NEWS: Unprecedented Race for Water Commission

Selectman Josh Degen and Water Commissioner James Gmeiner are competeing for one seat on the Commission.This race is also noteworthy because in the 35 years of publishing this newspaper, no sitting Selectman has ever run for a second elective office - thus breaking with long tradition.

The race for Water Commissioner is usually an unremarkable contest, garnering little publicity. It is an important position, but one usually filled by experienced people toiling behind the scenes, working long hours on 'boring' technical and management issues.

This year, a siting Selectman, Josh Degen, has entered the race in part because he disagrees with the current Water Commissioners unanimous decision to ban the use of the herbicide Fluridone at Baddacook Pond and wants to explore whether it might be safely applied.

Josh Degen: originally elected Selectman in 2006 then re-elected to his fourth term to the Groton Board of Selectmen in 2013.

See Groton Herald's Question and Answer session with both candidates in another story in the NEWS SECTION of this week's paper.