Enterprise Fund Correspondence
November 6, 2003
Harwich Town Administrator
Attn: Wayne Melville
732 Main Street
Harwich, MA 02645
Ref: Chapter 165 of the Acts of 1935
Dear Wayne,
The Harwich Board of Water Commissioners would like to express
its sincere thanks to you for looking into the changing of Chapter
165 of the Acts of 1935. However, the Board of Water Commissioners
no longer has any interest in trying to modify and or abolish this
enabling act.
The Board believes that in the best interest of the rate payers
of the Town of Harwich, we should continue to pursue M.G.L. Chapter
44, Section 53F1/2, which establishes an Enterprise Fund. We feel
that with our 30 year fiscal plan, where funds are generated through
rates, an Enterprise Fund would prove to be in the best interest
of both the rate payer and the tax payer. As you are aware last
year's rate increase was in anticipation of the Water Department
switching to an Enterprise Fund. It was also our understanding
that you and the Board of Selectmen understood that this additional
revenue would be used for infrastructure repairs and upgrades.
To use any portion of these additional funds anywhere else would
not be fair to the rate payers.
We, as the Board of Water Commissioners, feel that using any monies
generated from Water Department Revenues for any other purpose
than water related projects, would not sit well with either the
rate or tax payers.
With the completion of our 30 Year fiscal plan, we can see that
an Enterprise Fund is the preferred mechanism to carry out that
plan and will prove to be in the best interest of both the rate
and tax payer. We therefore request your support in moving forward
in establishing an Enterprise Fund.
Should you have any further questions regarding this letter, or
should you require any further information or assistance, please
do not hesitate to contact me at 508-432-0304.
Respectfully,
Donald Bates, Chairman
Harwich Board of Water Commissioners
Cc: Harwich Board of Selectmen
State Representative, Shirley Gomes
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