Study group, Select Board find common ground on separate Middleboro Water Commission

MIDDLEBORO — The Select Board opened the door to creating a separate Water Commission Monday, Sept. 8 — starting a process that may take the responsibility of water oversight out of the board’s hands.

At the 2025 Spring Town Meeting, Richard Oakley, a vocal clean-water advocate, brought forward a citizen petition to create a “Water Commission study group,” with the goal of determining if Middleboro would benefit from independent water oversight. Since 2020, Middleboro has been dealing with the presence of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in the water supply.

Voters approved the study group’s formation, chaired by Oakley. In August, the group found that Middleboro would benefit from a separate Water Commission, and voted 3-2 to recommend the Select Board make the change.

On Monday, the Select Board voted unanimously to create a Charter Review Committee to review Middleboro’s governing document and once again examine if the commission is the best course of action.

The Select Board’s decision delays the creation of a separate Water Commission until after Feb. 15, 2026 — significantly later than the Oct. 6 Fall Town Meeting date hoped for by Oakley and the other study group members.

Teresa Farley, Select Board Vice Chair, said the group was moving too fast by pushing for the issue to be voted on at the next Town Meeting. She said there is more information and data needed before a decision can be made.

“If we separate this now, without having enough data in front of us, it does a disservice to the town.” Farley said “I would like to come up with a way that allows us to get more data, more information and bring it to Town Meeting in April if that’s what is determined, but October’s too soon.”

Select Board member Bill Pike shared these concerns, and said the issue needed further study.

Several board members pushed back on the study group’s recommendation, questioning whether a separate water oversight is needed at all.

Select Board Chairman Mark Germain and Select Board member Thomas White questioned if the committee believed the board is incapable of overseeing the town’s water.

Oakley said the group’s goal was only to decide whether a commission was necessary — not to determine how the town’s water issues should be solved.

Fellow study group member Allin Frawley commented their decision was not personal but based on a belief that the town needs people dedicated to and specialized in water treatment. He said it was important to avoid political decisions and instead focus on what best serves the town and its future residents.

“Please don’t take it personal — if you do take it personally, though, please understand that that’s why we should have a separate water commission, because your personal feelings shouldn’t be clouding your judgment on clean water,” Frawley said.

“We need to get in front of this for the young families moving to town, people who are having kids and raising their kids drinking this water,” he added.

Once the charter review is complete, the committee will make a recommendation to the Select Board. If they find there should be a separate Water Commission, the Select Board would then vote on its creation and present it to voters at the Spring Town Meeting next year.

“I keep hearing about all these different things [water contamination issues], we keep talking about them. You know what I think we should do? I think we should put it to the people,” said Select Board member Brian Giovanoni before making the motion to create the Charter Review Committee.

Anyone interested in joining the charter review can reach out to Town Manager James McGrail.