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.

 

"The Great Barrington Selectboard and the Great Barrington Board of Health will continue to advocate for and represent the ratepayers of Housatonic Water Works," said Selectboard Chair Stephen Bannon. 

 

Pruhenski said the October outreach meeting date will be decided at an upcoming Selectboard meeting.