Select Board endorses drought-response strategy, approves summer events
Select Board endorses coordinated drought-response strategy as Stow enters critical water shortage. Board of Health Chair Mary McDowell reported Level 3 critical water status—the most severe in the state—with Stow relying entirely on private wells from a shared aquifer. A USGS monitoring well
Select Board · Meeting of June 23, 2026
STOW — Select Board endorses coordinated drought-response strategy as Stow enters critical water shortage. Board of Health Chair Mary McDowell reported Level 3 critical water status—the most severe in the state—with Stow relying entirely on private wells from a shared aquifer. A USGS monitoring well showed groundwater at 19.71 feet below surface, below the 24-year historical low.
Town Administrator Denise Dembkoski coordinated departmental roles including well monitoring, conservation messaging, and public communication, with immediate outreach beginning and formal recommendations due by July 8. The Board unanimously approved summer event permits for four events, reappointed Ed DeLuca to the Green Advisory Committee, and reappointed numerous volunteer and paid town officials.
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Source: the Select Board meeting of June 23, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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