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Advisory finance committee backs $145,000 water budget adjustment to cover electricity and contract operator
Summary
The committee recommended Town Meeting approve $145,000 from water enterprise funds to cover higher electricity costs and a temporary licensed operator after a recent departure; vote was 8–0 in favor.
The Westborough Advisory Finance Committee on Sept. 23 recommended that Town Meeting raise and appropriate or transfer $145,000 from available water enterprise funds to cover higher electricity costs and a temporary contract operator in fiscal 2025.
Chris Payant, the town's DPW director, told the committee the request reflects two drivers: electricity spending that ran well above last year’s budget and the need to hire a licensed distribution operator while a full-time water operator position is vacant. “We budgeted $474,000 for last year and we expended $550,000,” Payant said, adding that the FY25 budget was set at $480,000 and current monthly electricity averages are about $48,000. He said the department seeks roughly $95,000 to cover electricity and about $50,000 for a contract operator, for a total request of $145,000.
Committee members sought clarification about where the money would come from and whether the town’s taxpayers would be affected. Payant said the water and sewer funds are enterprise accounts funded by ratepayers, not general-tax dollars, and that “we're bringing in more money than we originally budgeted” so there are available funds in the water enterprise account. Members also asked whether temporary hires could convert to permanent employees; Payant said the contracted operator would be temporary while the town completes its hiring process and noted licensing requirements limit who can fill the role.
McMahon moved and Bradley seconded the committee recommendation that Town Meeting approve the raise-and-appropriate or transfer; the committee recorded a roll-call vote with eight members voting in favor and none opposed. The committee report will go forward to Town Meeting with the recommended $145,000 adjustment.
The committee asked DPW to provide supporting usage and cost-trend data for electricity and to supply an updated staffing/timeline estimate for hiring a permanent distribution operator ahead of Town Meeting.
