In the late 1960's and early 1970's, residents of the Ascutney area were already recognizing that there was a growing problem with the water supply for homes and businesses in Ascutney. In response to these concerns, an ‘Ascutney Fire District’ was
formed to consider the creation of a municipal water system serving the area, encompassing the area from the Connecticut River west to the Interstate 91 corridor, and from the Windsor Town Line south to Wilgus State Park.

A Prudential Committee was elected by the District and, in 1973, a Federally funded study was completed to determine the location of adequate water supplies and design of a water system to serve the area. The culmination of this program was the 1978 Town Meeting, when the voters rejected an article to accept ownership of the existing private water company from Roland Smith.

After the Town Meeting, the District became dormant. There are no records that it was officially dissolved, and apparently the District members simply stopped meeting. Lacking any affirmative action to dissolve a Fire District, Vermont law provides that it remains in
existence, but inactive.

The Ascutney area is now facing even more acute problems, including not only water but also wastewater disposal problems. Federal clean water regulations effective in the 1990's have created ‘wellhead protection’ areas to guard existing public water supplies - both the private water company which serves portions of Ascutney and the on-site water supply for the Weathersfield Middle School. One side effect of these ‘protection areas’ has been the restriction of development within the designated areas, including prohibitions against new onsite septic systems and limitations on replacement of failed systems. The private water company has also indicated their interest in dissolving the corporation.

The Select Board is now faced with its statutory duty to convene a meeting of the ratepayers [the legal term for property owners within a fire district] and to provide adequate information so that the ratepayers can make informed decisions. Once convened, the
ratepayers may elect a prudential committee to govern the district and proceed with addressing future concerns, or vote to dissolve the District.

There will be an informational meeting at the Weathersfield Middle School, in Ascutney, on Saturday, March 10, 2007, starting at 1:00 P.M.. Information and materials regarding the options which effect you, as a property owner in Ascutney, will be provided.

Very truly yours,
Henry C. Cobb, Jr.
Chairperson, Weathersfield Select Board