Stockbridge officials weigh cameras, signage and road closure after reports of unauthorized use at Lenox water supply

Stockbridge sewer and water staff told the board July 7 they had received reports that people were fishing at the Lenox reservoir and that a landscaper had filled a hydroseeder from the lake, actions the board said are not permitted at the town’s public water supply. Mike, a sewer and water staff member, said the incidents prompted concern about security and contamination risk and recommended the board pursue deterrent measures.

“Someone was filling a hydroseeder with a pump out of the reservoir,” Mike said, describing the event as occurring recently and noting that people were also fishing from the causeway. Board members called the activity unacceptable and discussed measures to prevent recurrence.

The board discussed several steps including installing motion-detection cameras, replacing decades-old signs with more detailed aluminum signage, selective fencing in wooded stretches and asking the select board to revisit closing Lenox Water Supply Road where appropriate. Mike noted cameras typically allow staff to review footage after an incident and emphasized retention period and review workload as operational considerations.

Members also recommended engineering checks and a review of an existing interconnection with Lee to evaluate emergency supply options if something compromised the Lenox supply. “It’s the only lake we have,” Mike said, arguing the town should know whether the old interconnection would work in an emergency and whether its valves and meter could be operated.

Next steps: staff will explore camera vendors and sign replacements, evaluate the interconnection’s operability with engineering, and the board plans to follow up with the select board about previously raised road-closure recommendations.