Acushnet Select Board Acts After Water Department Loses Both Certified Operators

ACUSHNET — January 4, 2026 — Acushnet Select Board holds emergency meeting after water department loses both certified operators on New Year's Eve. The board convened January 4 after Town Administrator Jamie V. received a December 30 letter from MassDEP's Scott Sayers stating that the town's primary and secondary distribution operators had submitted termination notices effective December 31, 2025, placing the Acushnet Water Department in violation of 310 CMR 22.11 starting January 1. State regulations require an immediate replacement primary operator holding at least a D2 license and a secondary operator holding at least a 1D license. The chair reported that outreach to the Town of Fairhaven is underway to explore shared services, and that a private contractor — described as highly credentialed and based in Fall River — has been identified and is expected to be formally appointed at Tuesday's regular Select Board meeting. The board then voted unanimously, with members Gaspar and Hinckley in favor, to enter executive session to discuss United Steelworkers collective bargaining implications and did not return to public session.