Committee votes against independent water commission in Middleboro

MIDDLEBORO — After meeting several times throughout the past few months and consulting with water-related departments in the town, the Charter Review Committee voted unanimously to not continue with a previous proposal for a separate water commission.

Four of the five committee members attended a joint meeting with the Select Board Nov. 17 to announce and explain their decision. 

Richard Oakley, a clean-water advocate who headed the push for an independent commission, said he was satisfied with the town’s current structure after learning more about it.

He said a presentation from the Department of Public Works at one of the committee meetings helped him understand the issue better and swayed his decision. 

The charter review process also gave him a deeper appreciation for his fellow committee members and the Select Board, he said. 

“I wanted to thank you all for this irreplaceable learning opportunity that I got, and I appreciate all of you a lot more as a result,” Oakley said to the board. “A big thank you for letting me learn in the public like this.”

Several Select Board members expressed their appreciation for Oakley’s willingness to change his stance after gathering more information. 

Member Teresa Farley said the situation was an example of two parties with the same goals but different approaches. She said Oakley has the town’s best interest at heart.

Member Brian Giovanoni called Oakley’s and the board’s decision a sign of their intelligence.

“The true sign of intelligence is when you get new information to change your mind, and I appreciate that you’re an intelligent person who got more information,” Giovanoni said. 

Fellow members echoed Oakley’s decision and said everything they learned in their meetings led them to decide the Select Board is the best group to manage water concerns in the town.

Committee member Lincoln Andrews also voted for no further action, but criticized the previous water commission study group and Oakley for his actions on the study group and review committee. 

However, several residents and the Select Board said they supported Oakley’s effort to question the town’s current structure even if the committee decided to take no further action.

Diane and Paula Fay both said Oakley fulfilled his duty as a citizen. Diana Fay said he “deserves a lot of credit” for his efforts, while her sister said it is the “responsibility” of residents to speak up when they are concerned.

Nathan Demers said the process furthered conversation surrounding water safety, and said it benefits the town when the public asks questions.

“If they want to take it one step further and take time away from their business and their family and friends and other commitments to explore possibilities the way that they could improve how things are done in town government, that should be applauded,” he said.