DPW Geared Up For a Long, Snowy Weekend

The DPW is prepared for this weekend's blizzard.

“We’re in for a long weekend,” DPW Commissioner Andrew Pappastergion said. “But we know what’s coming, so we’ll be ready to go.” Pappastergion said that the number one concern with this impending storm is tree branches and power outages. “People should be prepared for power outages through town,” Pappastergion said. “With high winds and heavy snow, the potential to lose power is a factor.” Pappastergion said that the DPW will spend all weekend cleaning the snow off of the roads. Monday will be a snow removal day to get rid of snow banks in parking lots.  “The timing on this storm couldn’t be better,” Pappastergion said. “Everyone should be home from work and off of the roads by the time the heavy stuff starts.”

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Town Officials: Brookline's Hurricane Prep Paid Off

Brookline officials reported to the Selectmen at last night's meeting.

Yesterday's hurricane pounded the town with winds, left hundreds without power and brought a number of tree limbs to the ground--it even caused a transformer explosion.  Emergency operatives were working from early morning until late at night, and town workers are still working around the clock. Brookline's various departments were prepared, officials told the Board of Selectmen at last night's meeting.  Police Chief Daniel O'Leary said that the town's emergency operations center was open from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and brought together personnel from the Brookline Fire Department, Police Department and Department of Public Works to monitor and respond to the situation. "These are the times when inter-deptartmental communication works to …

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Governor Patrick Swears in Andrew Pappastergion to Sixth Term on MWRA Board Of Directors

Andrew Pappastergion was sworn in by Governor Deval Patrick on July 24 for a sixth term on the MWRA Board of Directors. Mr. Pappastergion represents the MWRA Advisory Board.

New Water Rates for 2012 Approved

Board of Selectmen approve the Department of Public Works' new water and sewer rates for 2012, which have increased from last year.

Water bills are going up again, roughly 5.7 percent based on the Department of Public Works' (DPW) rough estimates.  DPW Commissioner Andrew Pappistergion explained that despite water consumption decreasing about .05 percent, their budget had increased by about $1.6 million. Of that, about $1.1 million is an increased assessment from the Mass. Water Resource Authority (MWRA) and over $416,000 represents capital equipment and improvement costs. While he says it is difficult to quantify an increase like that, because water rates are calculated on a lot of variables, the combined increase is about 5.7 percent. Using an estimated standard of "average" water use for a four-person family, this amounts to about a $75 increase. This time last year…

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