Saunders, Oliveira, Finn, and Local Officials Push for Passage of Water and Sewer Governance Reform

Springfield, MA — Lawmakers and local officials from across Western Massachusetts are calling for passage of legislation that would reform the governance of the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission and ensure the surrounding communities it serves have a formal voice in its decisions.  

The legislation, H.2330, "An Act Relative to Regional Equity," filed by Representative Aaron Saunders (D-Belchertown), would restructure the Commission's board of directors to reflect the regional nature of its operations. Although the Commission provides essential water and sewer services to more than 250,000 residents, including tens of thousands outside of Springfield, those neighboring communities currently have no representation in governance or rate-setting decisions. 
 
"For too long, communities that help fund and rely on this critical infrastructure have had no formal seat at the table," said Representative Saunders. "This bill corrects that imbalance by giving surrounding municipalities meaningful representation and decision-making. It's about fairness, equity, and transparency."  

"The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission may be based in the city, but its impact reaches far beyond its borders," said Senator Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow). "This legislation advances the regional equity Western Mass deserves, ensuring that every community receiving services has a seat at the table and a voice in the decisions that affect them." 

Representative Mike Finn (D-West Springfield) added: "This bill brings long-needed reform that respects the interdependence of Springfield and its neighbors. Our ratepayers deserve transparency and a say in how this essential service is governed." 

Under the bill, the Commission's board would expand from three to seven members. Four members would continue to be appointed by the Mayor of Springfield, while the remaining three would be appointed by a newly established advisory board made up of the chief executives of Ludlow, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Agawam, and West Springfield, as well as representatives from the Little River watershed towns of Russell, Granville, and Blandford. 
 
Reforms in H.2330 include:  

• Expanding the board from three to seven members, with regional appointments  
• Requiring that no more than four board members reside in the same municipality 
• Ensuring that at least one board member is a minority person 
• Creating a regional advisory board to provide oversight on budgets and rates 
• Appointing an independent ombudsperson to advocate for ratepayer interests 
• Applying open meeting and public records laws to Commission operations  

Municipal leaders from across the region echoed these calls in a joint letter to the Legislature, stating:  
"Despite contributing significantly to the Commission's revenue and infrastructure use, these communities have been excluded from decision-making, lacking both transparency and accountability in areas that directly affect local budgets, residents, and future planning."  

Local leaders emphasized that the bill aims to restore fairness and public accountability to a regional utility that has operated without sufficient external oversight for decades.  
"This bill brings fairness, balance, and democratic accountability to a system that impacts every aspect of daily life for our residents," said the officials in a joint statement. "The communities we represent, and the ratepayers who fund this system, deserve a seat at the table."  

"This bill is a smart, fair step forward for regional water governance. Communities like Ludlow have long relied on this shared resource, but we've had little say in how decisions are made," said Ludlow Select Board member Anthony Alves. "By giving surrounding communities a formal voice through an advisory board and expanding the governing board itself, we can ensure that decisions reflect the needs and priorities of all the towns that rely on this system every day." 
 
With infrastructure planning, rate decisions, and regional trust on the line, local leaders and lawmakers are urging the Legislature to give H.2330 a favorable report and advance the bill this session.