Regarding a DPW
Will a DPW be more expensive for the Town then the present
structure?
How do the Selectmen/Administrator find a DPW will benefit the residents of Holliston?
Will the Selectmen bring this proposed structure change to Town Meeting for a vote?
Since the Selectmen oversee the Highway Department and the Administrator as I understand it has weekly meetings with the various
Departments, how will there be better coordination with a DPW?
What happens at department meetings with the Administrator? What are the responsibilities of the Administrator in coordination of the Highway and Water Departments?
Holliston’s water supply is very fragile and requires a scientifically knowledgeable superintendent who ascertains water quality and plans for the future.
We do not receive our water from the MWRA where they are responsible for water quality. Our water quality and supply should not be dependent upon a political move.
If this is a proposal, then it is an apparent political move as it appears it would give the Selectmen and Administrator more power over the water department.
As a toxicologist who has been involved in town water issues for many years, the town should be grateful that a study of the water pipes was done, although we do not like the price tag it shows future planning and protection of our resources. I urge you to remember that to maintain a good quality water supply is much more complicated and requires a skilled and trained scientist this is much higher level of training than maintaining our roads.
Elizabeth Bourque-Theiler, Ph.D.
For background information on the DPW study, go to:
http://www.hollistonreporter.com/article/3987/The-DPW-Organizational-Committee.html
For any concerned Holliston citizens who actually have WATER on their radar screens... Holliston's water issues have been going on for years. I did an article 2 years ago about ongoing issues. Read about it here: http://metrowesthome.com/?p=278 Summary from my perspective - Our water department has been run poorly for a very long time. A majority will notice before long, it just hasn't happened yet.
Ed Daniels | 2012-08-14 15:47:02
The fact that Dig Safe was not called by the Highway Department which is overseen by the Selectmen makes one question further how the Selectmen would be able to oversee a DPW. Further, why did not the Selectmen answer Paul Sauniers question about Dig Safe they deferred to the Town Administrator which says that the Town Administrator "oversees" the Highway Department. The Town Adminsitrator meets with Department heads,did he not know check whether the Highway Department called Dig Safe? When something goes wrong it is "pass the buck" and they want control over our water supply??? There is no such thing as the Town pays, it is we the tax payers who pay. Paul Saunier wrote: "There is absolutely no excuse or defense for not calling Dig Safe, especially for a department that deals with excavation on almost a daily basis." He is so right! Liz Theiler
liz theiler | 2012-08-13 21:10:29
The last thing this town needs is another out of control bureaucracy milking the taxpayers. Hire a scientific consultant if tests are needed. The public sector in this town has expanded to way beyond its usefulness and needs to be downsized dramatically and the system itself needs MAJOR changes made. Mark my words...the pain will be ten fold if we don't address the situation and it will effect everyone. It may already be too late.
Sean | 2012-08-10 11:01:39