Proposal could affect water supply in 2 towns

From the Eagle-Tribune today!

Proposal could affect water supply in 2 towns
By Rebecca Correa
Staff writer

NEWTON — The water supply for more than 150 families in Plaistow and Newton could be affected by a plan to build pump houses in the town's largest aquifer.

The Hampstead Area Water Co. has proposed a 742-acre water franchise, or pump houses, on land that abuts Plaistow. The proposal is meant to serve Sargent Woods, a senior housing project with 80 units, now under construction in Newton.

But Plaistow and Newton officials said the water franchise could affect those who already live in town — and they're hoping residents attend an informational meeting about the topic tonight.

Newton Planning Board member James Doggett said in the worst-case scenario, the proposal could limit the water supply for every house along Smith Corner Road, Peaslee Crossing Road and part of Route 108.

And it won't just be Newton's private wells that are affected.

"There are houses in Plaistow that sit on the aquifer that could potentially be looking at water problems because HAWC petitioned (to withdraw) 30,000 gallons a day," Doggett said.

Plaistow plans to send representatives to the meeting tonight for exactly that reason.

Specifically, the proposal would hurt residents of Sweet Hill Road and Greenfield Drive, according to Leigh Komornick, Plaistow's planning coordinator.

Residents in the Sweet Hill Road neighborhood are already experiencing water pressure problems and drawing more water out of the same aquifer would only make their problems worse, Komornick said.

"From what I understand, they (are) concerned about the adequacy of water now," she said. "I don't know if it's the amount or the pressure, but they are already having problems."

Komornick said a third housing development has been approved on the Newton border, but construction hasn't started yet. Houses there could be affected, too, she said.

"I think there's going to be significant withdrawal going on," Komornick said.

The withdrawal does not require town approval and the state would have given the water company the OK. But Newton selectmen intervened at the request of the Planning Board.

Doggett said the intervention allows for the public meeting tonight. At the very least, he said, it will give residents a chance to be informed and stall the installation of more than a dozen pump houses.

"What selectmen can do to try to affect the (state) Public Utilities Commission decision is limited," he said. "But if 600 people showed up to the meeting tonight and said they don't want this, the Public Utilities Commission, one assumes would actually listen to this."

The Hampstead Area Water Co. is based in Atkinson and has been in business for about 30 years. It is the third-largest private water provider in the state and serves at least 10 communities.

A phone call to the general manager of the company was not returned.

Doggett said he doesn't like the lack of local control that comes with the proposal. If the pump houses are put in, he said, the opportunities for the company are endless. For starters, if the town ever wanted municipal water, the Hampstead Area Water Co. would have the rights or could require the town buy them out.

"They can actually petition the rights to bottle water right here in town, too," he said. "The franchise is sort of like telling residents you can only shop at that car dealership or shop on a store on your street. Individual homeowners have certain rights and no company should be able to petition the state and take away your right to make a decision."

Doggett said Planning Board members are also unhappy the company didn't compromise with them and build a smaller franchise.

"It seems way in excess of what they need," he said. "They also offered to reduce the size of their franchise request and they rescinded that offer just two weeks later."

But most residents in both towns don't know enough about the proposal to make up their minds one way or another.

Newton town office manager Mary Winglass said the meeting is a prime time for people, herself included, to find out exactly what the positive and negative impacts of the proposal would be.

"What we're trying to do at this meeting is, first of all, get answers to questions about it," she said. "We want to find out what kind of rights does it give the homeowners. Will water taken be off the property and can we manage this?"

Doggett said he's sure most people in town don't know about the water franchise, but everyone should become informed and attend the meeting tonight to voice their opinions. The Public Utilities Commission will also hold an informational meeting at a later date this summer.

"Nine out of 10 people who have no idea what's going on will assume the Planning Board blessed this, and we don't," he said. "We've struggled hard and long to make sure the town is well served and when the townspeople don't pay attention, there's only so much we can do."

Staff writer Meghan Carey contributed to this report.

Water Worries

Who: Residents of Newton and Plaistow

What: Informational meeting about proposed water franchise

When: Today at 7 p.m.

Where: Sanborn Middle School gymnasium, 31A West Main St.

Why: Discuss a water franchise scheduled to be built on the Newton/Plaistow line

WOW!! Did you read THAT???

THE NEWTON SELECTMEN INTERVENED IN THE PROCESS ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN AT THE REQUEST OF THE PLANNING BOARD!

This is what the citizens of Atkinson asked our esteemed leaders, Selectman Sapia, Childs, and Sullivan to do on our behalf, and they told us;

Sorry, it's the States problem, not ours!

GUYS, It is YOUR problem to do what the voters ask you to do, NO MATTER WHAT!!!

Our planning board, and selectmen, were only too happy to ignore this potential problem.

And they wonder why they get so much criticism....