Westerly council accepts finance board recommendation on water, sewer and transfer‑station budgets

The Westerly Town Council voted May 4 to accept the finance board’s recommendation and forward the manager’s proposed budgets for the water, sewer and transfer‑station enterprise funds for final processing. The finance‑board representative told the council the budgets were presented as legally required balanced budgets and that independent auditors had also reviewed them.

Councilors used the hearing to press staff on long‑term water needs and project contingencies. The finance board urged the town to start studies and site examinations now to avoid a future rush to find new wells: “the town is gonna need future new wells…that process can be very extensive and take a long time,” the board representative said. Town manager Sean confirmed federal grant funding and 0% infrastructure loans will cover much of current lead‑line replacement work; he told the council roughly $1.8 million in federal funding is in hand for an initial tranche.

A member of the public asked about contingency provisions for an $85 million sewer‑plant upgrade project; councilors and staff discussed contract‑level protections and contingency figures mentioned during the meeting. The manager indicated the construction contract includes guaranteed‑not‑to‑exceed language and that millions are budgeted for contingencies; the consultant/manager referenced a contingency figure of about $4.546 million during the discussion.

After discussion the council moved, seconded and approved the finance board’s recommendation by voice vote. The finance board then adjourned its joint session with the council. The council did not change the mill rate; members noted sewer rate adjustments were absorbed without raising the town mill rate for the fiscal year under review.

Next steps: the budgets will proceed under statutory review and the town manager will return with further details on proposed water‑system studies and any required capital authorizations.