Pittsfield Councilors Ask for Citywide Water Meter Plan

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City officials would like to see all of Pittsfield on metered water.  

On Monday, the Public Works and Utilities subcommittee mulled how to best approach the endeavor.  This was in response to a petition from Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren and Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey requesting a plan to offer qualifying homeowners water meters at little or no cost to them.

Councilor at Large Karen Kalinowsky has also advocated for water meters to lower costs for seniors on a fixed income. With this system, residents are charged on the volume of municipal water used in the household.

The panel will reconvene in about a month with further demographic information and possible paths forward so that they can create a citywide plan to send to the full council.

Kavey said they are taking "a step in the right direction" and Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales voiced support for the effort.

"We are one of the largest communities, if not the largest community in Massachusetts that is not fully metered," Morales said.

With about $430,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, the city is offering a limited meter program to 352 residents who receive a personal tax exemption. Some meters have already been acquired and the city has begun the bidding process for contractors.

Councilors see this as a starting point but would like an extended water meter program. Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Maffuccio specified that he would also like to see it available to low to moderate-income families.

"There is going to be phases to this I think," Ward 3 Councilor Kevin Sherman said. "I think we're going to have some test and learn situations. It appears that the first attempt that was based on something already in place."



He said several factors need to be taken into consideration including the qualifying factors outside of tax assessment such as age or income, what the process will look like, and what the cost will be.

A water meter would run a person about $900 to $1,200 to purchase and have installed.

"We want to be equitable with who is going to be eligible for this and make sure that everybody's taken care of, but also we do it responsibly," Sherman said.

Morales explained that the city is now approved to commence the Integrated Water Resources Management plan that includes a study of the metering system.

"It is essentially looking at our utilities holistically," he explained. "Not just our sewer but also our water."

He later explained that this would provide a system that benefits people who consume less, for better or for worse.

Warren pointed out that he is not worried about the larger households who have a swimming pool and water their lawns to look like country club grass paying their fair share.

The subcommittee also sent a petition from Warren and Kavey requesting to determine if water meters will be required for all new residential construction or service.


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State Fire Marshal: Fall Back Safely

STOW, Mass.—With the end of daylight savings time coming on Nov. 3, Massachusetts fire officials issued a seasonal reminder to check smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and change the batteries when changing clocks.

"Working smoke and CO alarms are vital to your safety at home," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "As we 'fall back' this weekend, protect yourself and the people you care for by putting fresh alkaline batteries in alarms that use them and replacing alarms that are out of date."

Today's smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have the manufacturing date printed on the back of the device. Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years, and CO alarms should be replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions – usually 5, 7, or 10 years, depending on the model. Unless you have newer alarms with 10-year sealed batteries, this is also a good time to replace the alkaline batteries in all your alarms. And remember to test your smoke and CO alarms once a month to be sure they're working properly.

Heating Season Brings Carbon Monoxide Hazards

Foxborough Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, emphasized the importance of working carbon monoxide alarms as we enter the colder months.

"Carbon monoxide is a leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, and heating equipment is the main source of carbon monoxide in the home," Chief Kelleher said. "We can't see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide. Working CO alarms are the only way to detect this invisible killer."

Replacement Alarms Should Have Sealed, Long-Life Batteries and a Hush Feature

Replacing your old single-station smoke alarm? Choose alarms that have sealed, long-life batteries and a hush feature. This makes it less likely that someone in the home will use the batteries for another device, forget to change them twice a year, or remove them when cooking causes smoke in the kitchen.

"Disabling a smoke alarm puts you, your loved ones, and everyone in the building at risk," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "Never remove batteries from a smoke alarm except when putting fresh ones in."

Alarms Should Be Listed by an Independent Lab

Massachusetts requires that all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). Listed devices will have the laboratory's mark on the back. In recent years, fire officials have seen numerous smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that were purchased online and either have counterfeit marks or no mark at all.

"Smoke and CO alarms can be the difference between life and death, but only if they work properly." said Chief Kelleher. "When you purchase a new alarm, choose one from a well-known, national brand. We've seen many alarms that were purchased online and don't meet the safety requirements of our State Fire Code. If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is."

Create & Practice a Home Escape Plan

"Changes to building construction and furnishings mean we have less time to escape a fire at home than ever before," said State Fire Marshal Davine. "You could have just three minutes to get out safely."

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