Email from Housatonic Resident to Great Barrington Board of Health

Hello Michael [Lanoue],
Keeping the research straight  on DPU, DEP, and EPA sites is quite a challenge and I misspoke when I referred to a letter from DPU, when in fact it is DEP.  See: https://www.mass.gov/doc/2023-annual-notice-to-local-boards-of-health/download

As a HWW ratepayer, I’m here speaking on behalf of more than 75 of my neighbors who have signed a petition to stop a rate increase that only gives false promise of a solution to a very expensive problem that HWW ratepayers don’t have deep pockets, or responsibility for. 

I ask the Board of Health to weigh in on the issue to work with our PWS (public water system aka HWW)and the DEP to address the longstanding problem with unsafe levels of contaminants in our water.  Raising water rates places the burden on the backs of ratepayers who have been absorbing the costs of the  systems —water delivery, and local government.

I ask the Board to file a Petition for Leave to Intervene in HWW's rate increase
proposal.  The deadline is Friday, just a few hours from now. Instructions are contained in this letter from the DPU: https://housatonicwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/23-65-Housatonic-Water-Notice-of-Filing-and-Public-Hearing.pdf

It's time for a coordinated, comprehensive approach to finally provide safe water to more than 800 households in Great Barrington….. A lot has been done in the assessments of the system, a lot has gone into the hope that the company would be sold to a PWS that would act quickly, and thought has been given to financial relief for ratepayers .  Now it’s time for a viable plan of action.   For that, we’re going to need to access federally funded resources for water delivery system upgrades being distributed throughout the nation.

Our Board of Health not only needs to be on board in their capacity to protect HWW from health risks related to consuming contaminated water,  it is the Board’s mandate from the DEP.  Let us hear from you. Thank you for your interest and support.

Donna Jacobs
260 Park Street, Great Barrington