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Woodstock approves $1 million lead‑service‑line replacement plan with SRF loan authority
Summary
Voters approved Article 2 authorizing up to $950,000 in SRF borrowing (with $50,000 from the water capital reserve) for lead‑service identification and replacement; clerks reported a 72–3 ballot result, surpassing the three‑fifths threshold for the loan vote.
Woodstock voters approved a warrant article to fund lead‑service‑line replacement work, authorizing the Select Board to withdraw $50,000 from the water department capital reserve and to borrow up to $950,000 through the state SRF program.
Town officials told the meeting the funding would pay for service‑line identification work (including potholing), staff time, consultants and replacement of lead service lines. Officials said the SRF loan for this program carries generous principal forgiveness — roughly 70% — making the option attractive to the town if significant replacement is required.
Resident questions focused on how previously‑authorized funds were spent and whether the town had already used earlier appropriations. A resident asked how much of last year’s $1,000,000 authorization remained; a town official replied the prior appropriation had not been spent, that a $30,000 grant was secured to identify problematic lines, and that the town is pursuing the SRF option now because the program will close soon.
The article was decided by ballot; after the clerks tabulated ballots the moderator announced the result as 72 in favor and 3 opposed, exceeding the three‑fifths threshold required for the loan authorization. The Select Board and the budget committee had recommended the appropriation and the borrowing authority.
Next steps: with voter authorization in hand, the Select Board may apply for SRF funds and pursue any grants or loan‑forgiveness options as allowed by the program’s rules.
