Announcements
VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!
Sun, Mar 28 2010
March 28th - The Board of Selectmen today declared an immediate Water Restriction covering all consumers of the public water supply. This restriction is due to the shutdown of the town’s Spectacle Pond wells and the severely reduced capacity of the water system, according to Shaun A. Suhoski, Town Administrator.
“The water is safe to drink, however, all residential and business consumers must seek to immediately reduce water consumption in order to preserve the remaining water supply,” he said.
Selectmen Chairman Cornelius “Connie” Sullivan convened an emergency session of the board today at 1:30 p.m. to receive an update on the status of the water supply and the related repairs to a collapsed drainage culvert along state Route 119 in Littleton.
DPW Supt. Daniel F. Nason advised the board that the culvert is the only outfall from Spectacle Pond and that its closure has caused upwards of four feet of additional water impoundment beyond typical springtime highs. The high water table has forced the temporary closure of Ayer’s Spectacle Pond wellfield.
Given the prediction for a severe rain event on March 29 and 30, the Board of Selectmen continued a State of Emergency that was originally declared on March 16 and met with state and Littleton officials late this afternoon at the Littleton Police Dept.
“Today’s meeting with the state undersecretary of public safety and state fire marshall indicates that the Commonwealth has put a top priority on implementing the repairs on Rt. 119,” said Mr. Nason. “In addition, the town is in close contact with the Mass. Emergency Management Agency and Mass. DOT to ensure availability of additional resources as may be needed.”
Some ways that residents can reduce water usage are to reduce shower time, do not run tap water while brushing teeth, shaving or washing dishes, and flushing toilets only when necessary, according to Mr. Nason. Local businesses are also included in the reductions. He added that the ban on any outdoor use of water will be strictly enforced.
Mr. Suhoski indicated that the town implemented a “reverse 911” call through the Worcester County Sheriff’s Dept. and that MEMA-provided message boards will be deployed tomorrow to advise of the water restriction. Also, a meeting with the town’s major water consumers is scheduled for tomorrow in order to secure reductions in use.
“The water is safe to drink, however, all residential and business consumers must seek to immediately reduce water consumption in order to preserve the remaining water supply,” he said.
Selectmen Chairman Cornelius “Connie” Sullivan convened an emergency session of the board today at 1:30 p.m. to receive an update on the status of the water supply and the related repairs to a collapsed drainage culvert along state Route 119 in Littleton.
DPW Supt. Daniel F. Nason advised the board that the culvert is the only outfall from Spectacle Pond and that its closure has caused upwards of four feet of additional water impoundment beyond typical springtime highs. The high water table has forced the temporary closure of Ayer’s Spectacle Pond wellfield.
Given the prediction for a severe rain event on March 29 and 30, the Board of Selectmen continued a State of Emergency that was originally declared on March 16 and met with state and Littleton officials late this afternoon at the Littleton Police Dept.
“Today’s meeting with the state undersecretary of public safety and state fire marshall indicates that the Commonwealth has put a top priority on implementing the repairs on Rt. 119,” said Mr. Nason. “In addition, the town is in close contact with the Mass. Emergency Management Agency and Mass. DOT to ensure availability of additional resources as may be needed.”
Some ways that residents can reduce water usage are to reduce shower time, do not run tap water while brushing teeth, shaving or washing dishes, and flushing toilets only when necessary, according to Mr. Nason. Local businesses are also included in the reductions. He added that the ban on any outdoor use of water will be strictly enforced.
Mr. Suhoski indicated that the town implemented a “reverse 911” call through the Worcester County Sheriff’s Dept. and that MEMA-provided message boards will be deployed tomorrow to advise of the water restriction. Also, a meeting with the town’s major water consumers is scheduled for tomorrow in order to secure reductions in use.