Southwick Water Commission Denies Bill Reduction Amid Legal Threats

The Southwick Water Commission firmly denied a request to reduce a bill for damages incurred during unauthorized excavation, despite threats of litigation against the town. The decision was reached following a discussion on the responsibility for inaccurate markings that led to a Dig Safe violation and subsequent $1,000 fine against the excavating party. Dig Safe confirmed the violation and the excavator was deemed at fault for hitting a water main. The Commission expressed concerns that reducing the bill could set a poor precedent and emphasized the importance of following Dig Safe protocols.

During the meeting, the Commission also approved new water rate applications for six elderly residents, confirming that all met the necessary requirements. Additionally, updates were provided on the lead service line inventory, revealing that public response to requests for basement inspections or survey participation was tepid, though some progress was made with targeted neighborhood canvassing.

In other business, the Commission discussed the implementation of non-essential water restrictions due to low levels of the Westfield River. These restrictions align with those from previous years and are currently unique to Southwick, as neighboring communities have yet to impose similar measures. The Commission discussed the importance of regional cooperation during drought conditions, noting that a state drought task force meeting is scheduled to address the issue in the near future.

The Commission also approved a five-year agreement with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission for the purchase of wholesale water. This agreement, which carries no material changes from the prior contract, had to be authorized by the town meeting due to its duration exceeding three years.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Chief Administrative Officer:
Karl J Stinehart
Water Control Board Officials:
John Francis Cain, Christina Myette (Office Manager), Edward Johnson, David Meczywor

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