Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wastewater superintendent outlines staffing needs and B2 sewer expansion debt
Summary
Wastewater Superintendent Michael Alberice asked to reclassify a second operator position to recruit staff, discussed FY27 budget increases, and outlined debt for plant expansion and B2 sewer lines with planned transfers and ARPA reimbursement.
Wastewater Superintendent Michael Alberice told FinCom that pay and staffing changes—driven by a new union contract and a reclassification from Grade 2 to Grade 4 for a second operator—were central to the FY27 wastewater budget. He said he "hoped to hire a second operator in the next couple weeks to relieve his unsustainable 24/7 single operator status." The department discussed mutual-aid arrangements with other Island operators but said liability and pay issues limited that option.
Alberice outlined debt obligations tied to the plant expansion and the B2 district sewer lines (debt cited at $587,000, about 15% down from last year) and said the Department would request a $482,000 transfer from the General Fund; $240,000 of that would be reimbursed through an ARPA grant. He cautioned that downtown users would get little direct benefit from the B2 expansion and argued the Town general fund should not be fully funded by downtown rates alone.
