E. Water/Sewer Commission and Advisory Board

 

The Hinsdale Select Board serves as our Town's Water and Sewer Commission; they set policy and rates for these utilities in this capacity. The day-to-day operations responsibility is delegated to the DPW Superintendent and Staff.

 

The Commission's authority was established when the Town adopted MGL c. 40N, s 4, which states:

 

In any city or Town which accepts the provisions of this chapter, there is hereby created a body politic and corporate and political subdivision of the commonwealth to be known as the water and sewer commission of the municipality. The Commission is hereby constituted an independent public instrumentality, and the exercise by the Commission of the powers conferred by this chapter shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential public function. The Commission shall not be subject to the supervision of the municipality or of any department, Commission, board, bureau, or agency of the municipality except to the extent and in the manner provided in this chapter.

The Commission also has the authority to examine and protect water supplies and sources of supply and to take appropriate action to protect these. This includes watershed protection. Water commissioners must recognize this responsibility and provide whatever resources are required to operate the system in compliance with MassDEP regulations (M.G.L.111 sec. 173A and 173B).

The Select Board later established the Water and Sewer Advisory Board, a group of appointed residents to advise the Commission on all matters related to the Water and Sewer services provided by the Town.