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Town manager details water project delays, expected billing timetable and staffing concerns
Summary
Town manager Eric Duffy reported the Elm Street pipe project was delayed for an environmental assessment tied to a $900,000 grant, water bills are now expected in early April, and fire/EMS salary lines are likely to end the year about $100,000 over budget, driving staffing and budgeting attention.
Town Manager Eric Duffy told the Select Board the Elm Street pipe project has been pushed back approximately six months after the town accepted a $900,000 federal grant that requires an environmental assessment. "With that grant, it's federal money, so there's an extra requirement that goes along with using the grant, and one of them is an environmental assessment," Duffy said.
Duffy said vendor selection for a new well and the pipeline to the recreation center is underway and that staff aim to begin interviews with vendors within two weeks. He acknowledged the town had not yet mailed water bills and said bills are likely to go out in the first week of April as staff complete reads and try to ensure accurate metering.
On finances, Duffy said the town is updating monthly financial reports online and that, outside of timing issues tied to billing recognition, revenue expectations are generally being met. He flagged ambulance and fire/EMS staffing as ongoing concerns: staffing shortages and overtime have driven projections that the fire/EMS salary lines could be roughly $100,000 over budget by year-end, though he said staff are working to manage other account lines to balance the result.
Select Board members asked for continued updates on bill mailings, the new rate schedule and the sequence for vendor contracting; Duffy said he would post public office hours and further information on the town website.
