Notes from the Stockbridge Board of Health, March 10, Hybrid meeting

Present:

Charles Kenny, Chair
John Lioidice
Jim Wilusz, Executive Director, Tri-Town Board of Health
Henry Schwerner, vis Zoom
Citizens who receive their water from Housatonic Water Works (HWW)

Minutes of June 16, 2022, approved as corrected.
Chair announced "Citizen Speak"
1. Seven or more spoke about HWW, the color and quality of their water. All reported
2. Discoloration.
3. The need to buy water to drink — "even my dog won't drink it".
4. The number of years — more than 3 years — that the problem has persisted without HWW, DEP, or the Town of Great Barrington correcting the situation.
5. More than one reported outside water quality testing showed unacceptable levels of magnesium (discolors) and possible carcinogens.
6. One speaker said some water appears clear rather than brown and still tests with unacceptable levels.
7. They asked Board of Health to at least alert the public to health risks
8. They asked that BOH find a way to hold HWW accountable and do something to correct the situation.
Wilusz said those receiving HWW water are predominantly Housatonic/ Great Barrington residents but also West Stockbridge and Stockbridge residents. Stockbridge does maintain pipes that are in Stockbridge. Wilusz asked for copies of water quality testing.
Kenny said he spoke to Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and they had asked HWW for remediation proposals. DEP received some and approved one. Evidently this is a slow process.
Kenny and Wilusz said they were studying issue, gathering information, and trying to determine what they could do.
Last agenda item — Massachusetts "Opioid settlement" — each municipality will receive a percentage. State asked if municipalities could coordinate.
1. Wilusz said Tri-Town Health is coordinating with the Rural Recovery Center to serve substance abuse disorders.
2. Kenny suggested postponing further discussion until next meeting.

Meeting adjourned

Photo: Jay Rhind