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Somerset Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners approves FY2027 budgets and $17,000 change order
Summary
On May 20, 2026, the Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners approved the town’s FY2027 water budget of $4,610,314 and sewer budget of $4,554,465, and authorized a $17,000 change order for slip‑lining at the Owen Avenue pump station to maintain forced‑main velocity.
The Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of Somerset approved FY2027 operating budgets for the town’s water and sewer departments and authorized a $17,000 change order for a pump‑station repair at its May 20, 2026 meeting.
Superintendent Christopher Wickman presented the budgets as submitted to Town Hall, noting placeholders for an estimated 10% increase in insurance costs. He said the Water Department budget rose 4.9% from last year and the Sewer Department budget increased 8.25% to reflect higher wages, insurance, chemicals, retirement, sludge disposal and debt service. "It was good to see milestones being met," Wickman said when reviewing ongoing projects and budget drivers.
Vice‑Chairman Joseph Bednarik moved to approve the Water Department’s FY2027 budget of $4,610,314; Clerk Robert E. Lima seconded. The motion passed unanimously: Bednarik — aye; Lima — aye; Chairman Steven Cadorette — aye. The Board then approved the Sewer Department budget of $4,554,465 on a unanimous roll‑call vote. Those approvals followed discussion of cost drivers and the town’s capital plan.
On infrastructure work, the Board authorized Change Order No. 3 with Biszko Building Systems to install a 2‑inch HDPE slip lining at the Owen Avenue pump station for $17,000. Superintendent Wickman explained that records had suggested a 2‑inch forced main leaving the original pump station, but the contractor discovered a 6‑inch main with a 2‑inch connection plumbed into it. The change order will push a new 2‑inch liner through the existing 6‑inch pipe to preserve velocity and avoid full excavation. The motion to approve and sign the change order was seconded and carried unanimously.
Procedural motions earlier in the meeting moved minutes and agenda items: the Board waived reading and approved the April 22 minutes, tabled April 30 and May 8 minutes, and agreed to take "Old and Routine Business" ahead of New Business. Vice‑Chairman Bednarik led those motions; Clerk Lima was absent for the earliest votes but participated in later budget votes.
Clerk Lima also asked whether members had submitted comments on Wright‑Pierce’s final regionalization study report so they could be consolidated. The Board voted to enter executive session under M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(7) and § 21(a)(2) to approve executive‑session minutes and to conduct strategy sessions related to nonunion personnel negotiations for the Superintendent; the meeting was adjourned in executive session.
The Board is expected to provide any further budget or project updates at its next regular meeting.
