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Selectmen hear PFAS costs driving budget pressure; testing results expected
Summary
At a Board of Selectmen meeting, finance staff said PFAS water-treatment work and seasonal highway invoices are key budget uncertainties; three GAC units have been replaced and replacements cost about $3,000–$4,500 each, with new testing results expected in the coming week.
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen, finance staff reported the town’s projected shortfall may be slightly less than previously estimated but remains uncertain because of pending seasonal and highway invoices and water-treatment (PFAS) costs.
Gina, who gave the budget overview, said the town is ‘‘waiting on some high … park and rec expenses’’ and highway department invoices before finalizing the year-to-date picture. On PFAS treatment, she said three granular activated carbon (GAC) units have been replaced and described replacement costs as ‘‘about $3,000 to $4,500 dollars per unit.’’ She added the latest round of PFAS testing had been delayed and that results were expected "either this week or next week."
Board members pressed for detail on the scope and timing of those costs; Gina said the town had signed multiple checks for PFAS work already and that some systems showed breakthrough requiring replacements. On legal fees, Gina noted outside counsel invoicing is often late and current invoices have not shown a problematic overage yet.
The board did not take formal action on the budget projection at the meeting. Members said they would await the incoming invoices and testing results before making definitive budget adjustments.
Looking ahead, the administration will share updated testing results and invoice totals when they arrive; the board signaled it may reconvene to review budget impacts once those figures are available.
