Selectmen, budget committee raise lead-and-copper and water-line warrant article to $1 million for Woodstock repairs

Selectmen and the Budget Committee at a joint Woodstock meeting voted to increase the warrant article for water-line replacement and lead-and-copper improvements to $1,000,000 and to raise a related water capital reserve to cover emergency paving costs.

The revised warrant article covers replacement of water mains described in the meeting as running from the lower Woodstock top of North Station Road to just south of South Station Road and other lead-and-copper work. A Selectman said the item was originally proposed at $200,000, that outside consultants had asked for $2,000,000, and that the board agreed to increase the article to $1,000,000.

The motion to set the article at $1,000,000 was made and seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and the motion passed with all those present saying “Aye.” The Budget Committee also voted to accept the change to $1,000,000 by voice vote.

During discussion, committee members and selectmen said much of the cost could be reimbursable through a state program described in the meeting as a state fund (referred to in the transcript as a “South Carolina Fund”) and that up to 70% might be reimbursable “provided no laws change” or rates do not drop. A Selectman emphasized the town does not have to spend the full appropriation immediately and that the article would show as both an expense and an anticipated revenue (the town plans to bond the work). The board discussed timing for payments and noted there was no firm expectation that payments would begin in 2026.

Separately, selectmen proposed and approved raising the water department capital reserve by $50,000 to cover paving work related to a recent emergency water-main repair on Main Street. The motion to increase the capital-reserve water line by $50,000 was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Officials said the lead-and-copper work and water-line work have been the subject of prior conversations and grant attempts; speakers noted previous grant applications had not qualified and that some spreadsheet items used by external vendors appeared inaccurate and would be challenged. One Selectman asked to “lock in as much as we can now” because forgiveness rates and availability of state funds may change.

The board and committee did not provide a detailed project phasing schedule at the meeting. They also did not give a precise start date for construction; town members described reimbursement as “on the principle of what we use” and said the program’s terms could change.

The selectmen and budget committee additionally instructed staff to reflect the $1,000,000 figure in the town’s warrant documents and MS reporting used for the budget packet.