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Board debates recurring sewer‑flushing expense as lines age
Summary
Staff told the board that recurring sewer flushing has driven recent budget increases; the town spent about $15,000 for a full-day flush and has seen 'other purchased services' spike in prior years to $24–26k, prompting calls to separate flushing into its own line item and to bid more robust root-removal services.
A recurring theme in the sewer-budget review was whether to keep sewer flushing rolled into a general account or to create a dedicated line item and to budget more for root-removal services.
Gary noted that a single full-day flush cost the town approximately $15,000 and that they expect to need additional flushes at problem hotspots throughout the year. “That 15,000 was just for a 1 to 1 flushing,” Gary said, adding that the town has historically budgeted as much as $24,000–$26,000 for these services in earlier fiscal years. Board members discussed whether to show flushing as a separate, recurring line so the expense is visible and predictable in future budgets.
Several members urged putting the work to bid, not only for flushing but for root grinding and lining where practical, to get a clearer long‑term cost picture. The board settled on keeping $15,000 in the current budget for flushing while directing staff to produce more precise estimates and a plan tied to the capital‑improvement discussion.
