By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Six months ago city councilors unanimously approved an inter-municipal agreement (IMA) with the town of Hudson to supplement its water supply on a temporary basis. Mayor Arthur Vigeant requested the emergency connection to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system and returned to the council Dec. 2 to request a year's extension to the agreement.
Hudson officials expect improvements to their water system will be completed by December 2014, the Mayor stated in his communication to the council.
“It is working well for Hudson and working well for us, so let's go with it,” said Finance Committee Chair Michael Ossing in making a motion to approve. The motion was approved by all.
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 as amended at any time during the term of the agreement, in addition to any additional costs and surcharges incurred by Marlborough. In the event the city encounters pressure and/or supply problems, the service can be stopped with seven days” notice. In the event of an emergency as determined by Department of Public Works Commissioner Ron Lafreniere, the city can stop the supply immediately.
The water is being supplied through the emergency interconnection located at Robin Hill Street in Marlborough. A meter was installed to record all usage which forms the basis by which Marlborough charges Hudson for the service.