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Bristol delays May water-and-sewer rate increase, approves SRF payouts and $281,677 change order
Summary
At its April 16 meeting, the Bristol Town Council advanced an ordinance to delay May 1 utility rate increases to Aug. 1, 2026, approved multiple SRF payments tied to the Elcar Street water project, and authorized a $281,677 change order to cover river crossing and wellfield security work.
Bristol — The Town Council on April 16 moved to delay a scheduled water and sewer rate increase and approved several payments tied to the town's State Revolving Fund (SRF) projects, including a $281,677 change order on the water main work.
Town Manager Mike Giller told the council the agenda included multiple SRF payouts connected to the Elcar Street water project, including an Elcar Street payout No. 3 for $182,995.18 and SRF payment application No. 56 to Niblock Excavating for $74,917. Other smaller SRF payments and a $43,850 JPR Engineering invoice were also presented. "Several large invoices to pay," Giller said, noting the SRF program will reimburse the town at project close. Council motions to pay the listed applications passed as recorded.
Giller also outlined Change Order No. 5 on the water project — an increase of $281,677 — attributing the cost rise to a river crossing, added security tanks around the south wellfield and work to secure an access point. "This is on the water project...most of this is for Niblock," Giller said, describing the scope of the additional work. Council voted to approve the change order.
On a related equipment matter, Giller requested authority to spend up to $55,000 to replace a town utility truck damaged in an accident. He said the town expects partial insurance reimbursement and had quotes for new and used trucks. The motion to allow the manager to spend up to $55,000 passed 3–1 (Doug Smith yes; Greg Dolski yes; Jeff Beich yes; Kathy Burke no).
Separately, Legal Counsel Alex Bowman briefed the council on the statutory process for delaying the previously scheduled May 1 rate increase, describing a sequence of ordinance introduction, public notice, a 10-day waiting period and a public hearing before final action. Bowman said the town's municipal advisor, Baker Tilly, is reviewing the numbers and that staff could prepare an ordinance to reset the effective date. "We would be effectively be amending the sewer rate ordinance by delaying those rates," Bowman said.
Bowman then introduced Ordinance No. 5-7-20226-12, which replaces references to May 1, 2026 with August 1, 2026 in the town code. The council voted to advance the ordinance to a second reading and to publish notice for a May 7 public hearing and consideration.
What happens next: The council advanced the ordinance to a second reading and staff will publish notice and present the ordinance again at the May 7 meeting. SRF payouts and the change order will be administered under existing project procedures.
