In a reminder to residents and media in Bethel, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said the scheduled public hearing on the proposal to sell the Bethel Water Department to the Aquarion Water Company will continue as planned for 7 p.m. Monday, July 8 at Bethel High School.
"Since the proposed sale would affect all Bethel residents, not just those who are Bethel water customers, everyone is encouraged to attend the hearing and ask questions," said Knickerbocker in the announcement. He added participants will include officials from the Board of Selectmen and Public Utilities Commission, Aquarion Water Company, PURA and the Department of Public Health.
On July 5, the Bethel Action Committee posted an announcement on Patch saying the Board of Selectmen could not legally proceed with the hearing.
"According to the Statute, the first warning of the Hearing must be published 'at least twice, at intervals of not less than two days, the first not more than fifteen days or less than ten days and the last not less than two days before the date set for the Hearing,'" said the announcement. The group said the first notice for the meeting was post 17 days prior.
On their website, the Bethel Action Committee posted a statement describing the sale as part of the "'haste factor' that is the hallmark of Mr. Knickerbocker's approach to major decision-making for our town."
"While quick actions work out in the corporate world very well, the fact is that deliberation in municipal government decisions is the way that best serves the people-at-large," said the statement posted on their website.
Knickerbocker announced a second public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. July 16 in the General Purpose Room of the Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center for those unable to attend the first meeting. He added the followup hearing would "satisfy the legal notification requirements related to the sale of public property."
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