North Brookfield selectmen discuss possible override as sewer upgrade, staffing and project costs mount

The Town of North Brookfield Board of Selectmen heard an extended budget overview Wednesday that centered on whether the selectmen should place a property tax override on a future warrant and explained rising town costs tied to a federally- and state-mandated sewer upgrade.

The board chair, speaking during the public discussion of an override, said the town faces a sewer upgrade estimated at $23,000,000, that the town had secured approximately $10,000,000 in grant funds and that interim financing was being provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture at about 2.125 percent. The chair said an override "can only be initiated by the board of selectmen" and added, "as the chairman of the board, I won't be entertaining any discussion on an override." The chair also cited local income figures — an average individual income of $32,378 and a median household income of $81,010 — and said many residents are on fixed incomes.

Why it matters: The sewer upgrade and other rising costs are already reflected in tax bills and interim financing interest, the meeting showed, and the selectmen control whether a townwide override would be submitted to voters. An override would affect the town's operating budget and potentially household tax bills; the board flagged the trade-offs while receiving public comment urging caution.

Board action and votes

During the meeting, the board approved multiple routine and substantive items including payroll and vendor warrants, a limited…