Great Barrington Selectboard, Fire District to Discuss HWW Merger Option

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Selectboard will meet Monday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. with the Great Barrington Fire District to discuss a potential merger with the Housatonic Water Works (HWW) system.
 
The town has been exploring possible solutions to HWW water quality issues, and one includes a merger of the Great Barrington Fire District with HWW system. HWW serves more than 800 customers in Housatonic Village and some neighboring areas. The Fire District serves about 1,700 properties in other parts of town.
 
The two water systems are separated by about 900 feet and a connection would be required along with other infrastructure.
 
The Great Barrington Fire District's water system draws water from underground sources, while the HWW uses surface water from Long Pond. 
 
Meetings are now being held in person at Town Hall with a Zoom option. Log-in details can be found on the town calendar on meeting day.

Tags: merger,   water department,   

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Meeting on Potential Purchase of Housatonic Water Works

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The town will set an October outreach meeting to gain residents' feedback on draft findings from an investigation into the feasibility of the town acquiring and operating Housatonic Water Works. 
 
The decision over a town acquisition of HWW would ultimately be made by voters at a town meeting. 
 
The outreach discussion will follow several years of legal and financial study into the town's possible acquisition of the water company, due to water quality issues for many HWW customers. The town hired DPC Engineering from Longmeadow and Harwich Port to evaluate the potential operation and acquisition of HWW.
 
Town Manager Mark Pruhenski said he also hopes to clarify the role of the town manager and Selectboard in the HWW matter. 
 
"We are responsible for representing customers of Housatonic water in a pending rate case with the state Department of Public Utilities and for investigating the possibilities for a long-term solution to the ownership and operation of the company," said Pruhenski. 
 
The town Board of Health is accepting and forwarding water quality complaints to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
 
"While the Selectboard is focused on questions of potential future ownership and operation of HWW, we urge town residents to contact the Board of Health and state DEP regarding water quality," said Pruhenski.
 
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