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Freetown to press Fall River, New Bedford and MassDOT over disputed Innovation Way water leak
Summary
Selectmen said the town will seek representatives from Fall River and New Bedford to resolve which municipality is responsible for a suspected water main leak on Innovation Way, and will then report a resolution back to MassDOT.
At the July 13 meeting the board discussed a MassDOT letter about a suspected water-main leak under Innovation Way and whether Freetown or neighboring Fall River is responsible for repair costs. A selectman summarized the situation: "Fall River put the line in because they wanted to feed Amazon. Freetown entertains that that's Fall River's water line. They're responsible if there's a leak. Fall River says it's Freetown's water line because it's in Freetown." The official said MassDOT told the towns to "figure it out amongst yourselves."
Town officials said they are not yet certain the problem is a water-main leak; the water department has identified other possibilities and staff member Paul Sadick will provide historical information. The board directed staff to reach out to Fall River’s mayor to identify the appropriate contact and to convene a meeting with representatives from the nearby towns and the water departments before responding formally to MassDOT.
The board characterized the issue as preliminary and agreed to table formal action until representatives can meet and the town can assemble more technical information.
