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"Wynne
Kirschbaum" <surgwk2@ix.netcom.com>
05/14/2008
01:28 PM Default
custom expiration date of 05/14/2009 |
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May 14, 2008
For those of you who
could not attend…
Good
morning!
Just
wanted to follow up with everyone who could not be present at last night’s community
meeting regarding our water problem.
The
meeting was a huge success! We had a good turn out. Many residents were there
to ask a wide variety of important questions. Some questions lead to answers
which lead to further questions. The discussion that ensued went on for a solid
two hours!
Larry
Williams started off the meeting with a slide show/timeline, chronologically
depicting the events from the time the shed collapsed on March 18, to present.
Several members from the State Water Authority, and Department of Public
Services, were there to answer questions. Mike Bernadine attended and was very
helpful and informative as well. WCAX-TV3 was there. The video is still
available via website for viewing! Our state Rep. Bill Frank was present last night
as well. Along with help from the offices of Peter Welsh, Bernie Sanders, and
Patrick Leahy, Bill has been there to accept and make phone calls, process
information and give suggestions that would make this project transition more
smoothly. For that, we are thankful.
An
assortment of information including the results of recent water tests, i.e.
byproducts, bacteria, etc, temporary permits dated back to 2007, websites
(including our own new community site), and contact information for residents
to the state authority, were available. We learned about how water is tested,
the state/federal requirements, and proposals for Bolton Valley’s concerns and
future water plans.
The
importance of communication was stressed, not only between residents but between
Catamount Water/Redstone and the residents. We agreed that the lack of
communication was responsible for the breed of distrust.
Of
greatest information gained, we were educated to the high levels of chlorine byproducts,
that while not necessarily constant, have at times, been above the EPA
standards and are a serious health related risk! A great
deal of conversation was directed toward this and the future hope of well
water, as this would be the preferred alternative to the continuous problems
related to the present water system of surface run off. One comment made by one
of our residents pointed out that, “Even on its best day, the water
here is still not safe to drink!” Not only was the comment embraced, but
acknowledged by the state officials present.
We
certainly have come a long way since March 18, but there is still follow up to
be done. First, most, if not ALL of us, agreed, the water we will use for
cooking and drinking, will be bottled, at least through December 2008 when a
decision is made regarding the possibility of well water. Second, Larry
Williams also saw how the community was concerned and hungry for communication
and education regarding our water source. He agreed to keep us informed of any
activity regarding our water, planned repairs further affecting our water
source, i.e. increased chlorine=increased dangerous byproduct, BEFORE they
happen. He will notify us via our website, and by posted/mailed notice. Lastly,
the State Water Authority, made it clear that their responsibility was directed
toward inspection and follow up of all mandated required repairs/corrections.
It is the responsibility of the water company, i.e.Catamount/Redstone,
to keep us informed of activity with our water.
By the
meeting’s close, we all realized that the current system we have is at its
best, bungled with issues of organic contamination, an issue of contamination
with nature’s run off, and finally the increased levels of chlorine, needed at
times to help with these issues, increases health risks by the byproducts from
the chlorine. W realized that Catmount/Redstone was
left with an old system that is under current investigation for future changes
and improvements.
It is
each person/s decision as to how they do or do not wish to use their water. I
have forwarded the 15 page Temporary Permit, dated April 2007, and asked Kurt
to apply it to our website. If you are not able to read or download the pages,
please let me know and I will forward the mail to you. Within the next 24hours,
I will hand over our website address to Catamount/Redstone for future
communication. Look for posted notices on the side of our mailbox and check in
to our site for updates.
One final note. Because of bureaucracy, I was misinformed about the cover letter
content and petition requirement by the Department of Public Service. The
corrections have been made and the “re” letter/petition are being resent this
week via certified mail. We are asking for a board investigation, and will keep
you notified.
The
meeting is done but the communication is just starting!!
Thank you
to all!
Wynne Kirschbaum
434 4051
Andrea
Lister
434 4241
