Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Wastewater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board directs staff to send MCI wastewater letter and signals intent to seek funding for due diligence
Summary
The Select Board edited and approved a draft response to the state about the former MCI wastewater treatment plant and agreed to include language saying the board is considering a town-meeting article to appropriate funding for further due diligence and negotiation of a land disposition agreement.
At the Feb. 10 meeting the Select Board reviewed a draft letter responding to an Aug. 28 communication from the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAM) about the former MCI wastewater treatment facility. Town staff presented the letter that had been discussed in executive session and asked the board for guidance on whether to include a town-meeting article seeking funds for due diligence work.
Board members discussed potential funding sources—ARPA reserves, a sewer-improvement fund and free cash—and whether signaling an article now would be appropriate. After discussion the board amended the letter’s closing sentence to say the Select Board is considering a 2025 town-meeting article to appropriate funding for further due diligence regarding the facility and negotiation of a land disposition agreement. The board then approved the edited letter and directed staff to transmit it to DCAM.
Town staff and board members said they expect additional planning work, consultant contracts and multiyear negotiations; some board members advocated setting a placeholder article on the warrant to preserve funding flexibility if the planning timeline accelerates.
Ending: The Select Board voted to send the revised letter and signaled its intent to seek town-meeting authorization to appropriate funds for further due diligence; staff will draft a placeholder warrant article and return with additional details as needed prior to the town warrant deadline.
