Waverly board moves $30,000 to shore up water and sewer operations, tables a vendor contract

The Waverly board authorized a transfer of $30,000 from contingency/general funds to the water and sewer budget to meet payroll, pay electrical bills and cover other near-term costs for utility operations.

Supervisor Ernie explained the town faces aging water and wastewater infrastructure and that the transfer would bridge the district to fall fee collections: "To get us through the rest of the year, I anticipate there's gonna be $28,605 in payroll," he said, and outlined expected electrical and materials costs. The board voted unanimously to approve the transfer and directed staff to track repayments when fall fee revenues arrive.

The board also reviewed two vendor contracts for wastewater and engineering services. One contract (Tisdale Associates) was tabled until attorney-recommended indemnification and liability language are added. The board instructed staff to work with legal counsel before finalizing vendor terms.

Supervisor and residents emphasized the long-term scale of needed work: the water and wastewater systems will likely require multi-million-dollar construction grants and planning grants are the immediate step. Board members said they will pursue planning grants but noted the town's annual financial reports must be brought current before large construction grants are feasible.

Next steps: staff will implement the $30,000 transfer, provide a detailed repayment plan tied to fall fee collections, and return with revised vendor contracts that include attorney-recommended changes.