Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Water Sewer topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fair Haven board trims water reserve to $35,000 after budget debate
Summary
Selectboard members debated rising water and sewer costs, including a large jump in solids-disposal fees and 13 boil-water notices last year, and voted to reduce the water-reserve allocation from $40,000 to $35,000 as part of the FY budget.
The Fair Haven Selectboard voted to set the town’s water-reserve allocation at $35,000 as part of its water and sewer budgets ahead of the July 1 implementation date.
Manager and finance staff laid out the proposed budgets and warned that operating costs have risen, particularly for sewer solids disposal to the regional plant. “We had 13 boil water notices last year,” the manager said during the review, arguing that aging infrastructure drives repeat emergency repairs and that reserves are needed to avoid borrowing for frequent fixes. Board members also noted the 1% option tax will not immediately backfill operating shortfalls.
After more than an hour of discussion about reserve levels, salary and health-related line items, a motion to reduce the reserve from $40,000 to $35,000 carried with the ayes recorded. Supporters framed the change as a compromise to ease near-term rate pressure; opponents warned it leaves less cushion for unanticipated pipe replacements and recommended the town retain a stronger reserve balance.
The board expects to revisit rates at its next meeting and to receive the first receipts from the 1% option tax in November, staff said. The vote alters the budget line for reserves; other budget items remain as proposed.
