The Water Sewer Commission approved several connection requests, accepted an abatement, authorized camera and jetting funds for Route 20 sewer work and discussed delegating limited emergency spending authority to operations staff.

On a motion and roll-call votes, the commission approved an abatement for account “5E” for Quarter 4 2024 billing (Cheryl presented the paperwork and the group voted aye). Commissioners then approved permission for 86 Berry Corner Road to tie into the water system provided connection fees are paid; the vote was recorded as aye by commissioners present. For a proposed connection on Old Whistler Road (Jay Du Bois), the commission granted preliminary approval pending sign-off by Southbridge water staff (Chris McClure) and payment of privilege fees.

Installation and system-capacity questions were discussed at length. Chris McClure (consultant/operator) and Steve Gregoire (Southbridge water operations) briefed the commission on distribution considerations such as pressure zones, reduced-pressure devices, booster pumps and the need to coordinate permits and inspections across Southbridge and Charlton. Steve told commissioners that under the existing intermunicipal agreement (IMA) Charlton can use up to 500,000 gallons of water per day; he noted current averages are roughly 150,000–250,000 gallons per day and that the system has capacity to grow but that some planned infrastructure (the large tank/augmentation) should be brought online to address residual and pressure issues.

The commission also authorized use of FY25 funds to perform camera inspection and jetting of the sewer run along Route 20 (the corridor with recurring backups). Commissioners moved to encumber up to the contract allocation (approximately $17,400 in the Veolia contract line item for cleaning/inspection) so the work can be scheduled before fiscal-year-end and continue into FY26 if needed. The motion carried on roll-call.

Commissioners discussed operational delegation for emergencies. Operations contractor Vinny asked what spending authority he should have for day-to-day residential tie-ins and for emergent repairs. Commissioners asked staff to draft a short delegation protocol; the group discussed a working threshold (example discussed: $10,000 per incident) and agreed staff will circulate a proposed written protocol for review at the next meeting.

Separately, Chris McClure reported progress on a vault hatch for a Route 20/Concord Road project (a cover and frame were fabricated, and the contractor will place it before final pavement). McClure also urged periodic cameraing and jetting because the line has not been inspected since 2023 and showed signs of recurring issues.

Ending: The commission approved the listed tie-ins and the abatement, instructed staff to encumber cleaning/inspection funds to allow work this summer, and asked Veolia/contract operations to produce a draft emergency spending and monthly reporting process for approval.