Agenda Text
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Requesting approval of an Administrative Order relative to the establishment of a Water and Sewer Department.
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Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
Pursuant to Section 37 of Chapter 400 of the Acts of 2012, which amended the Charter of the City of Somerville, I hereby introduce the attached administrative order which establishes, subject to your approval, a Water and Sewer Department in the city of Somerville.
Section 37 of Chapter 400 of the Acts of 2012 allows the City of Somerville to pass, subject to approval of 2/3 of the Board of Aldermen, administrative orders that establish operating divisions for the orderly, efficient or convenient conduct of the business of the city. Administrative orders may provide for the combination, separation, creation or dissolution of departments, provided that all essential city functions are assigned to a department, board, commission or office.
Under Section 40 of the City Charter, the Division of Waterworks within the Department of Public Works is charged with the care and management of drains, sewers, and waterworks in the City of Somerville. Under this administrative order, functions currently assigned to the Division of Waterworks will be reassigned to the Water and Sewer Department.
This administrative order will provide benefits to the City of Somerville by establishing a separate Water and Sewer Department, which will be directly accountable to the Mayor. Maintaining water and sewer infrastructure is an essential city function, particularly now as the City continues to develop; the creation of a separate Water and Sewer Department will provide for increased efficiency and responsibility in performing these crucial duties and functions.
The duties and functions of the Water and Sewer Department described in the attached administrative order are intended to be read broadly and serve to illustrate but not to circumscribe the duties and responsibilities of the department under the charter, ordinances, and the general laws.
The Law Department has determined that if this order is approved, amendments to the following ordinances will be necessary to reflect that the Water and Sewer Department is no longer a division of the Department of Public Works: Section 11-1; Section 11-3; Section 11-4; Section 11-121; Section 11-124; and Section 11-125.
The only additional costs associated with the approval of this order will be any increases to the compensation of the Director of Water and Sewer, as approved by the Board of Aldermen, to reflect the increased responsibilities of the position.
My staff will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Respectfully submitted,
Joseph A. Curtatone, Mayor