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Finance committee reviews DPW budget as water/sewer rates and infrastructure needs rise
Summary
The finance committee reviewed the DPW FY2027 budget, highlighting a 2.5% salary increase, higher MWRA assessments driving an estimated 4% rate increase, a townwide water‑meter replacement planned for mid‑June, and an EPA‑mandated lead service‑line inventory due next year.
The finance committee met to review the Department of Public Works' proposed FY2027 budget and heard officials warn of growing pressure on water and sewer finances from external assessments and aging infrastructure. Chair Bob Vanderlice confirmed a quorum and turned the meeting to Melanie, the committee liaison, who introduced the budget overview.
Zach Taylor, DPW superintendent, said the budget reflects a 2.5% wage increase across collective bargaining units and modest utility and operating cost increases. “We are within or below a 2.5% increase generally,” Zach said, describing a three‑fund structure: a general fund and two enterprise funds for water/sewer and rubbish.
Allison (staff member) told the committee the town estimates an average FY27 water/sewer rate increase of about 4%, driven largely by the MWRA assessment. “A lot of that is driven by the MWRA assessment,” Allison said, and she urged continued efforts to find leaks and reduce system loss to improve future assessments.
The committee received substantive updates on two large operational projects. Zach said the town will begin installing automatic/AMI water meters mid‑June after vendor selection. “Once we decide what hardware we’re going to use, we’ll put the installation out to bid,” he said, adding that customers would receive appointment time slots for installation and that secondary irrigation meters would be replaced as part of the project. The AMI system will provide customer portals and leak alerts to help residents track usage.
On lead service lines, Zach explained the EPA now requires inventories of water service lines and that the town’s inventories are due next year. “Identification is still ongoing and guidance on replacement, responsibility and funding will come after,” he said. Committee members noted grants and zero‑interest loans may cover homeowner costs for private‑side work, but responsibility and precise funding remain subject to forthcoming EPA guidance.
Discussion also flagged snow‑and‑ice costs: Zach noted FY2026 snow removal far exceeded typical annual spending and that state reimbursement is available only when a formal emergency declaration is made. Committee members asked whether collective bargaining assumptions (2.5% increases) are sustainable; Allison said she expects union requests and will renegotiate contracts this fall for FY28–30.
The meeting closed with procedural items and an adjournment motion. The committee requested follow‑up materials on comparative field‑use fees, enterprise fund retained earnings, and details of the water‑meter procurement schedule.
