Politics & Government
Malden in Debt Mess with Roads/Water
Contractor misses deadlines, increases fees, overage$ piling up. Cleaner water stalled.
Focus: I will fight hard to keep our schools from having to shoulder any of the costs for someone else’ mess. Not on the backs of our children.
http://malden.wickedlocal.com/article/20150422/NEWS/150428813
The mayor told the City Council that work scheduled for the remainder of this calendar year will cost $5.7 million, of which $3.6 million would be borrowed in a bond against the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund. Christenson estimates that this will affect resident’s water bills with a less than 1 percent increase.
After years of missed deadlines and overages going into the million$, the taxpayers of Malden will be asked to come up with more money for an upgrade project, that WAS supposed to save Malden residents money and make the local government a little bit more efficient in water management.
“We’ve had them here several times and the story has changed several times,” said Councilor Craig Spadafora. “I feel like, quite frankly, CDM Smith has failed us.” Spadafora continued, suggesting the mayor ask the firm for a discount on future work due to the overages.
Ever since my fight with the city five years ago over the outrageous water bills, I’ve been particularly sensitive to water issues and billing. To know that all of our water bills WILL increase due to a management scenario by a faulty contractor is disheartening.
