To the editor:
We are residents of Housatonic who care about our ongoing water problems. Because of parental and business responsibilities, it can be difficult for many of us to attend meetings in person or on Zoom while a meeting is in session. Most of us made a point of attending the public meeting regarding Housatonic Water Works (HWW) on Monday, October 28.
As Housatonic residents, we have, of course, been following our water issues. For the longest time, we believed that our Selectboard was taking the steps necessary to finally secure clean water for our village. We liked the move the Board of Health took to demand fines and hoped that it would force HWW owners to get serious about addressing the issues. Still, the town Selectboard itself was not doing anything of substance to help.
We listened to a number of points made by Great Barrington resident Sharon Gregory. Finally, we were hearing someone lay out the problem clearly with solutions that seemed doable. It looked as though the best thing to do would be to consolidate the GBFD and HWW.
Gregory explained how it could be done, replicating the Great Barrington Fire District (GBFD), splitting water usage fees from capital expenditures. The plan she presented was fair and less costly to both owners and renters. We should remember that only two people, the Mercers, are running HWW. It seems possible that staff for a consolidated water company owned by the town could be found within the ranks of GBFD. We do not care if the current HWW owners receive money for the acquisition. We simply want the current water problems to be addressed effectively.
With the town being the owner, it would allow for more access to state and federal funding. Gregory’s ideas seemed to be grounded with a good understanding of HWW’s history, as well as in sound financial and logistical feasibility. She offered a workable plan for Housatonic and GBFD water management. We were impressed with her insight but felt the board did not respond or give tactical responses to her ideas.
There are conflict-of-interest issues on the Selectboard (one member has a family relationship to personnel in the water company, and another is a landlord of rental units). Further, a third member is resigning as of December 31. A citizens’ petition would be the best way to move forward.
From what we understand, we are running out of time to move a plan forward. A special town meeting needs to be called as soon as possible—certainly before the next budget cycle to take the first step toward an acquisition of both water companies.
We are writing this letter so that others in our community will consider learning more about the ideas Gregory proposed. Let’s get a petition going. Let’s get moving while there is still time.
Shannon Corridan Vorce
Housatonic
Denise Forbes
Housatonic
Lucinda Hastings
Housatonic
Maureen Quigley
Housatonic
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