Water Authority Board Director Resigns Due to 'Unhealthy Climate'

A member of the Board of Directors recently resigned from his position due to what he called an "unhealthy climate."

Bristol resident David Dugan submitted a letter to the town of Bristol on Tuesday, Aug. 16, announcing his immediate resignation from the BCWA Board of Directors. The letter explains a number of reasons for Dugan's decision.

In it, he states, "I have also taken into consideration what I perceive to be an unhealthy climate making it difficult to perform the duties asked of us as Directors."

In a phone interview, Dugan said that though it was not the only reason that he decided to resign, the unhealthy environment with local activism groups did play a part.

"We're at a meeting and people stand up before the Council and say, 'these people are incompetent and if the Council knew how to do their job they would fire them all,'" Dugan said. "I'm a volunteer, so why sould I sit there and listen to them call us all incompetent?"

Another deciding factor for Dugan is the time demands involved in the numerous meetings with the water authority, the public and three towns. 

"The demands being made not only by one council but by three councils are a lot and the effort that will be required to answer all of the questions will be tremendous," he stated. "It is just going to be too many hours as far as Im concerned, it will be like a full time job."

But Dugan shows no signs of hostility toward the board, councils or activists digging for more information and said that he has enjoyed his two years on the board.

In his letter he writes, "please recognize the appreciation I have for the confidence exhibited in me by the Council in my appointment... I wish all parties much success going forward."