Town embarks on major improvements of its water system

By Mark E. Vogler

Selectmen voted unanimously at Tuesday night’s meeting to approve a Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) loan totaling $900,00 to make major improvements in the town’s water system.

“The project managed by the DPW and their engineers is scheduled to be undertaken in 2025, involves the replacement of approximately 500 linear feet of existing 12-inch unlined cast iron pipe with new 12-inch cement lined ductile iron water main on Ballard Street between the Salem Turnpike (Route 107) and Eastern Avenue,” Finance Director & Treasurer Collector Wendy A. Hatch advised selectmen in a recent memo.

“A second project area includes the replacement of approximately 400 linear feet of 10-inch unlined cast iron pipe with new 12-inch cement lined ductile iron pipe on Central Street between Elm Street and the Saugus River. Water services will also be replaced with copper pipe within the limits of the project areas,” Hatch said.

Selectmen voted in support of the $900,000 water bond to the MWRA. The bond will be payable without interest on Feb. 15 of the years 2026 through 3035, with a $90,000 installment each year, according to the documents related to the vote. The bond is issued based on a vote of Town Meeting on May 10, 2021, authorizing a total borrowing of $2.9 million.

“Having a strong bond rating allows us to borrow and pay less,” Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree told selectmen at Tuesday night’s meeting.