By Theresa Knapp 

Earlier this year, the Land Court dismissed a lawsuit the Town of Hopedale had filed against the Grafton and Upton Railroad in Land Court related to a 155-acre parcel at 364 West Street. 

Part of the January settlement agreement between the town and the Railroad was a possible water cost-sharing agreement whereby, if new water resources are explored, the Water & Sewer Commission would have the opportunity to split expenses with GURR if it so chooses. 

If the town decides not to partner with the Railroad, the agreement says each party should be responsible for its own costs. 

On Sept. 13, at a joint meeting of the Water & Sewer Commission and the Board of Selectmen, it was reported that, the previous week, Tim Watson from the W&S Commission, Town Administrator Diana Schindler, and Michael Milanoski of GURR met to discuss the water cost-sharing agreement. 

“The Railroad does have this exploratory agreement with the town to assist and partner in looking and exploring for other water sources, we do intend to honor that agreement,” Milanoski said at the meeting. “We’re hoping that we’ll be able to start a preliminary review on that in the next few weeks, and when we do, again, we’ll be coordinating with Diana and Tim as necessary while the Water Commission determines when they’ll take that issue up.” 

“Everything went well,” said Water Commissioner Watson. 

A copy of the draft agreement can be found at https://www.hopedale-ma.gov/administrator-board-selectmen.