NEW SALEM, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The New Salem Selectboard has issued a statement of support for An Act relative to the Quabbin watershed and regional equity, a new piece of legislation that seeks fair compensation for Quabbin towns that have long worked to protect the watershed that provides drinking water for eastern Massachusetts.
The bill would establish a fund to support the municipalities maintaining the watershed, require PILOT payments for the land under the Quabbin, require the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, MWRA, to have representation from the Quabbin, and prohibit the MWRA from approving any new transfer of water from the Quabbin until an evaluation of Quabbin water needs is completed.
Senator Jo Comerford presented the bill to address the impact of the Quabbin on New Salem and surrounding communities.