Cheshire Asked to Take Over Water System
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Hutchinson Water Co. wants to hand over its operation to the town.
The Selectmen received a letter from Matthew Hutchinson, owner of the private company that supplies water to the Hutchinson development off Route 8, which stated that he wanted out of the operation.
"They want us to take over their problems," Selectwoman Carol Francesconi said on Tuesday.
The water system supplies more than 20 homes in the Hutchinson Acres development that was established over 50 years ago.
Hutchinson stated in his letter that he helped his grandmother run the company in her final years and since her death, he has been running the show.
He said he does not live in town and no longer wants the responsibility.
"Based on many reasons such as living two hours out of town, family, growing responsibilities and my career, I no longer have the time or desire to properly run the company," he wrote. "It would be in the best interest of the residents ... for the town to take ownership and give it the proper attention needed."
Francesconi suspected that the company was up against increasing state mandates and said the Selectmen will hand off the letter to the Water Department.
"We will take that under advisement and refer it to the Water Department," she said.
In other business, Planning Board Chairwoman Donna DeFino said the town's new marijuana establishment zoning bylaw is largely complete and will be sent to town counsel for review.
"We believe we have a final proposed bylaw ... fingers crossed this will be final," she said.
Last year, the town opted to set a moratorium to freeze all marijuana applications until it could craft a bylaw.
After town counsel's review, the bylaw will be published on the town's website, so residents can review it before voting on it at the annual town meeting.
The bylaw covers all establishments related to marijuana including retail and cultivation facilities. It also closely follows the state regulations, but limits use to the existing Route 8 business zone.
During Highway Superintendent Blair Crane's report, Crane said the new loader is now equipped with all of its components.
"The last implement has been welded together so all of the different functions are good to go," Crane said.
He went on to say he has been surveying winter damage, so the department is prepared to make repairs once the snow melts.
"There is some guardrail damage, signs normal winter damage and I have been running around putting a list together," he said.
Crane said he also plans to do some serious patching on Route 116 when the asphalt plant opens this Monday.
"There has been a lot of complaints about Route 116 and I don't blame them," he said. "It has been rough on that road, but it is on the horizon."
Tags: drinking water,
