Winthrop is a small town on Boston Harbor. Over the last few years, it has seen a very steep increase on its water and sewer rates. Winthrop is part of 22 communities who use Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) as a wholesaler for water and sewage services. Winthrop is home to Deer Island Water Treatment Plant ran by the MWRA. Although it is on Boston land, the only access to the plant is through Winthrop. Of all the communities MWRA services for both water and sewage Winthrop residents are the ones that are charged the highest rates.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 20 water and Sewer rate of $22.90 increased to $23.65 for FY21, a 3.3% increase. This adds to the previous increases:

• On May 2018 rate was increased from $16.90 to $19.90 (18% increase)
• On February 2019 rate was raised from $19.90 to $22.90 (15% increase)
• Then this year August 2020 to $23.65 (3.3% increase)

This is a total of 40% since 2017 ($16.90 to $23.65).

These increases mean that out of the 22 municipalities utilizing MWRA, Winthrop residents pay the highest rates for sewer and water.

Since 2017, the Winthrop water and sewer rate has outpaced Massachusetts cost of living such as rental prices (8.8%), house price index (17.3%) and minimum wage (15.9%).

The current increase also comes during the COVID-19 pandemic where there are many people still out of work. Before the pandemic, the unemployment rate in Suffolk County was at just under 3%. During the month of September 2020 that rate was just over 11%.

The rate increase is explained as “necessary to afford investments in the Town’s aging water/sewer infrastructure, such as the lead line replacement project, and other ongoing expenses in fiscal year 2021.” Although it is understandable that upgrading the water infrastructure and replacing lead pipes is imperative, it comes at the cost of residents if a budget does not have capital or surplus. The mandate from the state to replace lead pipes is also understandable, but the state needs to understand every municipality budget is different and in Winthrop the increased rates are putting pressure on the residents. The town can also audit for any wasteful and over spending that help mitigate the costs of these projects. For example, government contracts can be audited for over spending.

These infrastructure updates have ended up harming the very same people they were intended to help, by way of increased fees. These increased fees are particularly harmful to residents who have been affected by COVID-19 as well as those with low income.

Many, if not all, the towns and cities are also working on infrastructure upgrades to replace lead piping as mandated by the state. Yet the residents of Winthrop are the highest charged for water and sewer. How do these other municipalities keep their rates lower than Winthrop? Many, if not all, have not had the same increases as Winthrop over the last several years. Why? What are they or we doing differently? Should municipalities work with state to treat each municipality as their own for the infrastructure mandate rather than a blanket order?

As per Robert DeMarco a member of the town council the rates are set by the Winthrop Town Manager. There was previously a vote for an audit in which the council voted 4 - 4 with one counselor absent. This meant it did not pass and an audit was never made.

A complete report for more background can be found at: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xad2kXFFnn5J7Lr9QsP-gl1OdsMxMW58/view?usp=drivesdk

We, the residents of Winthrop, MA are asking that we know how our taxes and fees are being used. We request an audit of the towns spending to assure us that the town is effectively spending their budget and within the rules and regulations set forth by the town and state legislature. We also understand that the recent infrastructure upgrades are needed but we need a balance between the upgrades and the debt/cost that the residents end up incurring in increased rates.