Two wells in Shutesbury Massachusetts were discovered to have a high level of contaminants by the Board of Health. The board promptly sent notices to local well-owners urging caution when using well water. Further testing is necessary to confirm if the wells contain elevated levels of PFAS in the area. The board plans to meet with the Department of Health to determine the next steps in combating the contamination. More than half of the residents of Shutesbury receive their water from wells, causing concern for vulnerable individuals.
Communication between the Board of Health and the public has strained in the ongoing crisis. One resident, Michael Hootstein reported unusual activity to the state attorney. He claims that the board met outside of a public meeting to discuss the issue, preventing the public from staying up to date on the issue. This act is in violation of the Open Meeting Law which necessitates that boards like this one must discuss public affairs with the public present. He additionally claims he was denied access to a map of potential chemical hot spots. The Amherst Bulletin reports that the board plans to select 40 wells in the area for chemical testing.
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