Council covers wastewater shortfall; asks staff for accounting of sewer‑fee increases

The Warren Town Council authorized a transfer of $31,065 from general‑fund reserves to cover a wastewater operations shortfall and directed finance staff to report back with figures showing how the recently adopted increase in the town’s sewage usage fee will restore reserves and cover future utility costs.

Finance director David Burlingame told the council that utility charges for wastewater operations are billed after usage and that the department had already requested and received a supplemental appropriation earlier. “This month’s bills leave us with an additional shortfall of $31,065,” Burlingame reported; the council approved covering the deficit from the general fund so the plant can pay current invoices.

Council members asked for a detailed accounting showing the cumulative effect of the current shortfall and subsequent utility bills, and how next fiscal year’s sewage‑usage fee increase will offset the withdrawals from the general fund. Councilor Trombley requested the finance office provide dollar amounts for the remainder of the fiscal year so members can see whether the fee increase will eliminate a structural deficit going forward.

The council approved the transfer by voice vote. The finance director agreed to return with a breakdown of anticipated additional encumbrances and to show how increased sewer fees for the coming fiscal year will reimburse the general fund.