The owners and operators of the Woodstock Aqueduct Company will present information at a public forum at the Woodstock Town Hall on August 31st about the current status of the water system in Woodstock as well as possible future plans for the privately held company.
"The water system is fully functioning following the repairs we made after the July rains," said Jireh Billings, the President and primary spokesman for the Woodstock Aqueduct Company. "We have a temporary fix in place across the Elm Street Bridge and we are working towards a more permanent solution that is designed to withstand these more frequent storms. We want to share with customers and the public the status of the repairs as well as the overall condition of the aqueduct system."
Craig Jewett, a Professional Engineer and a Principal of Otter Creek Engineering, has agreed to present the latest engineering reports on the condition of the water system at the public forum. "Craig has been doing a comprehensive study of the water system," said Billings, "and is incredibly knowledgeable about the regulations and evolution of community water systems in Vermont. We're excited he has agreed to be there to present information and answer questions from the public."
Former State Representative Charlie Kimbell will act as the moderator at the forum. "This will provide valuable information to anyone concerned about the current status or the future of the water system in Woodstock," said Kimbell. "The Aqueduct Company is willing to lay their cards on the table, which isn't typical of a privately held company. Part of the discussion will inevitably turn to 'Should the town own the water system?' The challenge will be to ensure that the discussion is productive and that all the voices are heard. This is not an official meeting of the Town or the Village, but instead an informational meeting for the general public."
The public forum will begin at 6pm in the 2nd floor meeting room of the Woodstock Town Hall on Thursday, August 31st. The forum is scheduled for 90 minutes.