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Hardwick approves FY27 water and sewer expense budgets, sets capital priorities
Summary
The Select Board adopted FY27 water and sewer expense budgets. The water budget rises 2.27% (~$7,700) and the sewer budget rises 3.86% (~$23,000), primarily to increase capital set‑asides for future projects and the town's FEMA share of wastewater repairs.
The Hardwick Select Board on June 4 approved the town’s FY27 water and sewer expense budgets. The water budget proposed a 2.27% increase (approximately $7,700) to cover items such as generator servicing, hydrant and line maintenance and a higher capital transfer. The sewer budget increased by 3.86% (about $23,000), largely driven by a larger capital fund transfer to cover the town’s share of FEMA‑funded wastewater repairs and ongoing plant maintenance.
Casey, the town’s finance/water‑sewer lead, walked the board through the capital plan and noted the town currently holds roughly $700,000 in capital reserves while identified projects add up to several million dollars over multi‑year projections. Casey said the capital plan is intended to build match capacity for grants and municipal borrowing (for example, waterline replacements and plant upgrades). Casey emphasized the town must balance rate impacts on users with the need to increase set‑asides to meet future obligations such as sludge removal and plant work.
Board members discussed priorities, funding sources (including Water Investment Division grants and low‑interest loans), and the possibility of aligning water‑line replacement with paving projects to improve efficiency. The motion to adopt the FY27 water and sewer expense budgets 'as presented' passed by voice vote (4 ayes). The board anticipates a fall meeting with a rate‑setting subgroup to set rates that will cover the approved expense budgets.
