Petition Comments for DPU Hearing Regarding Housatonic Water Works Company Rate Increase
In addition to the 240 signatures (with full contact information) we have gathered, the following comments have been submitted to us. Thank you everyone for your sharing your valuable thoughts and information.
Name: James Schumacher
Comment: Common sense says there should be no profit motive for supplying a basic need to people.
Comment: Common sense says there should be no profit motive for supplying a basic need to people.
Name: Leigh Doherty
Comment: We need a solution.
Comment: We need a solution.
Name: Will Schillinger
Comment: Really - Do we need to have a petition to have clean water from a private entity that cannot keep up with basic maintenance and overcharges for our basic implicit water services?
Comment: Really - Do we need to have a petition to have clean water from a private entity that cannot keep up with basic maintenance and overcharges for our basic implicit water services?
Name: Rosemary Smith
Comment: The mismanagement by the Mercers of Housatonic Water Works has been going on since they bought it. New pipes were put in on Wyantenuck Street in 2017 and the water got worse. People cannot afford this huge increase especially when you still have to buy water, go to the laundromat, put in filtering systems and change filters frequently. Very little has been done to improve the infrastructure and now the latest situation regarding the fire hydrants has come to light. They have neglected this water system and now want us to pay for their incompetence. Over the past 6 years, according to the Berkshire Edge, the Mercers' salaries have increased by $18,551. All the residents in Housatonic, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge that are affected by HWW deserve better.
Comment: The mismanagement by the Mercers of Housatonic Water Works has been going on since they bought it. New pipes were put in on Wyantenuck Street in 2017 and the water got worse. People cannot afford this huge increase especially when you still have to buy water, go to the laundromat, put in filtering systems and change filters frequently. Very little has been done to improve the infrastructure and now the latest situation regarding the fire hydrants has come to light. They have neglected this water system and now want us to pay for their incompetence. Over the past 6 years, according to the Berkshire Edge, the Mercers' salaries have increased by $18,551. All the residents in Housatonic, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge that are affected by HWW deserve better.
Name: Soma Dinicola
Comment: I’m appalled this is still happening in 2023. Get a class action lawsuit attorney! They still have BROWN WATER.
Comment: I’m appalled this is still happening in 2023. Get a class action lawsuit attorney! They still have BROWN WATER.
Name: Mayu Hori
Comment: HWW is not regulated enough by DPU and DEP. The quality of water and how they operate the business are not acceptable. Great Barrington needs to take over this from HWW immediately. Give us safe clean reasonably priced water!
Comment: HWW is not regulated enough by DPU and DEP. The quality of water and how they operate the business are not acceptable. Great Barrington needs to take over this from HWW immediately. Give us safe clean reasonably priced water!
Name: Amanda Giracca
Comment: HWW needs to find another way to fund the green sand filtration project rather than increasing the rates of very unhappy and very worried citizens. Increasing our rates not only lacks imagination, empathy, and reasonable business standards—it’s downright offensive. The letters we have received in recent years from HWW letting us know after the fact that’s our water had heightened levels of known carcinogens, and those letters then telling customer citizens there is no need to worry or panic, are insensitive and unconscionable. What are the repercussions of such noncompliance?
Comment: HWW needs to find another way to fund the green sand filtration project rather than increasing the rates of very unhappy and very worried citizens. Increasing our rates not only lacks imagination, empathy, and reasonable business standards—it’s downright offensive. The letters we have received in recent years from HWW letting us know after the fact that’s our water had heightened levels of known carcinogens, and those letters then telling customer citizens there is no need to worry or panic, are insensitive and unconscionable. What are the repercussions of such noncompliance?
Name: Perry Hall
Comment: THANK YOU for organizing! We need HEALTHY WATER
Comment: THANK YOU for organizing! We need HEALTHY WATER
Name: K A
Comment: Just fix the water. And be fair.
Comment: Just fix the water. And be fair.
Name: Rachel Kelly
Comment: I live a block up from the Housatonic library, but my town is technically West Stockbridge. We have experienced HORRIBLE brown water and water shocked with chlorine that smells of bleach. I am opposed to the Housatonic Water Works’ rate increase and cannot believe their audacity in asking the residents to fund any further infrastructure improvements. What they are delivering currently is criminal. We are paying for it at the expense of our health.
Comment: I live a block up from the Housatonic library, but my town is technically West Stockbridge. We have experienced HORRIBLE brown water and water shocked with chlorine that smells of bleach. I am opposed to the Housatonic Water Works’ rate increase and cannot believe their audacity in asking the residents to fund any further infrastructure improvements. What they are delivering currently is criminal. We are paying for it at the expense of our health.
Name: Myron Sosnow
Comment: It’s time for the HWW to go. It has demonstrated it’s lack of competence in managing the water distribution system here. - Myron and Nancy Sosnow
Comment: It’s time for the HWW to go. It has demonstrated it’s lack of competence in managing the water distribution system here. - Myron and Nancy Sosnow
Name: Sylwia Orczykowska
Comment: Clean and affordable water is a human right.
Comment: Clean and affordable water is a human right.
Name: Theresa Tatro
Comment: This increase is outrageous and we can’t even drink the water.
Comment: This increase is outrageous and we can’t even drink the water.
Name: Mary Walters
Comment: It’s ridiculous that we have basically undrinkable water and yet are being forced to pay more for it!
Comment: It’s ridiculous that we have basically undrinkable water and yet are being forced to pay more for it!
Name: Gina Salvato Shultis
Comment: I’m a homeowner & landlord in Housatonic doing my best to keep the rent reasonable for a house purchased 3 yrs ago that has been in my family for 4 generations. We installed filters on the drinking water faucets (replacement cartridges are not cheap!) and will soon be putting house filters on both houses. In anticipation of this massive increase, we have no choice but to raise our rent.
Comment: I’m a homeowner & landlord in Housatonic doing my best to keep the rent reasonable for a house purchased 3 yrs ago that has been in my family for 4 generations. We installed filters on the drinking water faucets (replacement cartridges are not cheap!) and will soon be putting house filters on both houses. In anticipation of this massive increase, we have no choice but to raise our rent.
Name: Jamie Hutchinson
Comment: Not much to add to what family members and others have said already. In short, total agreement. For HWW to ask for this kind of increase when they're unable to supply the town with clean, safe water represents the worst kind of corporate insensitivity and arrogance. It shouldn't be up to us at this late date to bear the burden of paying to fix a system that should have been better maintained all along. I trust the DPU will have the good sense to recognize this request as being totally out of line given HWW's failed history.
Comment: Not much to add to what family members and others have said already. In short, total agreement. For HWW to ask for this kind of increase when they're unable to supply the town with clean, safe water represents the worst kind of corporate insensitivity and arrogance. It shouldn't be up to us at this late date to bear the burden of paying to fix a system that should have been better maintained all along. I trust the DPU will have the good sense to recognize this request as being totally out of line given HWW's failed history.
Name: Betsy & George Salvato
Comment: We are retired and never go above the basic amount of water and to double our bill when our use of water is very minimal is a hardship and is unfair. We put water filters on our house and have not complained about our water. We have improved our house piping also. To penalize us is not in good faith.
Comment: We are retired and never go above the basic amount of water and to double our bill when our use of water is very minimal is a hardship and is unfair. We put water filters on our house and have not complained about our water. We have improved our house piping also. To penalize us is not in good faith.
Name: Sue Aiken
Comment: It’s crazy that this private water company is allowed to provide inferior quality water for people and get paid for it . . . plus request such a huge increase in services without improving their infrastructure and water product.
Comment: It’s crazy that this private water company is allowed to provide inferior quality water for people and get paid for it . . . plus request such a huge increase in services without improving their infrastructure and water product.
Name: Arne Waldstein
Comment: Totally unacceptable situation that cannot be forced on to the customers in Housatonic who can least afford the outrageous rate increase for a situation that the town needs to address.
Comment: Totally unacceptable situation that cannot be forced on to the customers in Housatonic who can least afford the outrageous rate increase for a situation that the town needs to address.
Name: Marie Lavinio
Comment: Clean water is a right. Housatonic is a village of families, artists, retirees, working class residents who are part of the town of Great Barrington. Why are we being forced to pay outrageous rates for water when we are the least able to afford it and it is not OUR responsibility to fix what the HWW has failed to do and the Town has not addressed?
Comment: Clean water is a right. Housatonic is a village of families, artists, retirees, working class residents who are part of the town of Great Barrington. Why are we being forced to pay outrageous rates for water when we are the least able to afford it and it is not OUR responsibility to fix what the HWW has failed to do and the Town has not addressed?
Name: Louise Koval
Comment: This is simply not fair. Have the Mercers no sense of decency? Raising rates while continuing to provide unusable water shows zero care for the health of Housatonic residents. Just wrong.
Comment: This is simply not fair. Have the Mercers no sense of decency? Raising rates while continuing to provide unusable water shows zero care for the health of Housatonic residents. Just wrong.
Name: Heidi Berman-Rose
Comment: This is ridiculous.
Comment: This is ridiculous.
Name: Vanessa Lew
Comment: I love staying in the area and find it saddening that in this day and age people in the USA don’t have clean drinking water.
Comment: I love staying in the area and find it saddening that in this day and age people in the USA don’t have clean drinking water.
Name: William Barth
Comment: Mercer is unable to remedy the carcinogenic water problem after numerous warnings from DPU. Housatonic Water Works earns significant monies rather than investment in systems.
Comment: Mercer is unable to remedy the carcinogenic water problem after numerous warnings from DPU. Housatonic Water Works earns significant monies rather than investment in systems.
Name: Anni Crofut
Comment: To Whom it May Concern at the MA DPU;
In MA, the average water rate per household is $33/month. This means that at the current rate of almost $45/month, HWW is already above state average. This, in a town whose median household income is $49k. The requested rate increase would raise our monthly rate to an average of $136.79/month, over 4X (414%) higher than the rest of the state, and higher than the highest rate in the country ($105 / month in West Virginia). How can the DPU even entertain this outrageous request?
Furthermore, at the time of the last rate increase of 34% in Jan 2016,, Mercer said "... his company is taking a “proactive approach” so that “catastrophic things — like in Flint [Michigan] and Troy [New York] — that wind up costing rate payers a lot more money” don’t happen here." (https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-bob-and-the-trees-available-online-ramsdell-library-winter-sundays-pittsfield-coalition-listening-sessions-creative-conversations-across-diff) In fact, HWW customers are now contending with HAA5's in our water - a cancer causing agent - which points to the fact that our system now is in fact not so different from the Flint and Troy examples. And we have no evidence that the state mandated upgrades promised with that last rate increase were even met. The filtration system is outdated by decades, and the proposed Green Sands Filtration system is considered 'experimental.' Meanwhile, Mercer and his father continue to pull in salaries roughly 4 times that of the average Housatonic resident (31K).
Citizens of Housatonic have lost all faith in the DPU to do its job. If you approve this rate hike, or even one much smaller, the DPU will have lost all credibility amongst the constituents you are supposed to be serving. Where is the enforcement of DPU's requirements? Best, Anni Crofut
Comment: To Whom it May Concern at the MA DPU;
In MA, the average water rate per household is $33/month. This means that at the current rate of almost $45/month, HWW is already above state average. This, in a town whose median household income is $49k. The requested rate increase would raise our monthly rate to an average of $136.79/month, over 4X (414%) higher than the rest of the state, and higher than the highest rate in the country ($105 / month in West Virginia). How can the DPU even entertain this outrageous request?
Furthermore, at the time of the last rate increase of 34% in Jan 2016,, Mercer said "... his company is taking a “proactive approach” so that “catastrophic things — like in Flint [Michigan] and Troy [New York] — that wind up costing rate payers a lot more money” don’t happen here." (https://theberkshireedge.com/bits-bob-and-the-trees-available-online-ramsdell-library-winter-sundays-pittsfield-coalition-listening-sessions-creative-conversations-across-diff) In fact, HWW customers are now contending with HAA5's in our water - a cancer causing agent - which points to the fact that our system now is in fact not so different from the Flint and Troy examples. And we have no evidence that the state mandated upgrades promised with that last rate increase were even met. The filtration system is outdated by decades, and the proposed Green Sands Filtration system is considered 'experimental.' Meanwhile, Mercer and his father continue to pull in salaries roughly 4 times that of the average Housatonic resident (31K).
Citizens of Housatonic have lost all faith in the DPU to do its job. If you approve this rate hike, or even one much smaller, the DPU will have lost all credibility amongst the constituents you are supposed to be serving. Where is the enforcement of DPU's requirements? Best, Anni Crofut
Name: Brianna I. Regan
Comment: Housatonic Water Works, a monopoly, does not deserve the privilege of improving their assets (they are already overpaid) while taking even more money from our pockets for horrible water and service. They have not followed through with past promises and should not be approved for any additional rate increase.
Comment: Housatonic Water Works, a monopoly, does not deserve the privilege of improving their assets (they are already overpaid) while taking even more money from our pockets for horrible water and service. They have not followed through with past promises and should not be approved for any additional rate increase.
Name: April Chambers
Comment: Very concerned resident. I have been buying water for at least a year and find it very unfortunate that they will be having such an incredible rate hike for my monthly water use, esp when I am buying water in addition.
Comment: Very concerned resident. I have been buying water for at least a year and find it very unfortunate that they will be having such an incredible rate hike for my monthly water use, esp when I am buying water in addition.
Name: H. Otis Pond III
Comment: No more rate increases for unacceptable water supply. Current management does not seem up for the task of restoring safe reasonably priced water. Would like to see Great Barrington take this up as a priority.
Comment: No more rate increases for unacceptable water supply. Current management does not seem up for the task of restoring safe reasonably priced water. Would like to see Great Barrington take this up as a priority.
Name: Jackie Sinico
Comment: Enough is enough it's time to stop the madness and the prolonging of cancer-causing agents in our water.
Comment: Enough is enough it's time to stop the madness and the prolonging of cancer-causing agents in our water.
Name: Kevin Regan
Comment: We should not have to pay for or have to consume water from a monopoly that is unsuitable for human consumption. It contains unacceptable levels of HAA5, a known carcinogen. We already pay considerably more than the state average and certainly should not pay one penny more to a disreputable company that spends more money on salaries and constant legal issues (this should give someone a clue) than it does on taking proper care of its infrastructure. Will the DPU finally listen to the residents and do the right thing? Housatonic Water Works must be removed. The state or town should take over the water system which will allow for proper funding.
Comment: We should not have to pay for or have to consume water from a monopoly that is unsuitable for human consumption. It contains unacceptable levels of HAA5, a known carcinogen. We already pay considerably more than the state average and certainly should not pay one penny more to a disreputable company that spends more money on salaries and constant legal issues (this should give someone a clue) than it does on taking proper care of its infrastructure. Will the DPU finally listen to the residents and do the right thing? Housatonic Water Works must be removed. The state or town should take over the water system which will allow for proper funding.
Name: Tess Diamond
Comment: It is the responsibility of a private utility to maintain their systems. HWW, has not done this. They need to fix what they have done and provide their customers with clean, safe water. I have been bathing my children in brown water for the eight years I’ve lived in Housatonic. I am concerned for their health and mine.
Comment: It is the responsibility of a private utility to maintain their systems. HWW, has not done this. They need to fix what they have done and provide their customers with clean, safe water. I have been bathing my children in brown water for the eight years I’ve lived in Housatonic. I am concerned for their health and mine.
Name: Maja Stodte
Comment: I am a single mother with two young children. If HWW will cover the cost of my clean drinking water, as I have been informed by both them and DEP that their water is unsafe for 2/3 of my household to drink and not compliant with the Clean Water Act, and will cover the cost of an in-house filter, then I would consider a rate increase to an amount equal to what the average tax payer pays in Massachusetts for non-potable water. Best Wishes, Maja
Comment: I am a single mother with two young children. If HWW will cover the cost of my clean drinking water, as I have been informed by both them and DEP that their water is unsafe for 2/3 of my household to drink and not compliant with the Clean Water Act, and will cover the cost of an in-house filter, then I would consider a rate increase to an amount equal to what the average tax payer pays in Massachusetts for non-potable water. Best Wishes, Maja
Name: Deb Ptak
Comment: This unsafe water went years w/o notice. Mr. Mercer should have keep the pipes clean and water 100% safe. There is a percentage number he should take note. What did he do with all that money we all paid for contaminated (unsafe) water. My mother paid her bills on time. Doris Ptak lived in Housatonic for over 65 yrs. Myself since 1954.
Comment: This unsafe water went years w/o notice. Mr. Mercer should have keep the pipes clean and water 100% safe. There is a percentage number he should take note. What did he do with all that money we all paid for contaminated (unsafe) water. My mother paid her bills on time. Doris Ptak lived in Housatonic for over 65 yrs. Myself since 1954.
Name: Ken Steiner
Comment: There is no guarantee that the improvements by Housatonic Water Works will actually fix all the problems so until the water is shown to be consistently clear and free of carcinogens and other contamination a rate increase should not even be considered.
Comment: There is no guarantee that the improvements by Housatonic Water Works will actually fix all the problems so until the water is shown to be consistently clear and free of carcinogens and other contamination a rate increase should not even be considered.
Name: Margaret McLallen
Comment: This privately owned water company is not delivering safe water, and we have been purchasing drinking water for many years. The town is paying for many fire hydrants that can't be used in a fire. Previous rate increases for maintenance and improvements to the system have not been used for their intended purpose, and very little maintenance has been done. Work that has been done is minimal at best and mostly a result of an emergency/failure. There is zero reason to believe this enormous increase will have any benefit to the system, and it is completely unaffordable to us and the community.
Comment: This privately owned water company is not delivering safe water, and we have been purchasing drinking water for many years. The town is paying for many fire hydrants that can't be used in a fire. Previous rate increases for maintenance and improvements to the system have not been used for their intended purpose, and very little maintenance has been done. Work that has been done is minimal at best and mostly a result of an emergency/failure. There is zero reason to believe this enormous increase will have any benefit to the system, and it is completely unaffordable to us and the community.
Name: Cindy Kwiatkowski
Comment: We have our own well and do not use HWW, but many nearby neighbors do. This should be illegal. I cannot believe the audacity of this company to attempt to charge more for dirty and carcinogenic water. People have a right to clean, safe water. Bring on the lawsuits.
Comment: We have our own well and do not use HWW, but many nearby neighbors do. This should be illegal. I cannot believe the audacity of this company to attempt to charge more for dirty and carcinogenic water. People have a right to clean, safe water. Bring on the lawsuits.
Name: Marc Pollack
Comment: This problem is caused by Fred and Jim Mercer’s greed.
Comment: This problem is caused by Fred and Jim Mercer’s greed.
Name: Jess Jordan
Comment: Everyone deserves free and nontoxic drinking water.
Comment: Everyone deserves free and nontoxic drinking water.
Name: Susan Fine
Comment: This water situation is unacceptable. Please provide clean, healthy water to everyone who needs!
Comment: This water situation is unacceptable. Please provide clean, healthy water to everyone who needs!
Name: Gwyneth Connell
Comment: I am a school administrator living in Connecticut, but I bought my house when I was living in Berkshire County and hope someday to return there. In the meantime, I am renting the house to two young couples with deep roots in the community.
My house is smaller than many single family homes in the community, but because it contains two units, I am paying about $90 a month to HWW for my tenants to have access to water they cannot safely drink. I take pride in being a landlord who charges affordable rent, well below market rate, in order to help lifelong Berkshires residents stay in their community. If this rate hike goes through, I will either have to pay out of my own pocket (which is by no means deep) or raise their rent, further contributing to the acute problem of housing affordability in Berkshire County.
The Mercers cannot manage their business, and because it is a monopoly, the people of Housatonic are literally paying for their poor decisions. I implore you to prevent the rate hike and force the Mercers to cede their business to the Town of Great Barrington, which we can at least hope will keep the citizens' need for clean, safe water as their primary goal -- not lining the pockets of irresponsible monopolists.
Thank you for your consideration.
Comment: I am a school administrator living in Connecticut, but I bought my house when I was living in Berkshire County and hope someday to return there. In the meantime, I am renting the house to two young couples with deep roots in the community.
My house is smaller than many single family homes in the community, but because it contains two units, I am paying about $90 a month to HWW for my tenants to have access to water they cannot safely drink. I take pride in being a landlord who charges affordable rent, well below market rate, in order to help lifelong Berkshires residents stay in their community. If this rate hike goes through, I will either have to pay out of my own pocket (which is by no means deep) or raise their rent, further contributing to the acute problem of housing affordability in Berkshire County.
The Mercers cannot manage their business, and because it is a monopoly, the people of Housatonic are literally paying for their poor decisions. I implore you to prevent the rate hike and force the Mercers to cede their business to the Town of Great Barrington, which we can at least hope will keep the citizens' need for clean, safe water as their primary goal -- not lining the pockets of irresponsible monopolists.
Thank you for your consideration.
Name: Ryan Emprimo
Comment: Water's filthy brown how many of our household animals have passed due to cancer way before they should have?
Comment: Water's filthy brown how many of our household animals have passed due to cancer way before they should have?
Name: Wendy Scott
Comment: I moved out of Housatonic because of the water. Paying for H water but yet having to buy water for drinking, cooking, having our cloths ruined.
Comment: I moved out of Housatonic because of the water. Paying for H water but yet having to buy water for drinking, cooking, having our cloths ruined.
Name: Gino Mary Errichetto
Comment: Our water is not brown but, I don’t trust it at all. I use Britta filters.
Comment: Our water is not brown but, I don’t trust it at all. I use Britta filters.
Name: Tanya Essig
Comment: Clean water for all world wide!
Comment: Clean water for all world wide!
Name: William Fields (ICE)
Comment: Before any rate increase a public - private ownership should be worked out. This new ownership model can then access other revenue sources thus alleviating the need for such an exorbitant rate increase.
Comment: Before any rate increase a public - private ownership should be worked out. This new ownership model can then access other revenue sources thus alleviating the need for such an exorbitant rate increase.
Name: Jeff Caminiti
Comment: We have had a continuing issue at 19 Kirk Street, a 3 unit rental property. Brown water has persisted, and we have one infant with a tenant unit . . . they have concerns. We added a filter to help, at our cost and the cost of changing the filter on average every 6 to 8 weeks. If a remedy is found, great . . . however, as I understand it, the water company has not stepped up to correct this problem yet. Lets hope we, as a community can help resolve this important safety concern.
Comment: We have had a continuing issue at 19 Kirk Street, a 3 unit rental property. Brown water has persisted, and we have one infant with a tenant unit . . . they have concerns. We added a filter to help, at our cost and the cost of changing the filter on average every 6 to 8 weeks. If a remedy is found, great . . . however, as I understand it, the water company has not stepped up to correct this problem yet. Lets hope we, as a community can help resolve this important safety concern.
Name: Elizabeth Buttler
Comment: I don't know how the people at HWW can sleep at night.
Comment: I don't know how the people at HWW can sleep at night.
Name: Janice Gildawie
Comment: I am opposed to this latest rate increase by Housatonic Water Works. In particular due to the dramatic increase in monthly rates (at least 112% increase), prior rate increases have not resulted in improved quality and availability of water (including at fire hydrants needed for fighting fires), will pose a hardship to community members that are already reluctant to use tainted water (due to both poor quality as well as disinfecting byproducts like HAA5) and are paying for water separately out of pocket for drinking, cleaning, etc. The additional HWW requests in addition to the large price increase further harm the customers. It is unrealistic to operate an organization supposedly charged with providing a necessary and basic need as a small family owned operation. I urge not only refusal of this rate increase but also for all parties including the attorney general, the town, DPU etc. continue efforts to remove the provision of water from this poorly managed organization to one overseen as some kind of public municipality similar to how the rest of Great Barrington obtains its water.
Comment: I am opposed to this latest rate increase by Housatonic Water Works. In particular due to the dramatic increase in monthly rates (at least 112% increase), prior rate increases have not resulted in improved quality and availability of water (including at fire hydrants needed for fighting fires), will pose a hardship to community members that are already reluctant to use tainted water (due to both poor quality as well as disinfecting byproducts like HAA5) and are paying for water separately out of pocket for drinking, cleaning, etc. The additional HWW requests in addition to the large price increase further harm the customers. It is unrealistic to operate an organization supposedly charged with providing a necessary and basic need as a small family owned operation. I urge not only refusal of this rate increase but also for all parties including the attorney general, the town, DPU etc. continue efforts to remove the provision of water from this poorly managed organization to one overseen as some kind of public municipality similar to how the rest of Great Barrington obtains its water.
Name: Tina Sweet
Comment: This issue has existed without effective resolution for too long. Delivering unhealthy, carcinogenic (essentially non-potable) water for human consumption is a criminal act. The households served by Housatonic Water Works should be reimbursed for (1) purchased spring water and any installed filtration systems, and (2) a portion of their HWW bill, since we've been unable to use the water for many of it's intended purposes (drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, etc.). We've been paying for unsafe, unclean water with our hard-earned dollars and, most likely, our health.
Comment: This issue has existed without effective resolution for too long. Delivering unhealthy, carcinogenic (essentially non-potable) water for human consumption is a criminal act. The households served by Housatonic Water Works should be reimbursed for (1) purchased spring water and any installed filtration systems, and (2) a portion of their HWW bill, since we've been unable to use the water for many of it's intended purposes (drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, etc.). We've been paying for unsafe, unclean water with our hard-earned dollars and, most likely, our health.
Name: Reece Augcomfar
Comment: HWW is used to hiding behind grimy attorney legalese. Those days are over, no more apathy on the part of Housatonic Residents. They want to gain entrance to and some ew gadget to put water main, but we don't trust them, even if it's the right thing to do. From fake hydrants to them denying shutting off our water at the curb so we could repair our water main when we first moved here. They must go.
Comment: HWW is used to hiding behind grimy attorney legalese. Those days are over, no more apathy on the part of Housatonic Residents. They want to gain entrance to and some ew gadget to put water main, but we don't trust them, even if it's the right thing to do. From fake hydrants to them denying shutting off our water at the curb so we could repair our water main when we first moved here. They must go.
Name: Mickey Friedman
Comment: There is no valid justification for a rate hike - rather there are many reasons for a decrease in rates.
Comment: There is no valid justification for a rate hike - rather there are many reasons for a decrease in rates.
Name: NAACP Berkshire Branch
Comment: There is a strong correlation between low-income communities/communities of color and poor drinking water quality. The NAACP has led efforts with local branches regarding the need for clean and safe drinking water in many communities which have faced decades of disinvestment.
Comment: There is a strong correlation between low-income communities/communities of color and poor drinking water quality. The NAACP has led efforts with local branches regarding the need for clean and safe drinking water in many communities which have faced decades of disinvestment.
Name: Jennifer Browdy
Comment: Allowing HWW to impose a rate increase for unsafe water and poor service is preposterous. The state needs to facilitate the takeover of the water service by the town of Great Barrington, so that municipal loans can be obtained to make the water of Housatonic safe.
Comment: Allowing HWW to impose a rate increase for unsafe water and poor service is preposterous. The state needs to facilitate the takeover of the water service by the town of Great Barrington, so that municipal loans can be obtained to make the water of Housatonic safe.
Name: Christine Despres-Hutchinson
Comment: We suffered through months of terrible water that stained everything it touched. Showers, laundry, drinking water (!) cooking etc etc all affected terribly. We finally gave up and got an expensive water filter - which isn't a complete solution - all the while paying for water, as if it was water we could actually use . . . enough is enough. Personally, I think Great Barrington and the state should be involved because here we have a whole town that is seriously adversely impacted and it's costing us in fees, costs (so many having to buy bottled water), and property values. All in what is otherwise a pretty high-end area. We have paid and paid and are bearing the brunt of really bad management and lack of concern. Kids and the elderly are so especially hurt by this! It's time to get some action on a situation that has been going on now for YEARS. Are we not a more proactive and reasonable state and county?
Comment: We suffered through months of terrible water that stained everything it touched. Showers, laundry, drinking water (!) cooking etc etc all affected terribly. We finally gave up and got an expensive water filter - which isn't a complete solution - all the while paying for water, as if it was water we could actually use . . . enough is enough. Personally, I think Great Barrington and the state should be involved because here we have a whole town that is seriously adversely impacted and it's costing us in fees, costs (so many having to buy bottled water), and property values. All in what is otherwise a pretty high-end area. We have paid and paid and are bearing the brunt of really bad management and lack of concern. Kids and the elderly are so especially hurt by this! It's time to get some action on a situation that has been going on now for YEARS. Are we not a more proactive and reasonable state and county?
Name: Krista Brazie
Comment: Clean water should be a right in this country.
Comment: Clean water should be a right in this country.
Name: David Long
Comment: While our household is no longer a HWW customer (we now have a well that serves our house and farm), the failing water system affects everyone who lives in this and the surrounding communities. To ask for such an extraordinary rate increase while providing increasingly poor service and water quality adds insult to severe injury. There is no reason (based on the company’s long running history) that any resident would believe that the situation would improve if the rate increases were granted. Given how much effort, money, patience, and health risks HWW’s customers have endured, it is only reasonable that rate payers consider “showing them the money” AFTER HHW shows customers clean water, universal water pressure, and working fire hydrants.
Comment: While our household is no longer a HWW customer (we now have a well that serves our house and farm), the failing water system affects everyone who lives in this and the surrounding communities. To ask for such an extraordinary rate increase while providing increasingly poor service and water quality adds insult to severe injury. There is no reason (based on the company’s long running history) that any resident would believe that the situation would improve if the rate increases were granted. Given how much effort, money, patience, and health risks HWW’s customers have endured, it is only reasonable that rate payers consider “showing them the money” AFTER HHW shows customers clean water, universal water pressure, and working fire hydrants.
Name: Tracey Paradise
Comment: As grateful as I am that my water is clear it doesn't excuse the fact that my community members don't have the same but are billed as if they do.
Comment: As grateful as I am that my water is clear it doesn't excuse the fact that my community members don't have the same but are billed as if they do.
Name: Susan Schorn
Comment: Disgraceful. Help these people.
Comment: Disgraceful. Help these people.
Name: Mellonie Noble
Comment: We shouldn’t have to pay the amount we already pay for dirty unsafe water. A 100% increase is insanity.
Comment: We shouldn’t have to pay the amount we already pay for dirty unsafe water. A 100% increase is insanity.
Name: Karen Lyness
Comment: Clean water is a right, not a privilege.
Comment: Clean water is a right, not a privilege.
Name: Dylan Bower
Comment: I can't drink it and scared to shower in it. I don't even feed the pets the water. This needs to change.
Comment: I can't drink it and scared to shower in it. I don't even feed the pets the water. This needs to change.
Name: Jane Wright
Comment: I spend over $100 a month for water. $60 for nasty Housatonic Water Works water and $45 for drinking water from Berkshire Springs. The Mercer family is not and never has been capable of running a water company. Our water should be owned and operated by the Great Barrington Fire District. The Mercer’s are a huge liability for the town. We must move ownership as soon as possible to avoid further strife for families in the HWW district and to avoid future litigation.
Comment: I spend over $100 a month for water. $60 for nasty Housatonic Water Works water and $45 for drinking water from Berkshire Springs. The Mercer family is not and never has been capable of running a water company. Our water should be owned and operated by the Great Barrington Fire District. The Mercer’s are a huge liability for the town. We must move ownership as soon as possible to avoid further strife for families in the HWW district and to avoid future litigation.
Name: Kate Tucci
Comment: Ratepayers should not have to pay for years of neglect and denial.
Comment: Ratepayers should not have to pay for years of neglect and denial.
Name: Juanita Casey
Comment: We already pay well above the average monthly water cost here in Massachusetts. The need for HWW increase is due to their failure to take care of infrastructure, maintenance, and necessary improvements over decades. Their bottom line profit took priority over integrity of business and quality of product (water). If they had taken care of the business appropriately over the decades they wouldn't be facing the cost to bring HWW back to acceptable standards. The cost of their failures are now being forced on to the consumer/customers of HWW. We as customers should have some recourse from being victimized and hostages of this outrageous HWW Monopoly game.
Comment: We already pay well above the average monthly water cost here in Massachusetts. The need for HWW increase is due to their failure to take care of infrastructure, maintenance, and necessary improvements over decades. Their bottom line profit took priority over integrity of business and quality of product (water). If they had taken care of the business appropriately over the decades they wouldn't be facing the cost to bring HWW back to acceptable standards. The cost of their failures are now being forced on to the consumer/customers of HWW. We as customers should have some recourse from being victimized and hostages of this outrageous HWW Monopoly game.
Name: Marthe M Bourdon
Comment: I will not pay more for brown water. You should be paying us for the spring water we have to purchase elsewhere!
Comment: I will not pay more for brown water. You should be paying us for the spring water we have to purchase elsewhere!
Name: Madeline Despres-Chen
Comment: This is absolutely ridiculous. Housatonic residents should not have to live like this. We are part of Great Barrington, and yet we are overlooked and neglected. No one in this country should be without clean and safe drinking water. No one in this small community should be without clean and safe drinking water. This is a fundamental human need and right. This is affecting our livelihood, our health, our housing and property values. This is unacceptable.
Comment: This is absolutely ridiculous. Housatonic residents should not have to live like this. We are part of Great Barrington, and yet we are overlooked and neglected. No one in this country should be without clean and safe drinking water. No one in this small community should be without clean and safe drinking water. This is a fundamental human need and right. This is affecting our livelihood, our health, our housing and property values. This is unacceptable.
Name: Aldonna Girouard
Comment: I am opposed to all rate hikes until all water quality issues are solved.
Comment: I am opposed to all rate hikes until all water quality issues are solved.
Name: Jim Frangione
Comment: Please do your job and act to protect the residents of Housatonic, the customers of Housatonic Water Works our only water supplier, from the unsafe, discolored and unsavory water we are required (and condemned) to accept. It is unacceptable.
Comment: Please do your job and act to protect the residents of Housatonic, the customers of Housatonic Water Works our only water supplier, from the unsafe, discolored and unsavory water we are required (and condemned) to accept. It is unacceptable.
Name: Eric Steuernagle
Comment: I am one of the first customers on the line for Housatonic Water and it is atrocious what we deal with.
Comment: I am one of the first customers on the line for Housatonic Water and it is atrocious what we deal with.
Name: Lucinda Hastings
Comment: We have long been paying for a product that we can’t use in the way that it is generally intended for use. We have been paying for carcinogenic, distasteful, sometimes brown water that permanently stains laundry, inadequate fire hydrants. The Mercers have proven themselves, incompetent and deceitful. They do not seem to understand their role in providing water. I cannot afford a rate increase and like others have to get in my car and travel to get clean water for drinking, but can’t even get clean water for showering and laundry, watering my garden. I am already having to spend time and money outside of paying the monthly bills to Housatonic Water Works because unbelievably we have had to pay for a product that we can’t use for the most part. NO RATE INCREASE!
Comment: We have long been paying for a product that we can’t use in the way that it is generally intended for use. We have been paying for carcinogenic, distasteful, sometimes brown water that permanently stains laundry, inadequate fire hydrants. The Mercers have proven themselves, incompetent and deceitful. They do not seem to understand their role in providing water. I cannot afford a rate increase and like others have to get in my car and travel to get clean water for drinking, but can’t even get clean water for showering and laundry, watering my garden. I am already having to spend time and money outside of paying the monthly bills to Housatonic Water Works because unbelievably we have had to pay for a product that we can’t use for the most part. NO RATE INCREASE!
Name: Catherine Krukar Hull
Comment: A resident of 30 years who finds the idea of HWW being able to violate my privacy and pocket, invasive, intrusive, and unconscionable. I remember when they were on my property on the opposite side of the house from where the meter was, and they were looking in all the windows. Their arrival was unannounced and unwelcome. I get free drinking water from the well at Taft Farms. I pay for 2500 gallons but only use 700 to 1000 gallons. I am overcharged every month. The water often smells like a heavily chlorinated swimming pool.
Comment: A resident of 30 years who finds the idea of HWW being able to violate my privacy and pocket, invasive, intrusive, and unconscionable. I remember when they were on my property on the opposite side of the house from where the meter was, and they were looking in all the windows. Their arrival was unannounced and unwelcome. I get free drinking water from the well at Taft Farms. I pay for 2500 gallons but only use 700 to 1000 gallons. I am overcharged every month. The water often smells like a heavily chlorinated swimming pool.
Name: Joseph Method
Comment: Housatonic Water Works should not be rewarded for its decades of neglect.
Comment: Housatonic Water Works should not be rewarded for its decades of neglect.
Name: Margaret Hassett
Comment: I am concerned about 3 items concerning HWW.
1. Is the existing water source Long Pond still an adequate water as source? Is it no longer enough to meet the HWW needs to provide the product (clean usable water) and the company is adding unrealistic or unsustainable means to continue the company.
2. Do the owners have the engineering and business skill set to support a valid business and product.
3. Has the owner provided and managed adequate upkeep and system support through their years of ownership or are we now paying for their oversight and lack of planning and upkeep.
Comment: I am concerned about 3 items concerning HWW.
1. Is the existing water source Long Pond still an adequate water as source? Is it no longer enough to meet the HWW needs to provide the product (clean usable water) and the company is adding unrealistic or unsustainable means to continue the company.
2. Do the owners have the engineering and business skill set to support a valid business and product.
3. Has the owner provided and managed adequate upkeep and system support through their years of ownership or are we now paying for their oversight and lack of planning and upkeep.
Name: Patricia Frik
Comment: It is unconscionable that HHW is a private company with no accountability. Water should be a public utility. Clean, affordable water is a basic right. This inequitable situation should not be allowed to continue. Some residents of Housatonic can not even bathe, do laundry let alone drink their water. Testing has shown we are all exposed to carcinogens in our water at unsafe levels, even those of us 'fortunate' enough to have clear water. Neglect of infrastructure for very many years has resulted in this situation. Why should residents be forced to pay over double current rates for the owners' criminal neglect?
Comment: It is unconscionable that HHW is a private company with no accountability. Water should be a public utility. Clean, affordable water is a basic right. This inequitable situation should not be allowed to continue. Some residents of Housatonic can not even bathe, do laundry let alone drink their water. Testing has shown we are all exposed to carcinogens in our water at unsafe levels, even those of us 'fortunate' enough to have clear water. Neglect of infrastructure for very many years has resulted in this situation. Why should residents be forced to pay over double current rates for the owners' criminal neglect?
Name: Thaddeus Biernacki
Comment: The increase asked for is beyond ridiculous. The requested privileges also ridiculous. They just gave themselves a 10K raise. Now they are giving themselves 114K a year! Could be part of the problem. They are a private company how do you control them, can you control them?
Comment: The increase asked for is beyond ridiculous. The requested privileges also ridiculous. They just gave themselves a 10K raise. Now they are giving themselves 114K a year! Could be part of the problem. They are a private company how do you control them, can you control them?
Name: Jean Louis
Comment: The water smells bad even after filtration. I have ruined things in the wash and taken brown showers. Have lived in many states and never had this problem elsewhere.
Comment: The water smells bad even after filtration. I have ruined things in the wash and taken brown showers. Have lived in many states and never had this problem elsewhere.
Name: Jean Vaughn
Comment: HWW needs to be looked at for its mismanagement of funds and failure to set aside and keep up with capital improvements. They are using their customers like their own bank as a never ending source of funds. Our water rates shoujd not be 5 x that of neighboring villages. And it should be clean. Brown water is unacceptable. Water that fails in quality when tested is unacceptable. This rate increase is not acceptable. - Jean Vaughn
Comment: HWW needs to be looked at for its mismanagement of funds and failure to set aside and keep up with capital improvements. They are using their customers like their own bank as a never ending source of funds. Our water rates shoujd not be 5 x that of neighboring villages. And it should be clean. Brown water is unacceptable. Water that fails in quality when tested is unacceptable. This rate increase is not acceptable. - Jean Vaughn
Name: Livia Duque-Driscoll
Comment: We resist to pay more than we have been paying right now. Mr. Mercer increased our water bill 5 years ago, promising that money would go to fixed the water infrastructure and he didn’t do anything about it. We have been buying bottled drinking water for years. We resist to pay more than we’re paying now.
Comment: We resist to pay more than we have been paying right now. Mr. Mercer increased our water bill 5 years ago, promising that money would go to fixed the water infrastructure and he didn’t do anything about it. We have been buying bottled drinking water for years. We resist to pay more than we’re paying now.
Name: Deborah Bauch
Comment: Past rate increases by HWW did not improve the water quality or the infrastructure. Despite a number of rate increases in the past, the company has not spent more money on fixing the infrastructure, but instead, lined their pockets.
Comment: Past rate increases by HWW did not improve the water quality or the infrastructure. Despite a number of rate increases in the past, the company has not spent more money on fixing the infrastructure, but instead, lined their pockets.
Name: Kate Hocker
Comment: Ratepayers are being denied legally safe water! Research shows a strong correlation between low-income communities and communities of color and poor drinking water quality. We must come together as a community (Great Barrington included) to fix this problem.
Comment: Ratepayers are being denied legally safe water! Research shows a strong correlation between low-income communities and communities of color and poor drinking water quality. We must come together as a community (Great Barrington included) to fix this problem.
Name: Donna Heintzem
Comment: I own 8 Hart St, Housatonic, and manage my mother’s rental properties at 210 and 212 Pleasant. We keep rents at all properties very reasonable (all are under market). If HWW has its way, we will be paying nearly 100 a month for water for 1 single woman! The other houses will experience similar increases. We cannot keep rents low under these circumstances. What’s more important — affordable housing or enriching a privately-owned utility??
Comment: I own 8 Hart St, Housatonic, and manage my mother’s rental properties at 210 and 212 Pleasant. We keep rents at all properties very reasonable (all are under market). If HWW has its way, we will be paying nearly 100 a month for water for 1 single woman! The other houses will experience similar increases. We cannot keep rents low under these circumstances. What’s more important — affordable housing or enriching a privately-owned utility??
Name: Collin Woods
Comment: I will not pay for this absurd increase while I am not able to use the water in my house in a safe way for me and my family. We pay to have Culligan water delivery as is. There has yet to be a clear plan as to what these increases in payments will be used for in regards to improving the water quality. Also- a timeline of when that will happen. There seems to be very little oversight on the Mercers other than required testing of the water, which they have shown has failed standards over and over again. We need help around this desperately.
Comment: I will not pay for this absurd increase while I am not able to use the water in my house in a safe way for me and my family. We pay to have Culligan water delivery as is. There has yet to be a clear plan as to what these increases in payments will be used for in regards to improving the water quality. Also- a timeline of when that will happen. There seems to be very little oversight on the Mercers other than required testing of the water, which they have shown has failed standards over and over again. We need help around this desperately.
Name: Marisa Burntitus
Comment: F**k HWW!
Comment: F**k HWW!
Name: Gisele Landry
Comment: The rate hike is not justified or conscionable given the current state of affairs. We are already paying lots extra for alternate sources of clean drinking/cooking water. Some cannot even do this minimum. Would like to see better proposals and co-operation with the greater Great Barrington. This is an ongoing hardship which must be seen and addressed as such. And some concrete steps done soon.
Comment: The rate hike is not justified or conscionable given the current state of affairs. We are already paying lots extra for alternate sources of clean drinking/cooking water. Some cannot even do this minimum. Would like to see better proposals and co-operation with the greater Great Barrington. This is an ongoing hardship which must be seen and addressed as such. And some concrete steps done soon.
Name: Doug and Paula Stephenson
Comment: For, at least the past three Rate Cases, HWW has justified their proposed increase with “aging infrastructure,“ their request was, at least in part, granted. And what did HWW do with that increased revenue? They performed MINIMAL updates to the infrastructure, deciding instead to increase the salaries to their shareholders. It is entirely unreasonable to expect the ratepayers to shoulder the burden of another rate hike before the infrastructure has been updated to ensure that clean, drinkable water is always available.
Comment: For, at least the past three Rate Cases, HWW has justified their proposed increase with “aging infrastructure,“ their request was, at least in part, granted. And what did HWW do with that increased revenue? They performed MINIMAL updates to the infrastructure, deciding instead to increase the salaries to their shareholders. It is entirely unreasonable to expect the ratepayers to shoulder the burden of another rate hike before the infrastructure has been updated to ensure that clean, drinkable water is always available.
Name: Christopher Rowland
Comment: My wife and I strongly oppose any rate increase for water in Housatonic, and also oppose any new rights being given to the water company, including to come on private land without permission. The company has taken profits from the community for decades, and has not invested sufficiently in maintenance and upgrades, leading to the current crisis. We believe the company itself should pay for upgrades, not the rate payers who have been subject to poor quality and potentially dangerous water for years.
Comment: My wife and I strongly oppose any rate increase for water in Housatonic, and also oppose any new rights being given to the water company, including to come on private land without permission. The company has taken profits from the community for decades, and has not invested sufficiently in maintenance and upgrades, leading to the current crisis. We believe the company itself should pay for upgrades, not the rate payers who have been subject to poor quality and potentially dangerous water for years.
Name: Joyce Peirce
Comment: The Housatonic water issue needs to be an ongoing high priority until it’s fully addressed and we consistently have clean safe affordable water.
Comment: The Housatonic water issue needs to be an ongoing high priority until it’s fully addressed and we consistently have clean safe affordable water.
Name: Liza Gennari
Comment: Please do not allow this rate increase. We already pay a ton for this failing system and poison product.
Comment: Please do not allow this rate increase. We already pay a ton for this failing system and poison product.
Name: Kathy Regan
Comment: According to 2022 statistics, the average water rate across Massachusetts is $34 per month. Housatonic is already paying considerably more than the state average. The state with the most expensive average water rate is West Virginia at $91 per month. If Housatonic Water Works (HWW) is allowed to more than double residents' rates, we will be paying on average more than ANY other state in the entire USA for water that does not meet legal safety standards.
The DEP clearly said that the new procedures that HWW wishes to implement are experimental and may not work, so it could be a complete waste of funds except to enhance the Housatonic Water Works Company (a for-profit monopoly with a very poor track record, extremely poor service, highly questionable business and billing procedures, and many violations including selling polluted water for years that does not meet legal safety standards).
Past rate hikes by HWW did not improve the water quality or the infrastructure. We need to stop throwing good, hard-earned money after bad. The residents should not have to take the burden of another rate increase (not even a partial one) that will bring residents way above the national average, or even further above the $34 average for Massachusetts. It has been shown that literally millions of dollars will be needed to upgrade HWWs system to solve all water issues in Housatonic. If the residents, businesses, and tourists of Great Barrington (of which Housatonic is a part) were being exposed to carcinogenic, brown, smelly, gritty water this problem would have been fixed immediately, not allowed to go on year, after year, after year as it has in Housatonic. We must find a better way to provide safe water to the affected residents in Housatonic, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge. We deserve better.
Comment: According to 2022 statistics, the average water rate across Massachusetts is $34 per month. Housatonic is already paying considerably more than the state average. The state with the most expensive average water rate is West Virginia at $91 per month. If Housatonic Water Works (HWW) is allowed to more than double residents' rates, we will be paying on average more than ANY other state in the entire USA for water that does not meet legal safety standards.
The DEP clearly said that the new procedures that HWW wishes to implement are experimental and may not work, so it could be a complete waste of funds except to enhance the Housatonic Water Works Company (a for-profit monopoly with a very poor track record, extremely poor service, highly questionable business and billing procedures, and many violations including selling polluted water for years that does not meet legal safety standards).
Past rate hikes by HWW did not improve the water quality or the infrastructure. We need to stop throwing good, hard-earned money after bad. The residents should not have to take the burden of another rate increase (not even a partial one) that will bring residents way above the national average, or even further above the $34 average for Massachusetts. It has been shown that literally millions of dollars will be needed to upgrade HWWs system to solve all water issues in Housatonic. If the residents, businesses, and tourists of Great Barrington (of which Housatonic is a part) were being exposed to carcinogenic, brown, smelly, gritty water this problem would have been fixed immediately, not allowed to go on year, after year, after year as it has in Housatonic. We must find a better way to provide safe water to the affected residents in Housatonic, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge. We deserve better.
Name: Margaret Heilbrun
Comment: Brown water, potential carcinogens, insufficient fire (not service) hydrant pressure, company owners with six-figure salaries, and a small claims magistrate who continually rules in their favor, years of deferred maintenance. A rate increase will punish HWW customers again and the problems will not be solved under current ownership.
Comment: Brown water, potential carcinogens, insufficient fire (not service) hydrant pressure, company owners with six-figure salaries, and a small claims magistrate who continually rules in their favor, years of deferred maintenance. A rate increase will punish HWW customers again and the problems will not be solved under current ownership.
Name: Tracee Augcomfar
Comment: That our state rep is not all over this is absurd. That great Barrington doesn't obligate and regulate HWW is another absurdity. HWW has allowed our system to deteriorate, they've endangered our health, if there was a fire or homes would burn as there is little to no water pressure. And they have the Audacity to ask DPU to make US pay for HWW's incompetence. Not today! We won't stand for it any more!
Comment: That our state rep is not all over this is absurd. That great Barrington doesn't obligate and regulate HWW is another absurdity. HWW has allowed our system to deteriorate, they've endangered our health, if there was a fire or homes would burn as there is little to no water pressure. And they have the Audacity to ask DPU to make US pay for HWW's incompetence. Not today! We won't stand for it any more!
Name: Lorimer Burns
Comment: HWW MUST Fix the problem!!!!! Not raise the rates.
Comment: HWW MUST Fix the problem!!!!! Not raise the rates.
Name: Rob Walsh
Comment: Shocking we have to do this. After decades of the same thing DPU fight for us or we have no choice but to fight you too.
Comment: Shocking we have to do this. After decades of the same thing DPU fight for us or we have no choice but to fight you too.
Name: Mary Walters
Comment: We have a Stockbridge address but live off Furnace — so Housatonic water . . . it’s shameful that we have water that is undrinkable and yet you want us to pay more for it!
Comment: We have a Stockbridge address but live off Furnace — so Housatonic water . . . it’s shameful that we have water that is undrinkable and yet you want us to pay more for it!
Name: Roberta Clark
Comment: Insanity that the our water is not drinkable. But yet we still have to pay and he wants an increase. I 110% do not agree with the increase that is proposed.
Comment: Insanity that the our water is not drinkable. But yet we still have to pay and he wants an increase. I 110% do not agree with the increase that is proposed.
Name: Brett Clark
Comment: Unacceptable!
Comment: Unacceptable!
Name: Jean Louis
Comment: The water is not safe and it is unlawful that we should have to pay more for it. The company is mismanaged and needs to be taken over by those who can run it better.
Comment: The water is not safe and it is unlawful that we should have to pay more for it. The company is mismanaged and needs to be taken over by those who can run it better.
Name: Dennis Clark
Comment: Time for a change.
Comment: Time for a change.
Name: Christopher Dietemann
Comment: Although there should be no rate increase until water quality improves, please makes sure that there are financial controls in place for any rate increase you do ultimately approve such that the money raised is:
1. Being used ONLY for the purpose of the necessary capital improvements, and;
2. That the rate increase is cancelled once those improvements have been implemented. Long hard experience has demonstrated that Mr. Dresser is not to be trusted to do the right thing.
Comment: Although there should be no rate increase until water quality improves, please makes sure that there are financial controls in place for any rate increase you do ultimately approve such that the money raised is:
1. Being used ONLY for the purpose of the necessary capital improvements, and;
2. That the rate increase is cancelled once those improvements have been implemented. Long hard experience has demonstrated that Mr. Dresser is not to be trusted to do the right thing.
Name: Bee Dietemann
Comment: We are paying too much already for filthy, carcinogenic water. Please do not allow HWW to double the rates and still not take care of the problems. Previous rate increases failed to address filtration and pipe repair/replacement. Also Mercer should not have access to meters at his whim. Nor tax customers that want to duscontinue service by driling their own wells. He needs to provide clean, safe water at a reasonable rate!!!
Comment: We are paying too much already for filthy, carcinogenic water. Please do not allow HWW to double the rates and still not take care of the problems. Previous rate increases failed to address filtration and pipe repair/replacement. Also Mercer should not have access to meters at his whim. Nor tax customers that want to duscontinue service by driling their own wells. He needs to provide clean, safe water at a reasonable rate!!!
Name: Iin P Cox
Comment: HWW has been irresponsible in providing good service and the water quality has been endangering our health. Asking for increase rate is unacceptable and upsetting, that HWW can keep operating with disregard of their responsibility to their costumers. And as private company, they should be responsible for all as private company, not putting it to its costumers. This monopoly of service has been putting residents of Housatonic and half of WS under Housatonic mailing address in very challenging situation and it is unacceptable that the town and even the State can put this matter to resolve. I am sure, If we have other option of water providers, we would have chosen them. Please do not approved the increase! Have HWW held accountable for its lack of responsibility to its costumers. Thank you.
Comment: HWW has been irresponsible in providing good service and the water quality has been endangering our health. Asking for increase rate is unacceptable and upsetting, that HWW can keep operating with disregard of their responsibility to their costumers. And as private company, they should be responsible for all as private company, not putting it to its costumers. This monopoly of service has been putting residents of Housatonic and half of WS under Housatonic mailing address in very challenging situation and it is unacceptable that the town and even the State can put this matter to resolve. I am sure, If we have other option of water providers, we would have chosen them. Please do not approved the increase! Have HWW held accountable for its lack of responsibility to its costumers. Thank you.
Name: Patricia O’Neill
Comment: How and why would you propose to increase rates when you can not provide a safe product?
Comment: How and why would you propose to increase rates when you can not provide a safe product?
Name: Gioacchino Taliercio
Comment: A monopolistic private corporation completely mismanaging a public water utility for decades in the village of Housatonic, town of Great Barrington, MA should be ashamed of this attempt to more than double its customers’ basic water utility bill and more than double its rate for water usage above a base rate.
DPU and Great Barrington must reign in this outrageous attempt to extort residents while this private company continues to ignore its responsibility to provide a safe and clear water service to its customers. Everyone knows that a rate increase is not the best way to address the urgently needed upgrades and investments that are necessary for a properly functioning water utility in our town. Any rate increase will only serve to enable business as usual and should be categorized as insufficient and improper. Current Housatonic residents should not be footing the bill for decades of negligence and mismanagement.
Comment: A monopolistic private corporation completely mismanaging a public water utility for decades in the village of Housatonic, town of Great Barrington, MA should be ashamed of this attempt to more than double its customers’ basic water utility bill and more than double its rate for water usage above a base rate.
DPU and Great Barrington must reign in this outrageous attempt to extort residents while this private company continues to ignore its responsibility to provide a safe and clear water service to its customers. Everyone knows that a rate increase is not the best way to address the urgently needed upgrades and investments that are necessary for a properly functioning water utility in our town. Any rate increase will only serve to enable business as usual and should be categorized as insufficient and improper. Current Housatonic residents should not be footing the bill for decades of negligence and mismanagement.
Name: Mary Rivers
Comment: I only use less than 2000 gallons of water per month on average, doubling the water bill to $89 per month is absurd for the quality of water I am getting.
Comment: I only use less than 2000 gallons of water per month on average, doubling the water bill to $89 per month is absurd for the quality of water I am getting.
Name: Christine Koval
Comment: Ratepayers are denied legally safe water from HWW, and are already paying additionally to obtain safe water from other sources when possible.
Comment: Ratepayers are denied legally safe water from HWW, and are already paying additionally to obtain safe water from other sources when possible.
Name: Debra Herman
Comment: Housatonic Water Works is not a customer focused company. It is a monopoly which exists to enrich its owners. It cannot be counted upon to keep promises to customers or regulatory agencies. It does not always tell the truth. It bullies those who attempt to seek justice in small claims court.
What exactly are the private roads whose mains it claims not to own? Do they have documentation to prove this claim? Why do they need additional rights to collect monies from customers when they have a 100% success rate in small claims court and are willing to threaten to stop service. Please DPU, stand up for HWW customers who are long suffering and who have no power to protect themselves from a greedy and uncaring corporation.
Comment: Housatonic Water Works is not a customer focused company. It is a monopoly which exists to enrich its owners. It cannot be counted upon to keep promises to customers or regulatory agencies. It does not always tell the truth. It bullies those who attempt to seek justice in small claims court.
What exactly are the private roads whose mains it claims not to own? Do they have documentation to prove this claim? Why do they need additional rights to collect monies from customers when they have a 100% success rate in small claims court and are willing to threaten to stop service. Please DPU, stand up for HWW customers who are long suffering and who have no power to protect themselves from a greedy and uncaring corporation.
Name: Andrew Berens
Comment: Despite a number of rate increases in the past, the company has not spent more money on fixing the infrastructure, but lining their pockets. Looking at the 2022 income statement, 77% of the $712k revenue is used to pay the owners salaries, lawyers, insurance and miscellaneous items. How can they run businesses like this. Why would anyone give them a rate increase?
The company has failed to adequately maintain the infrastructure, maximize their revenues (because the meters were not updated for 5G cellular), abide by DEP and DPU regulations, and spends more time in small claims court than addressing the source of the issues. A rate increase should not be an option. The waterworks needs a major change in ownership because the town has lost complete faith in the owners to operate this critical resource in the best interests of the Housatonic citizens.
Comment: Despite a number of rate increases in the past, the company has not spent more money on fixing the infrastructure, but lining their pockets. Looking at the 2022 income statement, 77% of the $712k revenue is used to pay the owners salaries, lawyers, insurance and miscellaneous items. How can they run businesses like this. Why would anyone give them a rate increase?
The company has failed to adequately maintain the infrastructure, maximize their revenues (because the meters were not updated for 5G cellular), abide by DEP and DPU regulations, and spends more time in small claims court than addressing the source of the issues. A rate increase should not be an option. The waterworks needs a major change in ownership because the town has lost complete faith in the owners to operate this critical resource in the best interests of the Housatonic citizens.
Name: Rachel Duvall
Comment: It’s absurd and cruel that HWW is considering raising our rates and placing even more financial burden on its customers after years of unsafe drinking water. We are already forced to pay more for separate services in order to ensure that our families have healthy, clean water to drink. How will these increased funds be used? And how many more years will we be forced to pay for water we cannot drink?
Comment: It’s absurd and cruel that HWW is considering raising our rates and placing even more financial burden on its customers after years of unsafe drinking water. We are already forced to pay more for separate services in order to ensure that our families have healthy, clean water to drink. How will these increased funds be used? And how many more years will we be forced to pay for water we cannot drink?
Name: Kate Van Olst
Comment: No rate increase!
Comment: No rate increase!
Name: Jennifer Windram
Comment: I oppose the rate increase.
Comment: I oppose the rate increase.
Name: Nathan Turner
Comment: This is criminal, I have been a resident for the last 15 years and the last two rate increases were supposed to be for major repairs and upgrades that were never completed. This company will not spend any money on repairs until it makes at least twice what those repairs cost. This has to stop, we pay outrageous prices for water that is not even safe to use!
Comment: This is criminal, I have been a resident for the last 15 years and the last two rate increases were supposed to be for major repairs and upgrades that were never completed. This company will not spend any money on repairs until it makes at least twice what those repairs cost. This has to stop, we pay outrageous prices for water that is not even safe to use!
Name: Jean Vaughn
Comment: Untrustworthy-fire hydrant issue, water samples only being taken only on his property (I thought I heard this). We are part of great Barrington and deserve the same level of service in terms of public utilities.
Comment: Untrustworthy-fire hydrant issue, water samples only being taken only on his property (I thought I heard this). We are part of great Barrington and deserve the same level of service in terms of public utilities.
Name: Irene Lis
Comment: I think raising the rates by over 120% is outrageous. We are on a limited income and cannot afford these proposed rates by HWW.
Comment: I think raising the rates by over 120% is outrageous. We are on a limited income and cannot afford these proposed rates by HWW.
Name: Carol McGlinchey
Comment: I have never used HWW water for cooking or drinking due to safety issues and the high chlorine levels. I cannot afford to buy drinking water. For many years I have had to drive a distance to access free spring water. As a low income senior this is getting harder to do. A rate increase would be extremely difficult for me. I never even use the minimum allotment of 2500 gallons.
Comment: I have never used HWW water for cooking or drinking due to safety issues and the high chlorine levels. I cannot afford to buy drinking water. For many years I have had to drive a distance to access free spring water. As a low income senior this is getting harder to do. A rate increase would be extremely difficult for me. I never even use the minimum allotment of 2500 gallons.
Name: Thomas Lovett
Comment: I not only worry about the chemicals/minerals in the water but the supply for fire protection. I used to be a "chauffer" (driver/pump operator) on the fire department and when we used a hydrant in Housatonic we had to watch the pressure gauge closely as to not collapse the systems water pipes by drawing a vacuum since we were lucky to get 600gpm on a good hydrant. There weren't very many of those either!
Comment: I not only worry about the chemicals/minerals in the water but the supply for fire protection. I used to be a "chauffer" (driver/pump operator) on the fire department and when we used a hydrant in Housatonic we had to watch the pressure gauge closely as to not collapse the systems water pipes by drawing a vacuum since we were lucky to get 600gpm on a good hydrant. There weren't very many of those either!
Name: Donna Jacobs
Comment: The provision of safe public water delivery is the responsibility of local, state, and federal government. HWW has not applied for low interest rate funding that is available through the state to upgrade its infrastructure, purification, and filtering systems. These resources should be accessed before placing the financial burden on ratepayers.
Comment: The provision of safe public water delivery is the responsibility of local, state, and federal government. HWW has not applied for low interest rate funding that is available through the state to upgrade its infrastructure, purification, and filtering systems. These resources should be accessed before placing the financial burden on ratepayers.