The Regulation of Mansfield Water

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year..."

So, the famous 1963 Pola and Wyle song tells us. Yet, it also warns, “there’ll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases, long, long ago…”

And, right here in Mansfield, we have the scariest story of all.

Of what do I speak?

Why, that would be the current state of unregulated water in Mansfield.

This nightmare before Christmas was dropped upon the Town Council on Dec. 12 at a lightly attended council meeting in the form of a letter from Kurt Heidinger dated Oct. 31. Presented in an airy fashion by the Town Manager (as in no details, not read into the record, or even available in the council packet 'til the following morning), it was followed by a dusting of theatrical drama in which Councilman Shapiro recused himself from the discussion. Seems Shapiro had a major hand in this mess while still a company paid man (i.e. legal counsel to 1982-2003).

While your “marshmallows are roasting” and you are “caroling out in the snow” take a moment or two to ponder the advantages of an unregulated water system in Mansfield.

Who sets the rates for unregulated water? Where is Mansfield’s water board, consumer representatives, or its plan to manage its infrastructure and expansion? Better still, how do you manage UConn’s sprawl and demands for more and more water in the absence of such regulation? In whose interest is it to sell water unregulated? Who benefits?

In the words of “Chinatown’s” private eye Jake Gittes (played by Jack Nicholson), “Nine times out of ten, if you follow the money, you will get to the truth.”

Regulating Mansfield’s water would empower the DPH, DEEP and DPUC to regulate the system, which, of course, would include neat things like planning for system expansion according to strict rules just like every other community in the state of Connecticut

Ah, but Mansfield shall have none of this!

Every UConn Water and Wastewater Policy Advisory Committee meeting has been cancelled since May. Disappeared just like Marley’s ghost!

So, should you be interested in hearing a “tale of the glories of Christmases past” attendance at the Jan. 9 town council meeting is a must. It is then that the Town Manager will unveil his response to Heidinger’s letter.

In the meantime I shall leave you with this thought. If Mansfield doesn’t buy its water from a legit water company, well then folks, it’s buying it from an entity that makes up its own rules!