting, residents considered nine warrant articles, including requests for municipal building improvements, infrastructure projects and changes to Transfer Station oversight. But the most extensive discussion centered on the condition of water reaching residents’ homes.
During the debate on Article 2, Matt Russo displayed photographs of discolored water in his toilet, bathtub and sink. “I would encourage everyone to take a look before voting, and I would ask everyone here one simple question: ‘If this water came into your kitchen faucet, would you pour a glass of it and hand it to your child?’” he said.
Jake Long brought a bottle of brown water and a blackened whole-house filter to the microphone. He had replaced the filter that day after just two months of use. He said discolored water had afflicted his home for more than a decade, causing stains, damaged clothing and an $800 dishwasher replacement.
“The water coming into our home has definitely been a problem. We first noticed it when we ran baths for our young daughter and the water came out looking like black coffee. I assure you, this is not Dunkin’ cold brew,” Long said, pointing to the bottle of discolored water. “This is water from our house, and we were paying for that water, yet there was no way we could put our child in it.”
He urged the town to provide a clear plan and timeline for fixing the problem before seeking millions in additional building funds.
David and Beth Burnham also raised concerns. David acknowledged improvements near their property but said the water remained discolored. Beth asked what residents could expect while the town pursued long-term repairs.
Robert Gallery cited the cost of household filtration systems and bottled water. Others questioned whether the town should offer water bill relief to affected households.
“I totally sympathize with the fact that the infrastructure in this town, and so many other towns, is old and needs to be addressed, but … I think a number of us feel like we’ve got to prioritize this first,” Gallery said.
The $3,956,500 request would have added to the $4.7 million previously approved for the Water and Sewer Department building on Industrial Drive. Water and Sewer Superintendent Henry LeBoeuf said September bids, engineering, and contingencies raised the estimated project cost to $7.9 million.
LeBoeuf cited rented facilities, insufficient storage, limited parking, and an unheated garage where employees gather before work. The department also lacks facilities for workers to clean up after handling water and sewer infrastructure. Savings from other water and sewer projects would help cover the additional cost, he said. He did not anticipate a water rate increase specifically for the building.
He also acknowledged problems with aging cast-iron water mains, including the North Street main, which dates to 1913.
“It’s 113 years old,” LeBoeuf said.
He said the department planned to reline North Street, improve service connections along Hitching Post Road and conduct additional flushing. LeBoeuf said a problem with service connections may allow sediment to accumulate. Recent work at one home improved water quality yet did not resolve the issue.
LeBoeuf said Pine Island Road relining was scheduled for 2027 and the department expected to seek construction funding for North Street in May. He maintained that improvements to the water system and construction of a new department building could proceed together.
The appropriation failed to receive the required two-thirds majority after about 40 minutes of debate. Residents applauded. No numerical tally was announced. The vote did not affect the $4.7 million previously approved for the project.
Article 9 proposed transferring Transfer Station management from the Board of Health to the Select Board. Select Board member Jordan Collyer moved to postpone the article indefinitely, acknowledging he should have examined the proposal more thoroughly before bringing it to Town Meeting. Speakers supported improving operations but questioned the lack of an implementation plan.
A 2022 assessment by UMass Boston’s Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management recommended transferring oversight to the Select Board and Town Administrator, with the Highway Surveyor handling daily operations. The assessment cited potential improvements in efficiency, financial controls and coordination with the Highway Department.
Town Administrator Mike Lorenco previously explained the recommendation was part of the rationale for Article 9. He also acknowledged that consultation with the Board of Health before the proposal appeared on the warrant had been inadequate.
During the meeting, Highway Surveyor Garrett explained the Highway Department’s role in Transfer Station operations, including equipment assistance, maintenance, and staffing support. He said the department managed operations for about a year during the COVID-19 pandemic and was willing to discuss taking on the responsibility.
Scott Smith supported the change, saying the Highway Department was better suited to manage equipment and staffing. He cited the Collins Center assessment and questioned the cost of maintaining overlapping municipal resources.
Board of Health Chair Michele Bernier opposed proceeding without further review. She pointed out the relationship between the Transfer Station and the town’s capped landfill, arguing that changes to management responsibilities would require attention to state environmental regulations and permitting. She disputed the claim that public works departments generally manage municipal Transfer Stations, citing her review of arrangements across Massachusetts.
Don Fleming supported postponement until officials clarified state permitting requirements and the proposed landfill solar project.
The landfill has been considered for solar development for several years. Lorenco said the town selected Nexamp after a request for proposals, but delays with electric grid interconnection slowed progress. The developer is now revising plans and pursuing permitting again.
Bernier questioned the potential effect of solar development on the capped landfill. Lorenco said the project requires state post closure approval and the Board of Health would retain environmental oversight even if Transfer Station management changed.
The vote leaves Transfer Station management with the Board of Health for now.
Voters approved the remaining seven warrant articles:
–Article 1 expanded an existing borrowing authorization associated with the Water Street culvert project to permit funds to be used for Highway Building renovations.
–Article 3 accepted Cooper’s Way as a public way, while Article 4 approved $1,342.82 from Transfer Station retained earnings to cover prior-year employee compensation expenses.
–Article 5 authorized easements associated with the Water Street culvert and Knollwood stormwater projects and transferred $65,397.42 in previously appropriated funding.
–Article 6 approved $300,000 in certified free cash for several municipal projects. These included $100,000 to replace a rooftop heating and cooling unit at Center -School; $75,000 to digitize public records; $75,000 for online permitting software; $25,000 for building and grounds maintenance; $15,000 for engineering related to the capped landfill; and $10,000 for website accessibility and cybersecurity improvements.
–Article 7 replenished the town’s grant matching fund with $50,000.
–Article 8 approved $500,000 for additional planning and professional services related to improvements along Main Street, Water Street, Beacon Street and Marion Road.
During discussion, Bonnie D’Souza proposed requiring additional public meetings on landscaping, tree protection, and traffic calming. After the moderator ruled that part was outside the article’s scope, D’Souza narrowed the amendment to include landscape services among eligible professional expenses.
Voters approved the amendment by a simple majority and subsequently approved Article 8 as amended.
Mattapoisett Special Town Meeting
By Jeanne Hopkins