Joint Committee Hears Newton Pension Bond Request, Walpole Commission Abolition Draws Opposition

BOSTON -- June 23, 2026, Massachusetts legislative committee hears four home rule petitions, with Walpole's water board fight drawing the most opposition. The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, co-chaired by Senator Rebecca L. Rausch and Representative Jack Patrick Lewis, took testimony June 23 on Senate Bill 3092, which would authorize Newton to issue pension obligation bonds to address an unfunded pension liability ahead of a 2035 deadline, with CFO Maureen Lemieux estimating $10 million in budget flexibility over five years if issued. The most contentious item was Senate Bill 3087, which would abolish Walpole's elected Water and Sewer Commission, in place for more than 130 years, and replace it with an appointed advisory board overseeing an enterprise fund exceeding $15 million. Town Administrator James Johnson reported town meeting approved the measure 69-55, with the Select Board voting 5-0 and the Finance Committee 11-1-2 in favor, but elected commissioners Pradeep Mishra, Patrick Fascinello, and George Hodges all urged the committee to reject the bill, warning it would strip ratepayers of direct electoral accountability over utilities funded entirely by user fees.