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Advisory backs $12.8 million water budget as members warn PFAS cleanup could push rates ~20%
Summary
The Advisory Committee recommended favorable action, 12–0, on a $12,788,961 Water Enterprise Fund appropriation; discussion emphasized PFAS contamination in local wells, increased MWRA purchases and a possible roughly 20% rate increase to cover mitigation costs.
The Advisory Committee on March 4 recommended favorable action, 12–0, on Article 11, the Board of Public Works’ proposed $12,788,961 appropriation to the Water Enterprise Fund to support operations and PFAS mitigation work.
Members said PFAS contamination in certain local wells is a central driver of the budget, forcing the town to supplement supply with more expensive water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). "Residents should expect a potential water rate increase of around 20%," one committee member noted during the discussion, characterizing the scale of likely rate adjustments tied to treatment and supply costs.
Committee members praised DPW leadership for pursuing cost-efficient options and exploring collaboration with neighboring communities. They also noted $186,000 in retained water-enterprise earnings would be returned to Free Cash, including settlement receipts related to PFAS that are small compared with expected remediation costs.
The Advisory recommended favorable action unanimously, 12–0. The recommendation goes to Town Meeting for final action; any rate changes would be set through the Water Enterprise Fund’s rate-setting process and not by Advisory directly.
