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Middlebury WPCA says shrinking surplus may force sewer rate increase
Summary
The Middlebury Water Pollution Control Authority reviewed a first-draft FY2026-27 budget on March 17 and was told rising costs and use of the undesignated fund have reduced the surplus; members said they will obtain an updated fund balance and revisit possible user-rate increases next month.
At its March 17 meeting, the Middlebury Water Pollution Control Authority heard that rising costs and continued reliance on the undesignated fund have reduced its surplus and could require higher sewer user rates.
Chairman Robert Smith reviewed the authority’s first-draft budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and said certain costs — notably medical coverage and workers’ compensation — have increased since the prior budget. He told members the commission has been using the undesignated fund to cover bills and that the surplus is declining; he said he will follow up to obtain the current balance and that the board will revisit the question of raising user rates at its next meeting.
The discussion did not produce a formal budget vote. The commission signed the routine monthly invoices during the meeting; the invoice endorsements were performed by Chairman Smith as part of the authority’s standard financial procedure.
Operations staff reported routine maintenance was proceeding normally. Brett Kales, a WPCA employee, said staff continue work on the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system and that day-to-day operations are "on track." The staff update did not include new cost estimates tied to the planned SCADA work.
Procedural actions recorded in the minutes included a motion by Chairman Robert Smith, seconded by Paul Phillips, to approve the minutes of the Feb. 17, 2026 meeting; the board approved the minutes unanimously. At 7:39 p.m., Anthony Mancini moved to adjourn, Paul Phillips seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. The minutes are submitted subject to approval.
Key financial details requested during the meeting — including the current balance of the undesignated fund and any modeled impact on user rates — were not specified in the transcript and are expected to be provided at a future meeting.
