Letter to the Editor: 06.12.2025

06.12.2025

Is a surprise $34.4 million water and sewer debt enough to convince the voters of Watertown and Oakville that it is time to make a change to our leaders in government?

Watertown objected to Waterbury’s increased water and sewer fees in 2018.  Waterbury sued to collect the fees.  In 2023, the Superior Court ruled in favor of Waterbury. The Town held a public meeting to explain why we owed Waterbury $19 million for a lawsuit the rate payers knew nothing about.  The residents spoke against pursuing an appeal and spending more money, but members of the Water and Sewer Commission, Town Attorney Paul Jessell, and Town Manager Mark Raimo paid no mind to the residents and insisted on justifying their view that an appeal should be filed.  As predicted, Watertown lost its appeal, and we now owe Waterbury $34.4 million.

Residents should hold everyone involved accountable, especially the Republican Town Council members.  Someone decided to reduce the amount owed on the invoices Waterbury sent toWatertown,yet there was never a vote held to uphold that decision.  Who was the culprit?  Will we ever know?  It is time to change the current Watertown politics – before we go bankrupt.  Think Independent  2025.

Linda Clarke