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Petition - have your neighbors sign it (must be a Sterling resident registered voter)
WHAT CAN OR SHOULD WE DO?
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Each of us is responsible for making a fully-informed decision, and for respecting those made by others. Keep accessing this website, and attend open meetings
whenever possible, to keep yourselves informed.
- Keep in mind this is a 30-year project-potentially longer. Our children and theirs will live with Sterling’s decision.
- Whatever your concerns and questions, let our Selectmen know them! Attend open Board meetings, and be a voice! Do not rely on the Nestle website as a source of information; some of it is inaccurate, incomplete and/or misleading. Access the Resource links on this website, and regularly, before you make your decision.
- If you are against the sale of water from the Wekepeke, please click on the Petition link, print it, sign it and mail, or drop it off, to Donna Joss, 165 Rowley Hill Road.
- If you are not against the sale of water from the Wekepeke, and if it is confirmed that the zoning by-laws will need to be changed, or a variance from Sterling will need to be granted, before this can go forward, demand of our Selectmen that (a) the citizens have the final say (by town vote) as to whether this will be permitted; and (b) require that the vote be based on whether the essential and final terms of the proposed contract, are acceptable. See Minimum Conditions & Requirements below.
- While some may conclude that exploitation of water may have its place in certain instances, consider whether “Nestle” should pioneer any such effort in Sterling.
MINIMUM CONDITIONS & REQUIREMENTS
If it is confirmed that the proposed project will require a change in any of Sterling’s zoning by-laws or a variance, those who may be prepared to vote for this should consider doing so only if certain essential terms and conditions of the final proposed agreement(s) meet certain minimum requirements:
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Agreement(s) should not contain any provisions that could result in permitted amount of water pumped, to be lifted.
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Agreement(s) should require that pumping be suspended if, and for as long as, the aquifer needs to re-charge, as determined by independent hydrologist paid by Sterling.
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Agreement should ensure that only Nestle is responsible and liable if the wells of any Sterling inhabitants go dry, or the quality and/or quantity of their water is otherwise reduced by 30% or more. Nestle and Clinton should be jointly and severally liable for all costs and expenses incurred by any affected residents to replace their wells, with no dollar limit on that responsibility and liability.
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Agreement should require that the dams of Wekepeke be permanently and fully repaired in accordance with all State requirements, at no cost or expense to Sterling, and before any pumping is allowed to commence.
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Agreement should allow Sterling to monitor and audit the amount of water being pumped.
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Agreement should stipulate, without qualification, that Sterling has no responsibility or liability for anything regarding the Wekepeke or this project, that Nestle and Clinton are jointly and severally liable for all losses and damages etc., and that all compensation received and benefits derived by Sterling are in consideration for the zoning change or variance granted.
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