To the editor:
In response to Steve Bannon’s letter that recently appeared in The Berkshire Edge, there seems to be some confusion among the parties as to named intervenors in the Housatonic Water Works rate case.
On July 13, 2023, at my request, the question of intervenor appeared on the Stockbridge Select Board agenda. If you forward to 48:45 on the recording of the meeting, you will hear the discussion. The upshot of it was I made the case that I would volunteer to do a financial analysis of the rate case.
Selectman Chuck Cardillo: “I make a motion that Patrick be our intervenor.”
Selectman Jamie Minacci: “I second.”
Unanimously approved.
I recognize that Great Barrington and West Stockbridge chose not to name one of their respective members as an intervenor. Stockbridge named me.
I just today received this update from our town counsel:
The DPU recently amended the scheduling order. They have put the hearings on hold and will be taking further written submissions concerning the settlement agreement. In other words, instead of live testimony, they will be taking the Town’s — i.e., your positions on the settlement in writing … Our initial comments would be due May 30 — so roughly the same timing as the hearing, and then we will have a further opportunity to submit reply comments to anything any other party submits on June 6.
I will reiterate in my testimony the same point I have been saying for 10 months: Every borrowing should be secured via the state’s Clean Water Trust or from federal sources. Such a course of action would result in massively lower rate increases for the duration of this phased project and beyond.
If anyone would like to discuss this further, feel free to contact me.
Patrick White
Stockbridge
The writer is a member of the Stockbridge Select Board.
Click here to read The Berkshire Edge’s policy for submitting Letters to the Editor.
