EAST BAY — To the editor:
We have a new executive director for the Bristol County Water Authority. Pam Marchand, previously with the Providence Water Supply Board where she acted as chief engineer and general manager, will be taking the reins at the end of the month.
At this point we can continue to talk about vetting procedures, and lack of transparency in the selection, and broken promises, but I think it best that we move forward and hope for the best. I wish her success in her endeavors at BCWA and hopefully some important changes that have been held in abeyance while waiting for a new executive director, will be executed.
I would hope that the first order of business would be to get out an RFP for legal services so that they can get out from under the astronomical $375 per hour that they are currently paying! I don’t think anyone disagrees that this must be a top priority.
And not just for the monetary savings. If Ms. Marchand is to establish herself as the new leader of the BCWA she must start by being unencumbered by “we always did it this way” type thinking. She will hopefully have new ideas that she is bringing to the position and needs to be able to put them in motion.
I have been advised by BCWA that regular flushing of the water lines will begin again in April after being stopped by Pasquale DeLise four years ago due to lack of funds. This is an important function from a health standpoint and there have been many outbreaks of cryptosporidium across the nation when this procedure has been neglected.
I think the thing that I am most looking forward to is the possibility of having an executive director that will keep the lines of communication open and speak honestly and directly with her ratepayers.
Marina Peterson
Bristol
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