Letter: Help Us Be a More Informed Community, Make Changes in BCWA

The held a very important workshop last Wednesday evening on the Low Water Pressure Issue in Bristol and part of Warren. NOT ONE PERSON was in attendance! At first glance it would seem very apathetic. Let’s look at how the meeting was “advertised” (and I use the term lightly). It was on the Secretary of State’s Site under BCWA meetings, agenda 1. High Service Area - Low Water Pressure, Bristol

It was on the BCWA site.

It was posted at the three town halls.

Now really, is this enough of an effort by our water authority to let their customers know about this very important workshop? How many people do you suppose get up in the morning and routinely go to the Secretary of State site to see which meetings they need to attend? Not too many.

How about by mail, at least to the 2,400 customers that are directly affected? Wouldn’t that have been worth consideration?

Folks, there has to be a better way. We all have to work together here to get this information out there. We obviously can’t rely on the water authority to notify its customers of these meetings. They are thrilled when no one shows up. It proves to them that no-one actually cares.

I would suggest that anyone who hears of an important meeting, be it BCWA, school committee, finance committee, town council meeting, etc. could . Also, tell a few people, and ask them to tell others.

The era of relying on town officials to take care of your needs and issues is over. We need active citizen involvement, on many fronts!

And when election time comes around, let's elect town coucil members that will go the extra mile to be sure that their constituents are informed of important meetings. 

Please be sure and attend the Bristol Town Council meeting on January 26th, 7:00pm, Bristol Town Hall,  which will be voting on accepting the recommendations of Tony Teixiera's committee for changes to be made to the Bristol County Water Authority act.  Changes need to be made!

Marina Peterson

Bristol, RI