Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Billy, what is going on in the water department? They have persistently accused me of having a leak at my house and I continue to pay for it because they claim it’s on my property and to notify a plumber. But this has been a routine of plumbers looking for a phantom leak. Water scope backs this up. But over time this small leak turns into dollars, hundreds and thousands of dollars.

Is this their next plan on how they push out long time residents? Someone in the state house should be looking into this. I am tired of paying plumbers who cant find a leak. The system is broken with the trades as well. Just because we collect rents as landlords, they expect to be paid a kings ransom. I have been a landlord for over 25 years. I use a local realtor who finds exceptional tenants. But if I have to hire contracts constantly then how could we ever save any money? It’s impossible. The most absurd rumor I have heard is that the former mayor was given an office at city hall. If this is true, we are doomed.