The DPU held a Public Hearing in response to the Housatonic Water Works’ (HWW) request for a 113% rate hike.

Representatives from DPU explained the process. There will be this public hearing followed by an evidentiary hearing and then a decision by DPU.

Bill Martin, attorney, HWW, acknowledged the serious problems with the water, both quality of drinking water and water to put out fires. He explained the costs of remediating the problems and explained that was the basis for the amount of money requested.

Great Barrington Select Board Chair Steve Bannon spoke in opposition — not to the need for repairs to a broken water system, but to the idea of burdening the water users with the total cost. Especially since a look at the financial report of HWW reveals approximately 70% of income going to compensation and very little reinvested in improvements and maintenance.

Patrick White, Stockbridge SB, produced a three-page agreement between Stockbridge and HWW signed in 1958. For that period (65 years) Stockbridge has maintained the water pipes without compensation. White requested a much lower “water only” rate going forward regardless of DPU decision.

The auditorium was almost full and many spoke but Bannon’s position was a summary of all the other comments: don’t burden the water users, investigate the amount HWW should pay, and insist on the rapid remediation of the water quality and fire prevention readiness. On Friday, September, 29, the DPU allowed Stockbridge’s petition to intervene as well as those of Great Barrington and West Stockbridge.