Opinion of the Justices to the House of Representatives

To the Honorable the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

The undersigned Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court respectfully submit this answer to the question set forth in an order of the House of Representatives adopted on April 13, 1970, and transmitted to us on April 22, 1970. The order recites the pendency before the Joint Committee on Local Affairs of the General Court of a bill, House No. 885, a copy of which is transmitted with the order. The bill is entitled, “An Act further regulating the taking and holding by the Town of West Springfield of water within…