Board of Water Commissioners Meeting — June 17, 2026

The Swansea Water District Board of Water Commissioners met on June 17, 2026, to address district business including insurance renewals, construction rates, project updates, and regional drought restrictions. During communications, the board acknowledged the upcoming retirement of Mike Bacon set for April 9, 2027, and authorized Superintendent Jeff Sutherland to sign the FY27 HUB insurance policy renewal totaling $129,899.16. Financial items noted included a pending Massachusetts Clean Water Trust loan repayment of $1,044,267.86 due July 15, along with invoices from Wright-Pierce and Nomadou Associates.

In business items, the commissioners voted to approve the FY27 construction rates reflecting an increased dump truck rate, approved a fire alarm inspection quote with FirePro Fire Protection Service Inc. ($450 and $350), and approved an amendment correcting an easement at 50 Old Providence Road from 20 feet to 30 feet. The proposed FY27 water rate schedule was tabled so staff could evaluate charges for larger commercial meter sizes such as a 6-inch fire meter for a Route 6 condominium project. Discussion on placing a telecom cabinet for i3 Broadband at 700 Wilbur Avenue and engaging Bartholomew & Company to manage an Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) trust were also postponed for further information. The board also voted to deny a backdated abatement request for 130 Harbor Road.

In the superintendent's report, Sutherland announced that the Southeast Region was declared in a Level 2 significant drought by MassDEP on June 12, requiring mandatory district-wide restrictions limited to handheld watering only. Daily district water consumption was reported at over 2 million gallons, more than double winter levels. The board subsequently adjourned into executive session at 6:35 PM to discuss real property matters.

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