Relating to the Interbasin Transfer Application For the North Sherborn Water and Sewer District’s Proposal to Obtain Water Supply from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
This Public Hearing Notice is available in alternative languages (Español -- Tiếng Việt -- Chinese -
- Kreyòl Ayisyen -- Português) on the Water Resources Commission website at: Interbasin Transfer Act applications webpage.
The Massachusetts Water Resources Commission hereby gives notice pursuant to MGL Chapter 21 Sections 8B - 8D, and 313 CMR 4.00, Interbasin Transfer Act (ITA) and Regulations, that it will
conduct two virtual public hearings, one each for the donor basin and receiving area, to receive
public comment on the proposed interbasin transfer, and an additional virtual public hearing on
the draft staff recommendation, when complete.
The North Sherborn Water and Sewer District (NSWSD) is proposing to connect to the
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to purchase up to 0.08 million gallons per day
(MGD) of water. The NSWSD has its service area in the Concord River Basin. The MWRA’s sources
are located in the Chicopee River and Nashua River Basins.
Copies of the application, in the form of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and Final
Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), are available for review at the Sherborn Library, the Clapp
Memorial Library in Belchertown, the Bigelow Free Public Library in Clinton, on the MEPA
website, and on the Interbasin Transfer Act applications webpage. Copies of the application may
also be obtained by contacting Vanessa.Curran@mass.gov.
The Commission has scheduled two (2) public hearings to receive comments on whether the
application is consistent with the criteria for approval set out in the Interbasin Transfer Act, such
as impacts on the fisheries, recreation and the aquatic ecosystem of the donor basin and whether the receiving area has any available in-basin sources and is using water as efficiently as possible.
- Donor basin: October 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM. This meeting will be held online via Zoom.
Please see instructions for joining at the end of this notice. - Receiving area: October 28, 2026 at 2:00 PM. This meeting will be held online via Zoom.
Please see instructions for joining at the end of this notice.
Testimony may be presented orally at either public hearing or in writing. Comments will be
accepted until 5:00 PM, November 4, 2026. The Commission strongly encourages electronic
submittal, via email to Vanessa.Curran@mass.gov. Written testimony may also be mailed to: Water Resources Commission, Attention: Vandana Rao, EOEEA, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114.
Commission staff will develop a draft staff recommendation following the close of public
comment. The Commission expects that the draft staff recommendation will be presented to the
Commission at its December 10, 2026 meeting. Copies of the draft staff recommendation will be
available on the Interbasin Transfer Act applications page on or before December 1, 2026.
The Commission has scheduled another public hearing to receive comments on the draft
recommendation, which will be held online via Zoom on December 17, 2026 at 11:30 AM. Please
see instructions for joining at the end of this notice.
Testimony may be presented orally at the public hearing or in writing. Comments will be accepted from the date the draft decision is posted until 5:00 PM, December 24, 2026. The Commission strongly encourages electronic submittal, via email to Vanessa.Curran@mass.gov. Written testimony may also be mailed to: Water Resources Commission, Attention: Vandana Rao, EOEEA, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114.
Registration is required to obtain access to the virtual hearing room for each hearing. To register,
go to the link provided below. There is no requirement to register in advance of the hearing to
attend; registration and access to the hearing is available both prior to and during the meeting
until it has ended. Simultaneous oral interpretation will be provided at the hearing through the
virtual hearing room.
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a
request for an accommodation please email eeadiversity@mass.gov or call 617-872-3270, and an
ADA Coordinator will receive your request. Please include a description of the request in as much
detail as possible and a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please allow at
least two weeks (14 days) advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but we may be
unable to fulfill the request.
Instructions for Joining the October 28th Donor Basin Public Hearing Zoom Meeting:
Topic: WRC Donor Basin Public Hearing on the NSWSD ITA Application
Time: October 28, 2026 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Link to Register for Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xRYpOCQaSWeBD-zNohvSHQ
Instructions for Joining the October 28th Receiving Area Public Hearing Zoom Meeting:
Topic: WRC Receiving Area Public Hearing on the NSWSD ITA Application
Time: October 28, 2026 02:00 PM Eastern Time
Link to Register for Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X24DHUt3SGShnKPLxRNTqQ
Instructions for Joining the December 17th Public Hearing Zoom Meeting:
Topic: WRC Public Hearing on Draft Staff Recommendation on the NSWSD ITA Application
Time: December 17, 2026 11:30 AM Eastern Time
Link to Register for Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_c88_epyvQNmyiT6hVWh7BA