Rockland Sewer Commissioners Resign En Masse

Town faces critical decisions on $50 million plant upgrade amid leadership vacuum; Select Board appoints interim superintendent

ROCKLAND, MA - October 15 - The entire board of Rockland Sewer Commissioners has resigned, leaving the town without leadership in a critical infrastructure department. The unexpected move comes as Rockland faces significant challenges with its sewer system and compliance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Town Administrator Doug Lapp announced the resignations at the October 15 Select Board meeting, stating that the commissioners stepped down the previous week. The departure leaves the Sewer Department without oversight at a crucial time.

"As of last Monday, all the Sewer Commissioners have resigned. We have no Superintendent in place," Lapp said. "We are currently without any leadership in that department."

The resignations come as Rockland grapples with the need for a major sewer plant upgrade. Early estimates for the project range from $50 million and up, according to John Ward, a longtime resident and former town official who addressed the board.

"This sewer plant situation is the biggest threat this town is facing," Ward said. "The sewer plant was built in the 1960s. It has not had a major upgrade. We are at maximum capacity."

Ward warned that the upgrade costs could potentially reach $100 million, which would significantly impact ratepayers if spread over 20 years.

The town is currently under its second consent order from the EPA. Ward cautioned that failure to comply could result in severe consequences.

"If you violate the current consent order, all it will take is the EPA to go into court to arrest control of the sewer plant," he said. "They will come in, they will get it fixed, and they will give the town the bill."

In response to the leadership vacuum, the select board voted unanimously to appoint Highway Superintendent Dave Taylor as interim sewer superintendent. Taylor has previously served in this capacity twice before.

Lapp praised Taylor's willingness to step up, saying, "I want to thank him for what he's done in the past and for agreeing to put his name forward for you to consider to do this again."

The board also discussed the process for appointing temporary sewer commissioners to serve until the next annual town election in April 2025. They will be seeking letters of interest from residents to fill these positions.

Amid these challenges, the Select Board approved a $1.5 million borrowing for the Sewer Department. Town Treasurer Allison Sullivan reported that Fidelity offered the best rate with a 4% coupon and a premium.

Lapp explained that the borrowed funds, combined with $1 million in ARPA funds, will go towards "design with the consultants, the engineers that the sewer commissioners hired for future improvements at the plant to help get the plant back into compliance with all of its permits."

The Sewer Department's issues have sparked debate about the town's approach to growth and development. Select Board Vice Chair Lori Childs called for a future agenda item to discuss new growth from a financial and planning perspective.

"Rockland loses out if we sit on the sidelines with little to no new growth," Childs said. "I would like to ask that on a future sooner than later agenda that we put a new growth discussion to talk about it from a financial perspective."