Plum Island Water, Sewer Rate Bill Sent To Governor

Measure will save residents money on new water and sewer project

The Legislature engrossed House Bill 5305, relative to the interest rates for the Plum Island water and sewer project last week. Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen) and Representative Michael A. Costello (D-Amesbury) worked to move the bill through the Legislature during informal sessions after it was filed in July at the request of the Newburyport City Council and the Newbury Selectmen. Governor Mitt Romney has 10 days to review the bill.

“Hopefully this addresses some of the concerns that Plum Island residents had concerning interest charges and will save them some money in the long run,” said Representative Costello. “We were happy to work with the mayor, the City Council and the Newbury Selectmen to make this happen.”

The legislation would allow the City and the Town to set the interest rates for the betterment payments that Plum Island property owners will be charged to pay for the new water and sewer services there.

"The working families of Plum Island expressed reservations about how the betterments would be assessed and I believe that, by working together, we have addressed their concerns," said Senator Baddour. "I will be contacting Governor Romney's office to champion the bill's signing."