WORCESTER—Worcester’s state legislative delegation is calling on the Department of Conservation and Recreation to uphold a two-decade-old agreement ensuring the city is reimbursed for wastewater treatment services.
In a letter sent this week to EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper and DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle, two state senators and four state representatives representing Worcester urged the agency to enforce its payment obligations under a 2000 agreement that allows the towns of Holden, Rutland, and West Boylston to send wastewater through Worcester’s sewer system. The deal helped the towns avoid building a nearly $1 billion water treatment plant while guaranteeing Worcester a preferred reimbursement rate.
“The City of Worcester did not have to sign this agreement,” said Senator Michael Moore, D-Millbury. “In entering this deal with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the city saved the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – and by extension the taxpayers – $1 billion. All Worcester asked was that DCR ensure the fees for its services were paid on time and in full. With the Town of Holden unable or unwilling to pay Worcester for the use of its wastewater treatment services, the least DCR can do is uphold its end of the deal and secure the funding that the city is rightfully owed.”
Representative Jim O’Day, D-West Boylston, added, “For 25 years, the City of Worcester has upheld its responsibility to transport wastewater from the towns of Holden, Rutland, and West Boylston through their sewer system as part of an intermunicipal agreement brokered by the state. This arrangement has proved to be a valuable and cost-effective public service, saving taxpayers over a billion dollars in additional infrastructure costs. Despite promises from the state’s Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) that Worcester would be paid fairly for this service, the city has been left carrying an immense financial burden. It’s time that the Commonwealth honor its clear responsibility under the contract, enforce the agreement, and restore fairness to its residents.”
Senator Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester) said, “For over 20 years, the city of Worcester has provided a critical service to the towns of Holden, West Boylston, and Rutland, saving these towns and the Commonwealth upwards of a billion dollars. From day one, the Department of Conservation and Recreation was at the center of the agreement between Worcester and the towns. It is unacceptable for DCR to abdicate its responsibility to manage that agreement and to collect the fees that are owed to Worcester for use of their wastewater treatment services. The Worcester State Legislative Delegation has and will continue to push to ensure Worcester is paid for the services it provides.”
The agreement gives DCR two options to secure payment if a town fails to pay: use the “Cherry Sheet Intercept” process to collect from the town’s local aid or request a legislative appropriation to cover the payment. The delegation’s letter notes that despite the 2000 agreement, DCR did not pursue the Cherry Sheet Intercept process before approaching the Legislature. DCR has claimed it lacks authority to use this tool, though it had previously threatened Holden with its use, prompting questions about the legal basis of its current position.
“Twenty-five years ago, the City of Worcester, in good faith, negotiated and entered into an agreement with DCR,” the letter states. “It’s time for DCR to fully perform and honor the good faith agreement between the state and the City of Worcester. The City of Worcester should be made whole by DCR under the terms of the agreed-upon contract.”
The letter was signed by Senators Michael Moore and Robyn Kennedy and Representatives James O’Day, David LeBoeuf, Daniel Donahue, and John Mahoney. A full version of the letter is available online.
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