WHATELY — Berkshire Design Group has been hired to design a connection between the Whately Water District and the town’s water department, moving forward with plans to merge the two systems.
“At the last special town meeting, $40,000 was appropriated to hire an engineer for the final design of a connection between the two systems,” Town Administrator Brian Domina said by way of an update on the project at a joint meeting of the Finance Committee and the Selectboard Monday.
“Since that time,” Domina continued, “myself, Wayne (water superintendent Wayne Hutkoski), the Water Commissioners, and a representative from the water district interviewed four different engineering firms. The unanimous pick was Berkshire Design Group. They were the cheapest, and they had the most relevant experience.”
At least in part, Domina said the selection was influenced by the success of a similar project in Northampton, previously completed by Berkshire Design Group.
Following Domina’s presentation, the three-member Selectboard unanimously passed a motion to hire the Northampton-based engineering firm.
For years now, local officials have been concerned about the water district’s longevity.
Last year, those concerns came to a head when officials decided to merge the two systems, citing declining well levels, increasing testing requirements and low staffing.
The Whately Water District, formed in the 1970s, serves 42 residences, a few government buildings and the Whately Inn.
Connecting the two systems will come at a price.
A few options to fund the project suggested by officials last year include charging district customers a roughly $3,000 hook-up fee. Another option would be to charge a special water assessment fee to district customers, also slightly raising water rates townwide.
You can reach Andy Castillo
at acastillo@recorder.com
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On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo