[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 165 (Tuesday, October 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2003]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             BRIDGEWATER WINS WASTE- WATER TREATMENT AWARD

                                 ______


                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 1995

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, because we in Congress must 
often focus on legislation and issues which pose problems for 
communities in our districts, we too rarely note those cases where 
municipalities we represent have complied with Federal laws in an 
effective manner to the benefit of their residents. I would like to 
take a few moments to recognize one community which has done just that: 
the town of Bridgewater, MA, which was recently selected as a recipient 
of the Environmental Protection Agency's 1995 national first place 
award for outstanding operation and maintenance program in the medium 
advanced category.
  According to the letter announcing the award, ``EPA based this 
selection on the facility's demonstrated innovative and cost-effective 
achievements.'' The town has a lengthy history of this type of 
accomplishment and recognition in water treatment, having already won 
the EPA regional award in the same category, an award which made the 
town eligible for the national award. The town became eligible for the 
regional award by virtue of having exceeded the EPA operating standards 
for the past 2 years. In fact, the town has been recognized for its 
innovative operation and maintenance procedures--particularly in the 
areas of septage and odor handling, which of course constantly present 
themselves to a facility of this kind--since the current wastewater 
treatment plant first went on line in 1989.
  Mr. Speaker, while any award of this kind is inevitably the result of 
a team effort, a great deal of the credit for this exemplary work 
should go to Joseph Souto, the wastewater treatment plant 
superintendent. In addition, the following town officials also made 
important contributions to this success: Charles J. Kane, Allan S. 
Knight and Fawn L. Gifford (chairman, clerk and member, respectively of 
the board of water and sewer commissioners); Robert A. Correia, 
(assistant superintendent); Richard W. Boss, John E. Garabee, and 
Michael J. Studley (plant operators); and Katharine T. Dumas and Eileen 
J. Weinberg (water and sewer secretaries).
  I offer my congratulations to the town of Bridgewater and the hard-
working people involved in the operation of the wastewater treatment 
plant for their work in improving their community and for showing us 
the positive role government can play in our society.

                          ____________________