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Wastewater chief warns of heavy inflow, asks board to approve staffing and capital increases
Summary
Carrie, the wastewater operator, presented the water/sewer budget, warned of excess inflow that raises treatment costs and risk during storms, and requested funding for a third full-time operator plus capital maintenance and equipment.
Carrie (presenting for the wastewater department) walked the Select Board through the proposed FY2026 water and sewer budget, highlighting an 18.75% proposed increase in the sewer administration salary line and a request to increase staffing from about 2.5 positions to three full-time operators based on state corrective-action recommendations.
She warned the plant is receiving excess inflow — "So that 7.660 is 7,000,000, and that is what we put to the plant for the last month" — and said high inflow forces increased chemical use and could 'wash the plant out' during storms. Carrie described capital needs including a diesel generator with a transfer switch (noted at roughly $30,000 for the transfer switch) and valves and blower maintenance; she also proposed a modest increase in repair, testing and contingency lines. The board agreed to several line adjustments (for example machinery/equipment and repair reserves) and asked staff to refine cost estimates and return with final numbers for a vote.
