BERNARDSTON — Residents can still contribute their feedback on the Master Plan Implementation Committee’s recommendations until Monday.
The Master Plan Implementation Committee held a public meeting earlier this month to educate residents on Bernardston’s ongoing flooding problems. Committee Chairman John Lepore presented a video (which is available at vimeo.com/265639633) explaining why the Committee recommends that the town hire a professional hydrologist to fully assess the problem.
Although multiple septic systems have failed since Hurricane Irene in 2011, the town does not yet have the data it would need to determine whether the failures were caused by flooding or poor maintenance. A hydrology study would enable the town to determine that. A thorough understanding of the area’s water system would also enable the town to make more intelligent decisions on zoning in the future.
After the presentation, attendees worked in groups to prioritize a list of 18 recommendations from the Master Plan Implementation Committee. Of the 18, nine would be affected by the area’s water system.
Residents who could not attend the April 10 meeting can still submit their prioritized list of recommendations and their comments to John Lepore until Monday. The list is available at townofbernardston.org.
Residents are also asked to view the video on the town’s hydrology so that they can make an informed decision at the Town Meeting on June 6 on whether the town should undergo the hydrology study. The study would cost $8,000.