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Millis approves contracts for lead/copper compliance and PFAS carbon replacement; town cites recent PFAS settlement
Summary
The Select Board authorized a three-year contract with Kleinfelder for lead and copper rule compliance (phase 2) and a three-year contract for granular activated carbon replacement with Calgon Carbon; officials noted PFAS settlement funds will help offset treatment costs.
The Millis Select Board on June 9 approved two multi-year contracts to advance water quality compliance and PFAS treatment, and board members said recent legal settlements will help the town manage treatment costs.
The board voted to approve a three-year contract with Kleinfelder Northeast Inc. for lead and copper rule compliance assistant services, phase 2, for a not-to-exceed amount of $187,000. The Select Board packet and the director of public works described the state lead and copper requirements as an "unfunded mandate" requiring town follow-up, homeowner meter-area verification and system testing. The town administrator said Kleinfelder had performed phases one and had already filed necessary applications.
The board also authorized a three-year contract with Calgon Carbon Corporation for granular activated carbon (GAC) replacement services, not to exceed $195,400. The DPW director explained the contract covers media inside treatment canisters used for PFAS removal at the town's three wells; the replacement approach is intended to let the town rotate media without shutting wells for extended periods. "We definitely have the funds, but the finance director is looking at different ways that will best suit to get this paid for," the DPW director said.
Earlier in the meeting Select Board members were told the town recently received the first payment from a class-action settlement involving PFAS manufacturers. A board member said Millis received "a little over $300,000" from the settlement and that additional payments are expected in the future; town officials said the funds could help offset PFAS filtration costs for water ratepayers.
Both motions passed unanimously. Town officials said the lead-and-copper contract funding was already appropriated at the May 7, 2024 annual town meeting (Article 10) and that the GAC contract would be managed in coordination with the finance director.
Ending: Officials said they will track expenditures against potential settlement proceeds and grants, and the departments will return with updates on the implementation timeline for replacement media and household outreach for lead-and-copper testing.
