Lozzi elected LWSC chair

LYNN – Ward 1 City Councilor Wayne Lozzi said his mission as the newly elected Water and Sewer Commission chairman is to hold the line on rate increases into a fourth year.The commission?s $9.45 per 100 cubic feet rate has remained frozen for three years and will not increase into 2014, said Lozzi. He credited spending restraint by the five-member commission with keeping rates in check. The current combined rate translates into an annual average bill of $756 for homeowners.?I want to continue fiscal restraints that contributed to three years of no rate increases,” Lozzi said.Fellow commissioners Walter Proodian, William Trahant Sr. and Frank Zipper elected Lozzi chairman at the commission?s Monday meeting. Lozzi said commissioner David Ellis did not participate in the vote. Ellis could not be reached for comment on the vote.Lozzi succeeds Trahant as chairman – a title Trahant held for six of his 14 years on the commission. Trahant said his tenure as chairman saw Water and Sewer complete storm and sewer line separation work along Eastern Avenue aimed at reducing releases of partly treated sewage into the ocean.Trahant warned that additional, expensive combined storm sewer overflow work must be undertaken by the commission, especially in West Lynn neighborhoods around Oakville and Bennett streets.?We are trying to find out what it will cost. It has to be done; we can?t do it half way,” he said.Lozzi, Trahant and Ellis found themselves at odds earlier this year over votes to give pay raises to top Water and Sewer Commission managers. Meeting procedures surrounding the votes prompted Ellis to file a complaint with the state Attorney General that Lozzi said remains under review.?They will complete the review following which they will issue a decision,” Lozzi said.Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].