Letter from Bruce Markusen

Town of Hartwick Coverage Lacking

As an elected official, I do not make a habit of trying to correct media coverage about local government, but there are times when that step is not only necessary, but prudent. This is one of those times. In recent weeks, residents of the Town of Hartwick have been made aware of alleged problems with our water system, which are based on distortions and incomplete information and have been reported in an incomplete manner by the local media. These allegations, which have been spread irresponsibly over Facebook and social media, have created panic and fearmongering, as part of an effort to smear an elected official. It is time to correct the record.

This story began in early April with reports of mold being found on two walls of the Hartwick reservoir, as posted by Councilman Bryan LoRusso on one of his Facebook political pages. This issue of mold and moisture is not new, nor has it created a water safety issue, either now or in the past. The presence of mold has been a longstanding condition of the Hartwick water reservoir, far predating the term of our current water operator, Chris Briggs, who has been in the position since 2019.