Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,
Billy,
I think it is great that you’re posting about the water meter issues. A lot of residents don’t realize that water systems have to follow preemptive statutory language. The legislature has never passed governing legislation for smart water meters, and these devices function beyond the definition that applies to analog meters. Because of that, the billing that comes from them is arbitrary and does not meet the standards required under preemptive statute.
There are also data collection concerns. Hourly usage reveals patterns about when someone is home or not, and that information is not protected by consumer law and is not excluded from public records.
People can challenge this individually, but a class action can help residents who do not know how to navigate the process on their own.
Just as an FYl, your post is perfectly reasonable.
Thanks,
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BILLY’S RESPONSE:
“Thank you xxxxxx very much appreciate your kind words! Thank you!
Most people just pay their bills without fighting them, many complain but don’t do nothing about it. I was very fortunate to have interviewed a meter installer/ manufacturer who came clean and told me the story that’s why I am compiling a list of names who want to take place in a class action lawsuit where I will give them all this necessary information and let them run with it!
Sincerely,
Billy T