Gov. Maura Healey recently sent a letter to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority [MWRA] urging them to work more closely with communities that steward the Quabbin Reservoir. It comes a month after an MWRA board meeting in Belchertown was swarmed by residents and local lawmakers.
Western Mass. towns that manage the Quabbin want more representation on the board, and more money from the state for maintaining a water resource they don't receive.
State Sen. Jo Comerford, of Northampton, represents some towns that border the Quabbin. She said the governor's support could tip the scales in favor of regional equity.
"It is absolutely absurd, and actually unethical, for these dozen communities that for generations have protected this watershed to have zero voice on the board of directors," she said.
In a statement, officials with the MWRA said "staff are exploring all of these suggestions and will be presenting potential next steps to the MWRA Board of Directors."
During a recent visit to western Mass. Healey said the issue is a matter of fairness.
“So it's important to me as governor that the Quabbin communities be treated more fairly,” said Healey. “And that's why I have made the effort to make sure that funding is going to them through the Mass Ready Act. It's also why I announced what I did the other day [the letter] to show support for the Quabbin communities.”