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 transfer from the reserve fund, personnel appointments, committee membership changes and a construction change order. Where the transcript recorded votes, the minutes show the motions were seconded and recorded on the audio as "Aye. Aye." (recorded as two affirmative voices on the meeting audio).

- Warrants: The selectmen voted to approve payroll warrant No. 15 for $347,314.24; school warrant No. 1052 for $121,432.26; general warrant No. 1053 for $314,751.13; Downtown Development warrant No. 1054 for $241,038.15; CDBG NB21-1055 for $23,231.94; and fire/highway warrant No. 1057 for $12,790.96. (Motion, second; vote recorded on the audio as "Aye. Aye.")

- Spending requests and transfers: The board approved a $1,688 spending request (pre-stamped window envelopes) and a transfer from the reserve fund for $967.25 to reimburse postage stamps purchased by town staff. Meeting audio records the votes as affirmative.

- Diesel fuel agreement: The selectmen authorized signing a diesel fuel contract that had been discussed in June but left unsigned at the time; the motion carried with affirmative votes.

- Appointment: John Mitchell was appointed foreman of the Highway Department to provide on-site supervision when the superintendent is absent; the motion to appoint Mitchell passed with affirmative votes.

- Committee resignations and membership changes: The board accepted the resignations of Eric Heavey and Paul J. Benoit from the Fire Highway Building Renovation Committee and voted to elevate Pete Orsi from alternate to full member of that committee. The board also approved a formal letter of commitment supporting a historic-preservation planning grant application (DLTA/CMRPC) to be sent to Trish Settles.

- EMS and library appointments: The board appointed a selectman (Schlage) as the town's representative to the Central Massachusetts EMS Corp and approved Leah Riley as director of the Hastings Free Public Library, with the trustees and interim staff introduced during the meeting.

- Construction change order: The selectmen approved Change Order No. 2 for the Mount Pleasant Street project, a net increase of $26,572.06 attributed to hydrant relocation, unsuitable trench material, expanded trench patching and added police detail costs. The chair noted sufficient grant funds are available to cover the overrun and the motion carried on an affirmative vote.

Budget, override and options discussed

The chair and several speakers emphasized the gap between town revenues, household incomes and growing capital and operating costs. The chair said the sewer project had been estimated previously at $13 million before escalating to about $23 million and that interim interest costs are appearing on current tax bills because of borrowing. A member of the public asked whether grants were available for the sewer work; the chair and a staff speaker said the town had obtained approximately $10 million in grant funding and was using USDA interim financing for the remainder.

Residents and selectmen discussed an override proposal that, according to one exchange in the meeting, included a school-related request of roughly $4,000,000 spread over three years in one scenario mentioned to the board. A number of residents said they did not believe households on fixed or low incomes could afford a tax override. Selectmen acknowledged that overrides have been failing in other municipalities and that some service reductions would be required if new revenue were not approved, but the board did not adopt a plan B during this meeting.

Staffing and operations

Ethan (recycling/transportation manager) presented a proposal to combine the recycling center manager and the Board of Health clerk positions into a single benefited position to improve recruitment and operational continuity. The proposal would increase budgeted personnel costs for that combined position; the selectmen asked for two weeks to review detailed numbers with finance staff before making a decision.

Other notes

- The board acknowledged volunteers who decorated and removed seasonal town decorations and recognized the work of library trustees and interim staff in supporting the transition to a new library director.

The meeting concluded after the board completed routine business and appointments. Several members of the public urged the selectmen to prioritize school cost containment and to engage state and federal representatives about relief and grant opportunities.