City Services Committee Hearing on Senior and Disability Discounts by Boston Water and Sewer Commission - August 17, 2026
City Services Committee Hearing on Senior and Disability Discounts by Boston Water and Sewer Commission - August 17, 2026
Note: The provided instruction states the meeting took place on August 17, 2026, but the transcript indicates August 14, 2026. This summary uses the specified date; the discrepancy is noted.
This informational hearing, chaired by City Councilor Ed Flynn (District 2), focused on Docket #0932: an order to discuss discounts for seniors and persons with disabilities offered by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC). The hearing aimed to educate the public about existing programs and explore improvements. Panelists included Dolores Randolph (Chief Communications Officer, BWSC), Nicholas Rossi, Darlene Wallace, and Emily Shea (Commissioner, Age Strong Commission). No public testimony was offered.
Discussion Items
- Current Discount Program: BWSC offers a 30% discount on water, sewer, and stormwater charges to eligible homeowners. Eligibility: owner-occupied residential properties (1–4 units), residents aged 65+ or those who are “fully disabled” (per enabling statute). Approximately 11,000 homeowners receive the discount, including 900 fully disabled individuals. Application is one-time, requires proof (e.g., ID, doctor’s letter, or SSA award stating “fully disabled”), and can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. No income limits apply.
- Definition of “Fully Disabled”: Councilor Flynn noted that the term “fully disabled” differs from disability ratings used by the VA (e.g., “service-connected disabled”). He requested a future conversation to consider including language that would benefit disabled veterans with specific percentage ratings. BWSC agreed to review this.
- Payment Plans & Avoiding Termination: BWSC emphasized proactive communication. Payment plans can extend up to six years. Customers are encouraged to call BWSC at 617-989-7070 to discuss hardship; termination is a last resort.
- Leak Detection & Assistance: BWSC offers water conservation kits with dye tabs for toilet leak detection. Seniors with suspected leaks are urged to contact BWSC, which can monitor consumption patterns and provide guidance. Leak repair assistance programs are available.
- Other Financial Assistance Programs: BWSC highlighted several additional programs: no-cost lead service line replacement, sewer lateral financial assistance (up to $8,000), leak repair with interest-free 24-month payment, and stormwater credit grants.
- Outreach Efforts: Age Strong and BWSC partner on cost-saving clinics (over 40 in FY26), table at community events, and distribute materials in multiple languages (English, Chinese, Spanish). Information is also shared via Boston Seniority Magazine, social media, and the BWSC website.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes or decisions were taken; the hearing was informational.
- Councilor Flynn will publicize the programs through social media and cable television to increase awareness.
- BWSC agreed to explore updating the “fully disabled” language to potentially better serve disabled veterans.
- The committee encouraged residents to apply for discounts and contact BWSC or Age Strong for assistance. BWSC reaffirmed its willingness to work with homeowners on payment plans and other programs.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. My name is Ed Flynn, the district city councilor in District 2. I'm chair of the City Council Committee on City Services. Today is August 14th, 2026. The exact time is 1003. This hearing is being recorded. It is being live streamed at Boston.gov city council-tv in broadcast on Xfinity Channel 8 RCN Channel 82 FIOS Channel 964. Written comments may be sent to the committee email at CCC.gov and will be made part of the record and available to all city councils. City councils. Public testimony will be taken at the hearing, whether it's before or after, depending if anyone wants to testify. As we mentioned, the public can also send an email. And when people do testify in person, they will have an opportunity to speak for two minutes. The sign-up sheet is off to the left hand side there. If you are interested in testifying in person, please add your name to the sign-up sheet. If you're looking to testify virtually, please email our central staff liaisons on ShanePack at Shane SHANE. At Boston.gov for the link, and your name will be added to the list. Today's docket is zero nine three two. This is an order for a hearing to discuss discounts for seniors in persons with disabilities by the water and soil commission. The matter was sponsored by City Council Flynn, myself, and City Council Wurrell. It was referred to the committee on May 6, 2026. I want to say thank you to all of you for being here for the professional work that you're doing on behalf of the residents of Boston. Actively monitors the health and function of its systems via pipe relining, pipe replacement, and other preventive, preventative maintenance programs, including water main flushing, pipe cleaning, catch basin cleaning, among others. Eligible properties must be owner-occupied residential dwellings. To request a discount on water and storm water charges, residents must complete the discount form available for download as a PDF or in person at BWSC offices. Residents who are customers of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission that require payment assistance are encouraged to call the Commission's collection department at 617-9890. 617 989 7070. I look forward to the discussion with our panelists today to talk about this important program, a unique important program that offers discounts to persons with disabilities in our seniors. And I'm I want to use this opportunity really as an opportunity to educate the public. Certainly, it's going to be this hearing will be on cable television, and one want to ensure that when people do find this on cable television, that they can watch this for a few minutes and maybe follow up if they're interested in this program. I highlighted the panelists that are here. Um not sure if the water and sewer wants to start first or if age-strong wants to start first, but from the water and sewer team. Um I'll start with remarks. Yeah, that's excellent. Thank you. So we appreciate the opportunity to join Commissioner Shea with the Age Strong Commission to discuss our shared goal in helping our older residents. My name is Dolores Randolph. I'm Chief Communications Officer at Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Glad to be here with our team, who you uh mentioned their names earlier, um Nick Rossi and Darlene Wallace, um, along with other senior staff from the commission. As referenced in the hearing order, since its creation by the Massachusetts legislature in 1977, our mission at Boston Water and Sewer Commission is to provide sound, economical, and efficient water supply, distribution, sanitary sewage, and stormwater drainage system for the benefit of the people of the city of Boston. Um the Enabling Act also allows the Commission to provide reduced rates for persons 65 years of age or older and for fully disabled persons. To date, we have approximately 11,000 homeowners receiving this discount, 900 of whom are fully disabled. The board of commissioners had welcomed the opportunity to offer this discount, and over time has increased the benefit to eligible homeowners. Initially, homeowners received 25% off of their water portion of their bill only. To date, currently, they're receiving 30% off of their water, sewer, and storm water charges on their bill. We believe this discount is fair and helps reduce the financial burden on these ratepayers to maintain this important resource. As Commissioner Shay and I have experienced, you know, we our teams feel that this information should go out to multiple um residents throughout the city. We have Boston Water and Sewer Commission has participated in aid strong's cost-saving events as well as many community events across the city where residents attend and we share this information along with our other programs. So we've brought along for your review certainly the discount forms as well as program information for um your constituents to distribute to your constituents and that outline our benefits. So basically, we're happy to discuss this further today. Thank you.
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