Behind the Times

Sterling 5, Nestle 0

Posted on April 9, 2008 by Michael Ballway
Filed Under Clinton, Mike's posts, Sterling |

That’s not quite how the discussion went, but no matter how you spin it, Clinton selectmen voted unanimously tonight to reject Nestle’s bid for Wekepeke water. Selectman Joseph Notaro Jr. said he didn’t like the “risk-reward tradeoff” of the deal — specifically mentioning the threat of lawsuits from Sterling residents, and the lower-than-anticipated payments Nestle would make — and his colleagues agreed.

Selectmen also voted unanimously to ask their town attorney to give a report clarifying Clinton’s rights on the Wekepeke land. Notaro wanted to know if Clinton has rights to ground water, surface water and the use of the land; Selectman Kevin Haley added the question of whether Clinton could sell it; Selectman Anthony Fiorentino said Clinton should look into whether, and how much of, Sterling’s zoning bylaws apply. Both Haley and Fiorentino had said they still want to do something with the Wekepeke land to raise funds to repair the dams.