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Mansfield approves intermunicipal water agreement with Attleboro after public concern over permanent connection
Summary
The Select Board approved an intermunicipal agreement to supply water to Attleboro during drought emergencies and to create a permanent underground connection (50/50 cost share). Residents raised concerns about making temporary emergencies permanent; the board voted to approve the agreement with one abstention.
The Select Board on Nov. 20 approved a draft intermunicipal agreement (IMA) with the City of Attleboro to provide emergency water service via an initial temporary hydrant hookup and to plan for a permanent underground interconnection. Town staff and DPW Director Josh Reinke described the plan as a preparedness measure that would keep the permanent connection closed until a documented need is demonstrated.
Town staff said the temporary connection uses a Mansfield hydrant to an Attleboro hydrant while the permanent option would be an underground pipe and interconnection valve. "It's in fact, it's always off until such need arises on either side of that pipe," Josh Reinke said, describing operational controls and the Foxborough precedent. The construction cost for a similar Foxborough connection was cited at about $60,000, with Mansfield responsible for half of that expense.
Residents in the meeting questioned making a permanent connection for what they called rare and temporary hardships. "I'm concerned that we're making the connections for a rare and temporary hardship permanent," said Sandra Levine of Walnut Street, who asked for clarity about long-term costs and the potential for ongoing flows to Attleboro. Staff responded that Mansfield would sell water rather than "give" it, that pricing and gallon limits are spelled out in the draft, and that Mansfield will retain discretion to refuse service if it lacks capacity.
Staff reported Mansfield's current daily use at about 1,500,000 gallons and said system capacity can reach up to 5,000,000 gallons per day; the draft IMA would make about 250,000–500,000 gallons per day potentially available to Attleboro under the arrangement. Construction costs for the permanent connection are split 50/50 with Attleboro, and the board was told the town's share would be drawn from the water enterprise account.
The Select Board voted to approve the IMA with final edits from town counsel; the roll call showed the motion passed with a majority in favor and one abstention. Proponents argued the arrangement is a targeted, controlled option to respond to drought-driven emergencies; opponents called for limiting the town to temporary hookups only.
