Flying low to avoid detection

From what it appears, this information is being kept under pretty tight wraps; even I kept it under wraps until now:

The DPS will be asking the City Council on Monday for money for emergency repairs to the city's clear well. That's an underground cistern (tank) where our drinking water is held before being sent out to homes.

From what I understand, DPS Director Brendan O'Regan brought it before the council as information at the special meeting of the City Council that was held last Wednesday and which was ... well, not really well attended (although it was posted, I am told).

That meeting was called so the Council could go into executive session to discuss the taking 115 Water St. by eminent domain to be part of the upgraded sewer plant facility.

Another fun episode of "it was posted." Funny how when things are on the agenda that might alarm or inflame the public, no one really knows about the meeting (usually I am notified by someone or the other when a special meeting has been called).

As soon as I heard about this clear well thing, I marched into the water/sewer dept. and confronted Dan Sweeney, who said I should speak to Brendan but who also mentioned the word "collapse."

It's an old, old system and so indicative of how our infrastructure is crumbling. When I talked to the candidates for mayor, I think both of them brought up sidewalks and there was a question about the sewer plant so that was discussed but I have never really heard anyone - other than O'Regan and his staff - bring up the dire situation at the water treatment facility.

I attempted to speak O'Regan yesterday but when I called him, he said he was at the dentist and would call me back. Maybe he tried; I was out most of the afternoon. It was after City Hall closed at noon.

I am guessing that both these things fall into the category of "late file items" since I don't see either one on the agenda I got from the clerk's office.