To the editor:
After long and agonizing years of discussions, meetings, studies, and, finally, education regarding the responsibility of the Town of Great Barrington to ensure accessible, affordable, and safe water, it is time for voters to support our town government in the acquisition of our water systems.
There are proposals pertaining to specific changes in our current water systems that put us on the road to an upgraded water infrastructure and greater operational and administrative efficiency.
Housatonic Water Works (HWW) Treasurer Jim Mercer proposes that the town acquire HWW and establish a new independent water district that could be structured similarly to the Great Barrington Fire District (GBFD) utility with its own bylaws, governance, and taxing authority. He argues that this new entity would allow access to funding not available to private companies like HWW.
Town resident Sharon Gregory, former chair of the Finance Committee, proposes that the town acquire both HWW and GBFD to merge the two systems for improved efficiency.
It’s important to note that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a Water System Restructuring Assessment Rule to help states and public water systems (PWSs) deliver safe, affordable, and reliable drinking water and protect public health (40CRF Part 142). Clearly, we are not the only town with water problems. And like other towns and cities, we need expertise and money.
High on the list of options proposed by the EPA is for smaller PWSs to consolidate physically and administratively to reduce operational costs and spread the financial burden across a larger base of ratepayers. A municipally held PWS is eligible for state support in the management of the system. A municipally held PWS is eligible for low-interest funding and grants to ensure that water is maintained as affordable even with costly improvements. Sharon Gregory’s proposal that HWW be consolidated with GBFD is consistent with these recommendations. Jim Mercer’s proposal that two separate systems be maintained is not consistent with options being proposed by the EPA.
A roadblock to taking on the civic responsibility to ensure safe water in Great Barrington has been fear, and confusion, about how this challenging task can be accomplished. We need to catch up with other communities who have tackled their water problems and learned that it is possible if we are willing to apply ourselves. It is time to realize that we are not alone, that support is available to help bring our community into compliance with the mandate for safe water.
Your vote to adopt Sharon Gregory’s proposal is important. Don’t let this opportunity pass.
Keep an eye on the upcoming Special Town Meeting which will be set within 45 days. Your two-thirds majority vote will make the change we need.
Donna Jacobs
Great Barrington
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