By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – In the “spirit of being a good neighbor,” the City Council unanimously approved an inter-municipal agreement (IMA) to have the city supplement the town of Hudson's water supply on a temporary basis.? Mayor Arthur Vigeant requested an emergency connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system at the July 8 council meeting.
In his communication to the council, the mayor said:? “As a neighboring community who is best positioned to assist the town of Hudson during this time, I authorized drafting of an inter-municipal agreement that would allow us to supply Hudson up to an average of 500,000 gallons per day for distribution. The MWRA has asked that this IMA be executed no later than July 15, 2013, as their board of directors made their approval contingent on both Marlborough and Hudson entering into the agreement.”
The Hudson Board of Selectmen has already approved the action. The town has recently had to shut down two of its wells due to high levels of iron and manganese.
“We'se just trying to help our neighbor.? We'se not looking to make money and don's want it to cost us anything,” Vigeant said. He emphasized that Hudson will be covering all costs, including administrative and legal fees.
Ronald LaFreniere, the commissioner of Public Works, also offered reassurances to the councilors.
“I have a copy of an email from the program manager for the MWRA confirming we would not be charged [for the water going to Hudson] in our next year's assessment,” he said.
The agreement states that Hudson will be billed monthly by Marlborough at the prevailing MWRA water rate in effect on the date of the IMA and may be amended at any time during the term of the agreement. Hudson will also pick up the tab for any additional costs and surcharges incurred by Marlborough related to the agreement. In the event the city encounters pressure and/or supply problems the service can be stopped with seven days” notice.? If an emergency emerges, as determined by LaFreniere, the city can stop the supply immediately.
The water will be supplied through the emergency interconnection located at Robin Hill Street in Marlborough. A meter will be installed to record all usage which will form the basis by which Marlborough charges Hudson for the emergency water service.
