Town Meeting Abolishes Elected Water Board
Walpole Town Meeting votes 69-55 to scrap its elected Sewer and Water Commission for an appointed board. The citizens' petition, led by Susan Lawson and 16-year Finance Committee member Josette Burke, survived a 55-67 vote to table and a roll call forced by member Brad Hickey.
Town Meeting · Meeting of May 5, 2026
Walpole Town Meeting votes 69-55 to scrap its elected Sewer and Water Commission for an appointed board. The citizens' petition, led by Susan Lawson and 16-year Finance Committee member Josette Burke, survived a 55-67 vote to table and a roll call forced by member Brad Hickey. Sitting Commissioner Bill Abbott backed the switch, saying his board mostly just approves "a status report" and meeting minutes while staff run operations.
Opponents like Commissioner Pat Fassanello, who won his seat with 1,300 votes, warned "your vote counts... but it doesn't if this article is passed." The new five-member board will be named by the Select Board, Finance Committee and moderator. A parallel bid to make the Finance Committee elected failed on a no-action vote after a substitute motion was ruled out of order. Town Meeting also approved $536,957.99 for Walpole Media Corporation and authorized a push for special MWRA legislation.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 935 words
Source: the Town Meeting meeting of May 5, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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