The Finance Committee received an update Jan. 8 on the town’s sewer and water enterprise funds and on regional work at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) that could affect future assessments for member communities.

Staff said the sewer enterprise budget showed an increase in salaries and wages of about 4.61 percent (approximately $56,000) with regular expenses up roughly $38,000; operating capital also rose by about $38,000 and the total sewer enterprise increase was reported at about $132,303. Staff noted the MWRA assessment is a variable component that is typically finalized after May town meeting and historically has been inserted into the warrant article based on the prior year’s assessment.

In a regional update, staff and a committee member discussed a planned MWRA redundant tunnel project — a multi‑mile tunneling effort that will include a major shaft near Needham — and said the project is large in scope. Committee members were also told that PFAS‑related regulatory work and other capital regulatory projects at MWRA are large costs that will ultimately be borne by member communities through future assessments.

Staff said the MWRA will present project updates to the Select Board later in January and hold a public meeting in early February as part of the regional outreach schedule. Committee members asked about possibility of earlier visibility into MWRA charges; staff said the town monitors large MWRA capital plans but does not receive final assessments until later in the budget cycle.