Southwick Water Commission Approves Two Abatements, Moves on Aquifer Group

SOUTHWICK -- July 16, 2026, Southwick Water Commission reduces two disputed water bills by a combined $4,800 at July 16 meeting. Chairman Ed Johnson and Commissioner Dave Mesmore, the only two members present with John Cain absent, voted to abate $300 on an $828 bill at 12 Coase Hill Road, where an incorrect billing address delayed the department's leak response by roughly ten days during a holiday period, and $4,500 on an $8,900 bill at 27 Hudson Drive, where a burst frozen pipe ran undetected before a pump station alarm triggered a response. The commission also unanimously approved 19 routine abatement applications and voted to authorize DPW to ask the Select Board to form a multi-community aquifer advisory group drawing in water contacts from West Southfield, West Springfield, and Westfield. Assistant Director John Goddard reported that Phase 1 of the North Lake Avenue water main replacement is complete, with paving finishing the week of July 16, and that a Select Board hearing is set for the following Monday on transferring $182,996 in block grant funds to extend the main from Rodman Court to Chapman Street.