Town of Milford Will Not Be the Only One to Formally “Intervene” in the DPU’S Rate-Setting Process

Milford TOWN CRIER Vol. 6 No.7 Your Hometown Newspaper Since 2007 November 23, 2012 Selectmen to Water Company A Banquet of Champions Customers: Please Show up at Submitted by Jim LeBrun Th e 2012 Milford Varsity Girls Soft ball team celebrated their undefeated, Division 1 State Championship season December 12 Hearing November 10 at the Café Sorrento in Milford. Aft er going 25-0 the girls were treated to a well-deserved night designed By Kevin Rudden just for them. To begin, Coach Macchi recapped the season and some team accomplishments before everyone sat Staff Reporter/Columnist down to dinner, which was served buff et style. Aft er dinner, all team members were presented with personalized Back in 2010, the state Department of Public Utilities (DPU) held sunglasses and jackets, customized posters and a specially made necklace. Th is night was also the time for Coach a public hearing in Upper Town Hall to hear local concerns about Macchi to hand out the individual team awards. the Milford Water Company’s proposed 50 percent rate hike – later Th e award winners were: settled at 33 percent – but only a handful of residents showed up. Rookie of the year – Taylor LeBrun, Unsung Heroines – Sam Bonvino and Caroline Fairbanks, Coaches Award – With the DPU coming again on December 12 to solicit comments Taylor Archer, MVP – Shannon Smith, Sportswoman of the Year – Lindsey Read, Most Improved – Lauren Hanna and about the privately owned utility’s proposed 83.4 percent rate hike, Most Dedicated – Catie Griswold the board is openly encouraging people to show up and sound off . It was a fun night made possible by help from everyone – players, parents, families and coaches. “If no one shows up, their silence is deafening,” said Selectman William Buckley. “At an 83 percent increase, we would expect a fair amount of interest from residents.” At their November 5 meeting selectmen discussed using the board’s December 3 meeting as a forum to give local businesses and residents information to use at the DPU hearing the following week. And, this time, the Town of Milford will not be the only one to formally “intervene” in the DPU’s rate-setting process. Attorney General Martha Coakley’s offi ce announced on November 14 that it is intervening as well. “Our intervention in these cases will help ensure that ratepayers are protected against excessive rate hikes. We are currently reviewing company documents to determine whether any of the claimed costs are unwarranted,” Coakley said in a press release. Her offi ce can now intervene in water rate cases thanks to the provisions a new state law – “An Act Relative to Competitively Priced Electricity in the Commonwealth” – passed earlier this year that broadened the powers of the Attorney General’s Offi ce of Ratepayer Advocacy by allowing it to directly intervene in water rate cases. Although people have busy lives, “this is important,” Chairman Sporting their new personalized sunglasses, jackets and necklaces, the Division 1 State Champion 2012 Milford Varsity Brian Murray stated. “You really need to show up on the twelft h Girls Soft ball celebrated their 25-0 season one more time on November 10. Contributed photo. Inset: Th e 2012 Division and tell the DPU.” 1 State Championship Girls Soft ball Trophy won by the Milford team. Contributed photo As the board discussed ways to get more interest in the hearing, Selectman Dino DeBartolomeis noted selectmen should “treat it like a campaign” and reach out to those aff ected by the proposed A Milford Tradition, the Welcome Santa Parade rate increase. Buckley mentioned inviting members of the town’s Industrial Development Commission, the Milford Area Chamber Generations of Milfordians of Commerce, and large water users such as Milford Regional have started the holiday season Medical Center and Waters Corporation. lining the streets of their town Answering a request by Buckley, Town Administrator Louis to watch bedecked fi re trucks Celozzi determined that the proposed rate hike would cost the with sirens blaring, fl oats spon- Town of Milford an additional $495,284 per year for the water sored by area businesses and used in all town-owned buildings, bringing the town’s total costs bands playing seasonal tunes to $1,099,290 per year. Buckley said taxpayers would ultimately thanks to the Milford Perma- pay that increase, as well as their own home or business increases. nent Firefi ghters Association. Celozzi added that – when allocated to each town department – And this year will be no excep- the increases easily would take up any budget increases projected tion as the Association spon- by those departments for the next fi scal year sors the 25th Annual Welcome If the water company’s rate hike is approved, it “will increase Santa Parade through Milford average quarterly residential bills 83.4 percent, which is equal to on Sunday, December 2. Th e $21.49 [more] per month or $64.48 [more] on a quarterly basis” parade starts about 4 p.m. at and would provide the utility with “an increase in its total annual Veteran’s Memorial Drive near revenue of approximately $3,817,870,” according to the documents Hannaford Supermarket, pro- submitted by the utility to the DPU. ceeds on East Main and Main Manager David Condrey said the rate hike request takes into Streets before concluding at account several major expenses: Draper Memorial Park in the Decorated and lit Milford Fire Trucks will be among the many fi refi ghting apparatus • $600,000 spent to install two granulated activated carbon heart of Milford. that will off er a rousing opening to the holiday season in the Annual Welcome Santa (GAC) fi lters in the fall of 2011 to bring the levels of chemicals Th e thousands of onlook- Parade that will march through Milford on Sunday, December 2. Businesses and known as Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) below the 80 ers from the very young to the groups who want to march in the parade should contact the Milford Fire Department. parts-per-billion “maximum contaminant level” (MCL) set by young at heart, who line the Harry Platcow photo the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the parade route, will enjoy watch- state ing the decorated fi re trucks ride into town with his sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. • Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); from over 30 area towns, holi- Firefi ghter Ted DePaolo, who helps coordinate the annual parade, said it’s not too • Funds spent to conduct two diff erent water treatment pilot day themed-fl oats sponsored late for businesses, groups, bands and individuals to join the fun on Sunday, December studies to determine that the new water treatment plant would by groups and businesses, lo- 2. Anyone interested in participating in the parade should stop by either one of the use a Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) clarifi cation method; cal school bands, several con- town’s fi re stations – 21 Birch St. or 1 Spruce St. -- or call the business phone, 508-473- • Funds spent to design and obtain permits for the new water tingents of pipers and a special 1215, to register. treatment plant; and, guest or two. Last, but by no And while no usually likes snow, on Sunday, December 2, a lot of people don’t mind Th e $16.8 million being spent to build the treatment plant. means least, Santa himself will a sprinkling of the white stuff as Milford turns out to welcome Santa to town. A Word From Our Publisher .........................2 Home Improvement ...............................22, 23 Town Crier Publications Advertiser’s Club Directory .......................... 3 Joe Hyder Roving Reporter ...........................8 48 Mechanic Street Advertiser’s Club Introduces ....................... 5 John Fiedler Cartoon .....................................13 Upton, MA 01568 Business & Real Estate ..................................19 Letters to the Editor ......................................... 4 Classified Ads ....................................................21 Meetings ..............................................................21 POSTAL PATRON Community Calendar...................................6, 7 Mystery Photo ..................................................21 ECRWSS Dining Guide ......................................................19 Ruminations by Kevin Rudden ..................21 MILFORD, MA 01757 Government ................................................16-18 School News .................................................................10-12 WHAT’S INSIDE WHAT’S HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE .........................9 Sports & Sports Flash by Chris Vilanni..13-15 Page 2 The Milford Town Crier NOVEMBER 23, 2012 Deane Dance and The Town Crier is Pleased to Sponsor A Word from our Publisher a FREEF TICKET GIVEAWAY TO: Deadline to by Al Holman enter raffle: Nov. 29 Every time you see or hear an ad on TV or the radio these days, it refers to Black TheThe NutcrackerNutcracker Friday, which is the Friday aft er Th anksgiving, the biggest shopping day of the year. Th ere is a line already starting in front of the big box stores, people waiting for the Performed By The Greater Milford M Ballet Association • Davoren Auditorium, Milford High School stores to open at midnight so they can get the deals on the day aft er Th anksgiving. On the TV all you see is the Black Friday ads telling you to get there quick so you ENTER ME IN THE RAFFLE FOR:(check one) can get that great deal. Th ey are speculating that a year's success for a big box store ❑❑4 Tickets for Sat. Dec. 15 at 4 pm 4 Tickets for Sun. Dec. 16 at 2 pm rides on the aft er Th anksgiving

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