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Millis officials present $1.29 million water‑meter replacement proposal; borrowing requires two‑thirds vote
Summary
Article 9 would authorize $1,286,633 in borrowing to replace town water meters with a fixed‑network system. Officials say the upgrade will improve billing accuracy, speed leak detection and provide better water‑loss data; the debt would be repaid from water enterprise revenues and requires a two‑thirds Town Meeting vote.
At the Fincom pre‑Town Meeting on April 29, the committee reviewed Article 9, a borrowing authorization to fund a townwide water meter replacement program.
Eric Martinson described the $1,286,633 request as the largest item in the capital plan. He said many existing meters are past service life, producing inaccurate or estimated reads, and that the proposed fixed‑network system—three antennas placed around town—would automatically read every meter multiple times daily, producing more accurate bills, faster leak detection, and improved data for the Department of Public Works.
Martinson noted two important fiscal points: the project will be paid for through the water enterprise (ratepayers), not property taxes, and because it is a borrowing authorization it requires a two‑thirds vote at Town Meeting.
No formal Town Meeting vote took place during the rehearsal; Fincom explained technical details and recommended approval in prior committee action. If approved by voters, town staff expect installation to take about one to one‑and‑a‑half years and said the DPW will select a contractor under the town’s procurement rules.
Next steps: voters will decide the borrowing at Town Meeting; if approved, DPW will manage procurement and installation.
