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Middleton finance committee flags DPW snow-and-ice shortfall, weighs state funding losses tied to MBTA compliance
Summary
At its Feb. 18 meeting the Middleton Finance Committee reviewed DPW budget changes — including new bulk and mattress stickers — and heard that the snow-and-ice account is about $19,000 in deficit; officials also discussed potential lost Chapter 90 and grant funding tied to MBTA Communities non-compliance.
The Middleton Finance Committee on Feb. 18 reviewed the Department of Public Works budget and heard officials warn of a growing shortfall in the snow-and-ice account and possible lost state grants tied to MBTA Communities non-compliance.
"The fees would remain the same for FY27," Finance Director Sarah Wood said when asked about transfer station sticker fees, but DPW Superintendent Paul Goodwin said the town plans changes to bulk stickers and creation of a separate mattress-disposal sticker. Goodwin said those changes will be discussed at the final Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting and then forwarded to the Select Board for a vote.
Goodwin walked the committee through DPW Administration line items, noting that salaries and wages were increased per contracts and that fuel was removed where heat is no longer required for the Cemetery. He said several office-supply and other costs were reduced because the DPW will be the only department remaining in its building and that stone sealing was moved to a capital overlay with a corresponding reduction.
On the snow-and-ice account, "it is in a deficit of approximately $19,000," Wood told the committee after Co-Chair Richard S. Gregorio asked about the status. Goodwin added there are "several large invoices outstanding" and that the forecasted snow could increase the deficit.
Committee members also heard that transfer station contractual hauling costs have risen, monitoring wells testing was increased to accommodate additional PFAS testing, and recycling revenue has declined with current market conditions. Wood said the Water Enterprise Fund is largely level-funded for FY27 except for field watering and indirect-cost adjustments.
The committee spent a substantial portion of the discussion on Chapter 90 highway funding and an apparent risk tied to Middleton’s MBTA Communities non-compliance. Co-Chair John Erickson asked that the planned Chapter 90 capital allocation be restored to $150,000.
When Erickson asked how much the town has lost or may lose because of non-compliance, Wood replied that "the only known items to her" were a $2.2 million MassWorks grant for Route 114, $138,000 for a COA van, and potential public-safety grants. Kosta Prentakis added that a school curriculum reimbursement was issued to neighboring towns but not Middleton at an estimated cost of $225,000. Wood said Town Administration may hold additional detail and that committee members should track these items for future reference.
The Finance Committee did not take a formal vote on these items during the meeting; DPW sticker changes are expected to return after Solid Waste Advisory Committee review and any formal actions would go to the Select Board. The committee adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
