Love it

Thanks Arlene Violet!

We really appreciate your support.

Nice to see the East Bay Four on Arlene's "nice" list!
Thank you, Arlene.

Most of BCWA's problems come from their continuous desire to avoid transparency at all costs. Consider their pension plan which their Chairman, John Jannitto, claims is 92% funded. It's not if you apply proper accounting standards (they currently use "pre Raimondo" pension accounting practices).

Since 2010, the pension plan had approximately $8 million on the credit side, but $2.5 million on the debit side from a very small number of retirees who took their pension in a lump sum check.

Washinton Trust reported to BCWA on Dec 14th that there was only $5.1 million remaining in the pension trust fund to cover all the remaining employee lump sum checks, a long way from what is actually needed and not 92% funded as Mr Jannitto has publicly stated.

I asked BCWA for the details on the $2.5 million, but to my surprise, BCWA's CFO replied back (yesterday) in an email that I would be charged $375 for asking the question because he did not have any details on the pension payouts and that information would have to be created. So the CFO had no idea how in the last 17 months, a bulk of the pension plan's assets were removed to cover only a small number of retirees.

That is how BCWA transparency works. It based on poor accounting practices and board members not asking all the questions needed for FULL transparency.

Kudos to you Arlene for being the people's advocate and to Marina Peterson for stepping on the toes of those officials at BCWA. I am still a firm believer that this water authority should be under the watchful eye of the PUC. Perhaps a second try at the bill will produce fruit next year. Good job !

They need to totally clean house in the BCWA. I commend these brave people for not backing away from the intimidation of the BCWA. This group like so many others that are given a little bit of power they forget their true value in the big scheme of things. They turn their little lives into their self made kingdom. I hope at the end of the day every single one of them gets booted out!!!

Thank you all for your comments! We need to all support each other in this quest for a transparent water authority. It hasn't been easy, and there is a lot more to be done. We must all keep a close watch on the vetting and hiring of the new Executive Director. The new director will be able to call for a thorough audit to clear up any "misunderstandings" and start fresh! Somehow I feel that there are many who want to avoid this. What is it that they are afraid will surface?

How true, how true, though "naughty" is an understatement to me? This is an has always been about the BCWA and the Board not seeing to the needs of its customers or the taxpayers, that own it, lock, stock, and barrel.

Why is the bond for the Pipeline hardly had a cent spent to have the principle reduced, why is the bond at 1.26, when 1.25 puts it in default.

Why has the complaints of 2,400 customers, with very low water pressure been ignored for decades. Why are 50% of the Fire Hydrants on the system under standards set by the NFPA, (National Fire Protection Association) according to the recent PARE report.

Where is the outrage from the councils to ask for a house cleaning after a superficial and watered down B&E report, showed major problems with in not only the management and labor waste, but a system of ineptitude and draconian business practices that go back to the original company, Yes the board actually has admitted that on occasion, that is about how modern and forward thing this BCWA has been under the current leadership in management and the Board over the last 20 years or so.

The delays and transparency and reports, or studies are the only thing this BCWA does. Get rid of this monstrosity immediately, it is obvious there is no saving it or any real need for it, other than to be a transfer station for Providence Water Authority.

Like many others who have fought this BCWA I am tired of the Politics involved which are so obvious to me and many others.

Naughty & rotten.... see Ted Nesi's (WPRI) Blog about something rotten in the Bristol County Water Authority:

http://blogs.wpri.com/2011/12/21/morse-something-rotten-in-the-bristol-county-water-authority/#more-40401

Naughty, naughty Mr. Klepper...

BCWA Rant on Ratepayer (#2 in series). December 20, 2011 ratepayer objects to illegal meetings on December 19, 2011 & December 20, 2011. BCWA Director Allan Klepper yells & swears at ratepayer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOjogJe2-uM&feature=youtu.be

BCWA Rant on Ratepayer – February 3, 2010 BCWA rate hearing.
The ratepayer needed information to prepare for the hearing but BCWA withheld public records. BCWA Director Allan Klepper yells at ratepayer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6HtnEj7-YM

Is any BCWA board member embarrassed yet? In this critical decision for the new Exec, the board has willingly compromised the search through illegal meetings and underhanded tactics.

Last night at the Bristol Town Council meeting, it was discussed that Director Joe DeMelo (you know, the only one who asks questions on behalf of rate payers while the rest sit like puppets), was told by Chairman Jannitto in a phone call not to attend the vetting meeting of the candidates because it was only going to be a subcommittee meeting. That was a lie to Joe to get him out of the way.

Shame on you Mr Jannitto!!!!!

Then the board knowingly went into an illegal executive session to get the records behind closed doors. In order to hold an executive session, RIGL states that those applicants have to first be contacted and given the option to vet in public. The Board admitted it hadn't done this (it's recorded) and knew they were entering into an illegal meeting.

Shame on you again Mr Jannitto for claiming you want transparency, but do everything to show you just want the next "crony puppet" in place.

Is any board member embarrassed yet??

The choice for a new BCWA Executive Director is looking more like a crony who will do the bidding of "big government" local officials and insiders feeding off the rate payers.

We have the highest water rates not because it is any more expensive in the East Bay, but instead to provide the feed stock to "big and expensive" local crony's.

Take for example Sandra Mack's billing at $475 per hour for years, measured against the same legal counsel for Kent County Water Authority who only charges $160 per hour.

The vetting of the candidates has had no formal process and so any contrived resume with a subsequent contrived point score will do the trick for this board. It has been corrupted!!!

This is about East Bay cronyism and those who have sat silent while this went on. It won't stop until those council members who endorsed the sitting board members are removed, and those board members who sat silent while contrived point scores for the new Exec Director candidates were created.

Great editorial, front and center in the Providence Journal today.. pUBLIC IS not THE ENEMY!!

http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/ProJo/LandingPage/LandingPage.aspx?href=VFBKLzIwMTEvMTIvMjM.&pageno=MTY.&entity=QXIwMTYwMA..&view=ZW50aXR5

Again... keep a vigilant eye on the Executive Director choice. This is the BCWA's opportunity to show that they are sincere in wanting to clean up their act.

Dec 21, 2011 Bristol Town Council video - 2:07 mark to the end. Here's a rough idea of what was discussed (not a trascript). Watch for yourself: http://www.bristolri.us/council/videos.php

Ursillo says there is no agreement to pay Mack’s legal fees for B&E audit. (Contrast with what Mack said at BCWA Board meeting, Nov 10, 2011: “Ms. Mack stated ... she is still within budget, subject to the efficiency report cost being borne by the 3 towns and the authority, as originally determined.”)

The Bristol Town Council talks about the Anawan lease. Ursillo says it can be cancelled in one year. Parella says that's not what Mack says.

Treatment plant is down. They discuss need for a redundant supply. Marshall & Parella have a chitty chat about the Shad - if we don't have it, the Providence & Pawtucket systems could charge us whatever they want, so the costs could get out of control. (They don't seem aware of ways to control costs- like legislation & aren’t the costs out of control now?) They talk about getting RI politicians to go to MA Governor/politicians to get the water. Then they realize that they lack jurisdiction. (Oh well.) Marshall talks about RI resource recovery leaching into the Scituate reservoir. (scare?) Parella says the Scituate Reservoir may not be able to supply the state forever. (scare?) They like the Shad. (They don’t seem to remember why “the Act” was enacted in the first place – even though Parella’s been around a long, long time.)

Okay people I believe the time is right to ask the question of whether it would be less expensive and to have a higher quality product by shutting down the BCWA.

Build a backup pipeline with the savings to the nearest treated water so the cross bay pipeline can be repaired without a loss in water supply when it breaks.

Ratepayers are being bamboozled. Continuing this back and forth is fruitless.

I want the Town Councils as representatives of the owners (us) to do a very simple study on the financials of shutting down the BCWA. Give the PWSB the oversight on contract work and billing. They are under the supervision of the PUC so we would be safe from local yocals getting over on our Town Reps.

Ms. Mack was billing $475 per hour to BCWA last year at the same time when Jannitto was blaming a "wet summer" for the big rate increase.

An RFP for a new attorney should have been pursued then. But Mr. Jannitto is oblivious, and lacks ability and integrity.

Mack's rate is now $375, which is still very exorbitant. Kent County Water only pays it's General Counsel $160 per hour (less than half Mack's rate). BCWA stopped needed infrastructure projects due to lack of funds, but still pays Mack's high $375 rate.

Why arn't our Town Councilors objecting to Mack's outrageous rates / billings?

BCWA has paid hundreds of thousands in legal fees to Mack's firms in the last 3 years alone.

A sample of the legal expense components from a recent listing:

$65,937 related to the pension plan (excessive, especially since there are less than 40 employees).

$17,622 related to the "Roger Williams Water Tank Storage Tank Agreement" (I see no value of this agreement to the ratepayers, and the amount is excessive ; also, Roger Williams University should have at least paid the legal fees, since it was the benificiary).

$78,194 related to the AG Complaint, which is excessive especially since BCWA could have just complied or asked the AG for free advice.

BCWA needs to puruse an RFP for a new Attorney now. Ms. Mack provides poor legal advice at excessive rates, and she was caught helping Jannitto with the improper "probing letters" - she lacks credibility.

Are the ratepayers entitled to know who the five or six finalists are in the search for an Executive Director? Is it deemed to be "none of our business"?

The December 19 & 20, 2011 Executive Sessions were illegal.

Whatever was decided at those private meetings is null & void. They whittled the applicants down from 17 to 5. The meetings should be redone properly.

The applications were submitted at the above-referenced meetings. Someone could ask to see them.

The Board has compromised and tainted the process.

But what is the public to do? Make a request for records & to have the process done properly? At what risk? From experience, we know what the BCWA Board would likely do… blame the public for Macks’s $375 an hour, refuse to cooperate, maybe send an unauthorized “investigatory probing letter” and then lie about it, maybe threaten to sue and then lie about it…

Is there no BCWA director brave enough to say the truth?

Are they all too afraid of their respective Town Councils?

What’s going on here?

Uh.......it's kind of like an unfunny BCWA version of "If You Give a Moose a Muffin".

Jannitto insisted that doesn’t know Mack’s rate and was not involved in these details (Hummel Report).

But see excerpt from April 13, 2011 BCWA Board minutes:

“The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bristol County Water Authority was called to order by Chairman Jannitto…”;

“Review of Legal Services… To substantiate and approve payment for legal expenditures incurred by the Chairman of the Board, it is sufficient that the Chairman put his initials next to the corresponding line items. Director Sylvia stated that all billed hours are checked. Ms. Mack’s rate now is $375 per hour. Mr. Hewitt stated that $375 was a high amount. Director Klepper stated that BCWA has received fine representation with Hinckley Allen & Snyder.”;

Jannitto & Mack were caught writing improper, unauthorized, "probing" investigatory letters and threatening a pretend lawsuit. Mack has provided poor legal advice. Jannitto is unfit to be a BCWA director.

It’s time for the Tri-Town Councils to rectify this corruption.

Hummel interviewed Jannitto at the BCWA offices.

Why didn't Jannitto just ask the new "CFO" (functionally speaking) for a number?

You know, "Hey, New Guy, how much do we pay Mack?"

Janitto said that Mack is worth what the BCWA pays her because
“She’s keeping the board out of hot water”. (Hummel Report).

If he thinks this is "out of hot water" what does he think IN hot water looks like?

$500,000 BCWA pension “distribution error”:

Washington Trust Portfolio Valuation report for July 1, 2011 – December 11, 2011 shows a $500,000 “Reimbursement of May 2011 distribution error”.

Who authorized the $500,000 erroneous distribution?

http://www.bcwari.com/bcwa/images/pdfs/investment.pdf

BCWA $500,000 erroneous distribution from the pension assets:

Washington Trust Investors (Portfolio Valuation) Report at December 11, 2011 shows a $500,000 May 2011 “distribution error” going back into the pension portfolio.

Who authorized the erroneous distribution of $500,000 (almost 10% of the pension assets)?

When was the error discovered? The above-referenced report went to the BCWA board in December.

When was the $500,000 actually re-deposited?

How was the $500,000 mistake discovered? Did BCWA get the interest that they would have made had the money not been erroneously distributed? To whom was the $500,000 erroneously distributed?

The BCWA board must be very upset that such an erroneous distribution was made.

The Tri-Town Councilors must be very curious about the facts related to this big mistake.

Anyone being held responsible for this?

http://www.bcwari.com/bcwa/images/pdfs/investment.pdf

There is one important point being lost in all the discussion about Mr. Jannitto’s controversial actions and decisions over the last several months. That point is that the responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of the three Warren Town Council members, Mr. Stanley, Ms.Tattrie and Mr. Frerichs, who together voted in March to reappoint Mr. Jannitto. It shouldn’t also be forgotten that the very night Mr. Jannitto was reappointed, Mr. Stanley said “There’s a witch hunt going on, and that witch hunt has to stop, when it’s based on rumor, innuendo and in some cases flat out lies, then it’s got to stop”.

Some of that blame must also be shared by certain members of the Bristol and Barrington Town Councils, because of the constant defense of their long term members on the BCWA Board of Directors over the past year. I hope this isn’t all forgotten when and if these Town Council members run for reelection.

BCWA $500,000 pension asset distribution error – more questions:

Where is this $500,000 “distribution error” mentioned in Bostian’s Valuation Report?

http://www.bcwari.com/bcwa/images/community/Actuarial_Valuation_Report.pdf

Doesn’t the actuary have a role in calculating the distribution amounts for any annuities and lump sum distributions? Or does someone else over there at the BCWA do the calculation and authorize it for the bank to deduct & pay out?

You’d think the BCWA board & the Tri-Town Council would maybe want some answers about how & why a $500,000 distribution error could happen.

These questions should be asked before Mr. DeLise walks out the door.

Beginning balances by Bostian (Actuarial Report)
http://www.bcwari.com/bcwa/images/community/Actuarial_Valuation_Report.pdf

& Washington Trust Investors (Portfolio Valuation)
http://www.bcwari.com/bcwa/images/pdfs/investment.pdf

seem to reconcile (except for Bostian’s accrued interest & dividends):

$6,145,945 (Bostian includes $22,097 of “Interest & Dividend Receivable), Washington Trust shows $6,123,848. http://www.bcwari.com/bcwa/images/pdfs/investment.pdf

How & when did Bostian find out about the “Distribution Error” of $500,000?

Is the “distribution error” sitting in Bostian’s disbursements of $1,276,817?

Washington Trust report also shows $55,094 Dividends & Interest added to a loss of ($244,045) for a total of ($299,139). They DEDUCT this from the balance to show an ending balance of $5,140,425. Why deduct interest & dividends?

http://www.bcwari.com/bcwa/images/pdfs/investment.pdf

BCWA Pension Plan Actuarial Valuation Report at July 1, 2011 (“Actuarial Report”) shows employee benefit payments actually paid out of $1,276,817 for the year July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011. No detail.

http://www.bcwari.com/bcwa/images/community/Actuarial_Valuation_Report.pdf

Washington Trust Investors Pension Portfolio Valuation at December 11, 2011 shows benefit payments actually paid out of $1,304,492 for the 5 ½ month period July 1, 2011 – December 11, 2011. No detail.

http://www.bcwari.com/bcwa/images/pdfs/investment.pdf

How much is Mr. Delise's "lump sum"?

Who is going to calculate it?

The same person who made the $500K mistake?

My a New Years resolution by Jannitto to resign will be forth coming along with Mack canceling doing her so called "Save the BCWA no matter how much money she makes" will also quit.

The sham continues, the lack of oversight continues, the wild spending spree's continue, the waste of time on the treatment plant continues, the lack of transparency continues, the lack of paying principle on bonds continues, the lack of leadership continues, the lack of funding from any outside source to take a chance continues, the lack of pension reform continues.

Lets face it nothing seems to have changed at all other than more excuses, more secrecy and the addition of intimdation of citizens exercising their constitutional rights in as Unamerican way as I have ever seen. What's next detain those citizens indefinetly under the new national law, to stop redress protected under our Constitution.

I guess they could lock them up in the treatment plant, since it is not used for water treatment and still staffed so they would not at least have to spend more money needlessly. What a bad name the BCWA is giving this state, of which it needs no more help in that by the way.

This is not about their image, it is about, it is a Dictatorial BCWA against the ratepayers and the taxpayers of this County and State. As the Founders Stated tyranny will not stand.

What I don't understand is ... why is Delise still there? What are they waiting for? Is he to personally choose his successor to be sure that there are no wrinkles? I heard he may be there until the end of January...

Marina - My guess is that the BCWA Board knows that residents know that the Exec search has been corrupted. That point score system was based on improperly vetted resumes and thus the assigned point score itself is corrupted.

In the final list are several good managers who will not be intimidated, and several who would be intimidated. Residents want a strong leader, not a follower. Now the Board is stuck with making a choice for the next crony puppet they really want, or a good leader they don't want. This board is used to having it's own way.

Maybe Delise's trying to give the new "CFO" (functionally speaking) all the necessary information to ...uh...you know... "tick & tie" all the numbers that answer all the questions that have been raised (but not answered) over the past two years?

Yeah...that's the ticket!

Can you imagine being the new CFO over at the BCWA?

Uh...uh....Mr. DeLIse, what about that $500,000 pension distribution error that
happened JUST BEFORE the LAST "CFO" (functionally speaking) retired? What's up with that, Mr. DeLise? How does it tie into the actuarial reports, Mr. DeLise?

Uh...uh...Mr. DeLise, where are the reports that reconcile the state funds we got over all those years for the pipeline & the Pretend Treatment Plant & the Shad and uh... what about those "school" renovations ($1,000,000 or so) from the Shad Fund?

And, uh....Mr. DeLise ..uh...what about land deals....uh....and related parties and straw..uh....uh...?

How do I project chemical expenses...uh... you know ...for a Pretend Treatment Plant? Is that more of an art than a science?

What's up with the sludge??

What about the Roger Williams water tower AND those legal fees WE paid?

Why do we pay so much for legal services?? $375 an hour (down from $475)?! That's not what the other CFO's pay.

As to stimulus money....we didn't get any because it was too much red tape?

We gotta take that B&E report seriously, right? Right?

Would the board would mind if I got the East Bay Four in here to help out?

Just shut it down.

The rest of the Board must be embarrased by Jannitto's bungled illegal executive sessions, where they improperly chose and discussed the "final 5" in those 2 private meetings.

Especially after it was revealed that Jannitto apparently tricked Mr. DeMelo into not coming to the meeting...

The decisions made in the illegal meetings are "null & void".

Now what will Jannitto and Klepper do?

Obviously, they want a crony puppet; otherwise why all the tricks and secrecy?

"We took the wells off line for the hell of it!",

BCWA Board Vice-Chairman Allan Klepper explaining to BCWA ratepayers & the Barrington Town Council why the BCWA "decommissioned" the Nayatt Wells (Nayatt Road, Barrington, RI) even though “the Act” says the wells are to be maintained. (As quoted on the front page of the "Barrington Times", December 28, 2011.)

Well, well, well.

Ed Achorn's editorial on The Public is Not the Enemy is now on Tea Party Nation... a nationwide site ... and is receiving comments from all over the country. You can view it at http://www.teapartynation.com/profiles/blogs/editorial-by-ed-achorn-providence-journal-ri-public-is-not-the?commentId=3355873%3AComment%3A1735065&xg_source=msg_com_blogpost

Again.... vigilance is required as "they" choose the new Executive Director. There are many questions to be asked. I am still concerned on the method that was used to "whittle" the 17 down to 5 if none of the resumes were vetted.

The selection process has been badly compromised, and there is cause for concern.

Janitto & Klepper "whittled the 17 down to 5", and then discussed the "final 5" at illegally closed private meetings, with deficient meeting Notices, and Mr. DeMelo was apparently tricked into not attending.

The tricks and improper avoidance of transparency shows they want a puppet crony.

Where are the Tri-Town Councilors?

A fresh start would be wonderful.

The fresh, new "CFO" (functionally speaking) can - right now - ask all the questions that need fresh, honest answers.

Mr. DeLise could give fresh, honest answers before he walks out the door.

A shiny, fresh new lawyer could be hired to take a fresh look.

A fresh, new, open CEO could be hired.

The Tri-Town Councilors could make a fresh start and look at BCWA anew.... like they've never seen it before. Like they have no cronies. Like they have no ties to the past.

A fresh new BCWA board with fresh new directors could be appointed as the old terms expire in February 2012.

And all the Tri-town councilors & all the BCWA Board members could make a nice, fresh effort to be nice to the public.

Even when the public asks the hard questions that deserve fresh honest answers.

A fresh start. That would be nice.

Mr. Delise wasn't in any hurry to get to work today, as I witnessed him heading into Warren around his usual late morning entrance into Town. It will not hurt my feelings to see his shiny dodge company truck parked at BCWA knowing that someone more responsible will be sitting behind the wheel in a few weeks. But I really do feel bad for the next guy in, He or She is gonna have their hands full straightening out the mess left behind by this man. I know what my first move would be! Hire a less expensive lawyer that gives better advice. That would be a really good move in the rite direction for a start. Happy New Year!

The Failure -BCWA Board Chairman Jannitto has failed to hold DeLise responsible.

Even so, Jannitto was reappointed a 3 to 2 vote of the Warren Town Council.
Tattrie, Stanley & Frerichs in favor.

The Chairman of the Board is where the buck must stop. Period.

Contrary to what Jannitto would have us believe his role is, the Chairman of the Board has serious duties. Disturbingly, Jannitto says his role is to keep people happy. (See Jannitto's extended 12/11 interview at Hummel Report & on YouTube.)

And Mr. Klepper has turned out to be a big, big disappointment, to say the least. He yells too much. And swears. Obviously, anyone who has to respond that way is a problem and should not be on the board of the BCWA.

It is time for fresh leadership. And term limits. Despite the following from Mrs. Tattrie:

"Warren Town Councilor Catherine Tattrie also opposed term limits, but for a different reason. “We’re a small town,” she said. “We don’t have as many people to serve. This could be an issue in filling posts with the highest quality people."
http://barrington.patch.com/articles/limit-water-authority-board-terms

Mr. Jannitto expressed his thoughts about people who are not “born & bred” in Warren. (See extended interview at Hummel Report).

Nonetheless, we think there are plenty of mighty good people in Warren - regardless of where they were "born & bred" - who could get the job done if given a chance.

(BTW,Gary the meeting was 12/20/11)

I dont think the troubles of the BCWA started when Jannitto became Chairman, If you look at the time line of problems they seemed to begin way before he was Chairman. But that doesn't excuse him from some of the issues. Im not going to keep looking backwards, Im going to look forward to the new person being hired. (Whom ever that may be) and a strong willed individual will do whats rite, regardless of what the Board tries to impress upon them. As far as the term limits issue, I have mixed emotions. I think it's dependant on what the position is (What Board). I sat on planning for 4 years and it was difficult at times, but I feel things were accomplished. I dont think people should be on for 15 or 20 years. I think we should have provisions in place to make changes when trouble arises. The trouble with Term limits are...how do you gauge them. A new person sitting on a Board is going to spend their first year just navigating their way through things, your second year you start to get your feet wet, your third year you realize you can make a difference, then in your fourth year you find where you fit in with the other members. By the time year five comes along you have probably already pissed off someone and need to decide whats more important, to stand by your goals or take an ass whippen for upsetting someone. It is a difficult goal to set for any Board. But anyway, I hope the next person can fix whats wrong with BCWA. Happy New Year.!

Respectfully, "looking backwards" is necessary to understand what failed at BCWA, so that all the necessary remedial measures can be implemented. Only after fixing the problems that caused the BCWA failure can you realistically "look forward" with hopes for a fresh start.

Jannitto is a complete failure as Chairman.

As Chairman, he is responsible for the mismanagement that has caused the demise of BCWA into a big mess. He was oblivious to the problems until they were exposed by the public. And then, instead of acting like a leader and addressing the problems pointed out by the public, Jannitto engaged in a petty campaign seeking retribution (threatening pretend lawsuits, probing letters, etc.).

And now, most recently we understand that he has corrupted the Exec Director interview process by tricking Mr. DeMelo into not attending meetings, and illegally conducting the meetings as closed meetings without proper Notice, etc.

Jannitto's mismanagement of BCWA and reprehensible conduct towards the public is indefensible.

Respectfully, he needs to resign, or be removed so that there can be a "fresh start".

We are not fooled by any illogical argument that BCWA may be about to hire a new CEO who will be so "strong willed" that he will be able to manage and "fix what's wrong with BCWA" IN SPITE OF the dysfunctional elements of the BCWA board.

Chairman or not, Jannitto's been on the board a long, long time. He has now fully revealed himself (thanks to Hummel). Jannitto has not shown the necessary leadership skills. He has not fixed the problems. He has not shown the necessary intellectual curiosity that is required to get BCWA onto the right path. Why? Jannitto is the "poster boy" for the argument in favor of term limits.

BCWA is not too much more than a deteriorating distribution system for Providence Water, decorated with an overly expensive hunk of administrative & legal expenses and benefits.

Who authorized the $500,000 May 2011 erroneous distribution? What are the facts of that? Is the new "CFO" (functionally speaking) getting a full explanation? The union must want to know how $500,000 could have erroneously come out of the pension fund? Could it happen again?

Also, is the $500,000 distribution error still sitting in the actuary's $1,200,000 of distributions prior to June 30, 2011? What's the $1,300,000 of distributions for July 1- Dec 11, 2011? Can someone get some answers, please? Thanks.

You find when they hide the truth from the people they will revolt eventually. Too many are spending other peoples money like it was unlimited and that is taking us all down. Accountability is the only thing that can save us as we move forward to find some sanity in the waste of so many. Crimes are taking place and they must be held accountable for those crimes. Unfortunately there are so many liberal socialist judges we are having a hard time getting the justice we seek. Make your vote count and be very aware of the activities of your local government. We need to take our communities back and control our own destinies from this day forward. God Bless and Happy New Year.

John, If you are impressed with the numbers and information brought forth so far... you will fall over when/if you see "the rest of the story". The documentation that many of us have is mind-boggling. You just wonder how this sort of thing could go on for so long!! If these directors choose a crony Executive Director, then nothing will change. That is the issue. Again.... WHO is vetting the candidates????
As to the directors themselves, the buck stops with the three town councils whose members have reappointed the same old guys over and over again, supposedly hoping for change. The public can see now that change was not the goal here.... keeping the status quo was. It will be an interesting election year this year.....

BCWA IS NOT TRANSPARENT
BCWA DOES NOT INTEND TO BE TRANSPARENT EVER
BUREAUCRATS FEATHER THEIR NEST AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE
VOTER APATHY IS THE PROBLEM
VOTERS ... WHY WAIT ... REVOLT NOW

I deal with BOD's all the time, even train members on ethics of BOD's.
It's evident this BOD is not working in the best interest of the public trust.
Being above board and transparent is the epitome of what a BOD is obligated to serve.
The people in this jurisdiction have the lawful right to request a fair accounting.
I would submit the question: who is paying who?

I am including a link to the recent State of the State program that discussed the Bristol County Water Authority. It was outstanding and gives the audience a better idea of how much time and effort has gone into this investigation (done by 4 private citizens)

http://ocgri.org/staley1211.html
We are now at a crossroads. We hesitate to take legal action on the most recent infractions of the Open Meetings law because it will only add to the coffers of Sandra Mack, at rate-payer expense. We certainly would not take any legal action ourselves for the same reason. It is imperative that the new director be someone who is not chosen because he/she will play their game. We need someone who will call for a full project audit and a complete internal audit. Business cannot go on "as usual" with the only change being a new face at the helm. Some of the candidates have impressive resumes, but who has vetted them? If a candidate says the worked at XYZ, but neglects to put down that he/she was fired from that position... who checks on that? We have asked this question many times, but there is never an answer.