Mendon Water Board Reorganizes, Sets Operator Bid After Coliform Test Scare

Water · Meeting of June 17, 2026

Mendon Water Board reelects Cretton, eyes competitive bid for $27,000 operator contract. The Board of Water Commissioners voted unanimously at its June 11 meeting to reelect Kevin Cretton as chair and named James Moroy vice chair following the May town election that brought Douglas Hartman onto the board. The board also agreed to issue a solicitation for quotes for its water system operator contract, currently held by Whitewater at roughly $13,000 for the town-owned side and $14,000 for the customer side annually — a combined figure that falls in the $10,000-to-$50,000 range requiring competitive quotes under state procurement law.

A same-day phone call disclosed positive total coliform results at Town Hall and a town park, prompting the board to defer discretionary spending until fiscal year 2027 begins July 1, though members said the $10,000 year-end town-side budget balance was sufficient to cover retesting costs. The board also received a summary of a regional water source study, with a final phase-one report expected within two months; Cretton noted the board holds legal authority over any future water system development and must be formally involved in grant applications and financing decisions.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,421 words

Source: the Water meeting of June 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.