Pollution Control District Gets Top Grades from Auditor

The commissioners of the agency that handles sewage from Franklin and other towns, the Charles River Pollution Control District (CRPCD), met at their Medway offices Thursday afternoon. Franklin was represented by Mark Cataldo as well as Wolfgang Bauer, who participated remotely.

The first part of the meeting was a visit by representatives from Powers and Sullivan, (represented by a Ms. Stone and Mr. Peacock) the audit organization used by CRPCD.

They said they found no misstatement or anything of significance that would require a change in any account balances – and they complimented executive director Elizabeth Taglieri, for always being able to supply needed information in a timely fashion.

They did acknowledge that shifting economic conditions had necessitated some changes in assumptions, particularly with monies held for longer term needs.

The biggest liabilities for the organization were primarily pensions and other post-employment benefits (OPEB).

Since nothing of importance came to their attention that would merit comment in a “Management letter”, there was none. Though, Peacock noted that many organizations require lengthy letters, in one recent case coming to 42 pages.

The Commission voted unanimously to accept the report.

They then discussed and approved a draft 2024 budget as well as Fourth quarter O&M [operating & maintenance] and Capital projects and assessments for FY 2023, namely

TOWN O&M Capital Total

Bellingham $58,540 $31,739 $90,270

Franklin $468,160 $53,800 $521,960

Medway $146,900 $46580 $193,480

Millis $82,110 $1,410 $83520

Totals $755,710 $133,520 $889,230

A discussion of budgets led a question of whether staff have been trained to OSHA 10 and Taglieri said that is part of her focus for this year.

Personnel matters including COLA rates were discussed as well as turnover and hopes for recruitment. Taglieri said she planned to invite an organization of young wastewater treatment professionals to tour the facility in April as part of their ‘Poo and Brew’ series....She expressed the hope that an attendee might be impressed enough to apply for one of the open positions.

In the balance of the meeting matters discussed included:

• The engineer’s report on energy savings and ongoign GIS work to confirm location of manholes across the system.
• The engineer and executive director provided an update on enforcement efforts with Garelick farm, which appear to be heading to resolution.