The session featured detailed deliberations on the necessity and financial feasibility of the proposed water treatment plan, as well as its potential impact on water rates for residents. Concerns were raised about the cost and necessity of the plan, with some residents and members of the Lunenburg Citizens for Affordable Clean Water questioning the need for such an expensive project and arguing that the town already meets redundancy requirements for water supply as per the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. They advocated for more cost-effective options and called for a more transparent and fiscally responsible approach to achieving clean water.

The water district’s presentation highlighted that all three main water supplies did not meet the new regulatory criteria for PFAS and PFOA, emphasizing the health risks associated with these known carcinogens that bioaccumulate in the body. The board was presented with various treatment options, including a centralized treatment plant at Lancaster A to treat both Lancaster and Hickory Hills wells, with a standalone plant at the King site to maintain resiliency. They also discussed the limitations on water withdrawal based on water management act permits and the need for long-term planning to address the increasing demand for water in the community.

The financial aspect of the project was a point of discussion. The board considered obtaining State Revolving Fund (SRF) low-interest loan funding for the combined treatment plan, with a letter from Mass DP indicating approval for the addition of the Lancaster AB Wells to the funding and 0% financing. However, the exact nature of the approval and the need for reapplication were debated. The potential increase in water rates was discussed, as well as the calculation of a bond loan and the possibility of extending the term to 30 years.

During the meeting, there was also a conversation about the status of a pilot project for heating, funded by ARPA money, which is set to begin in two weeks, with plans to submit a project filing (PF) for heating in 2025. The cost numbers associated with an SRF loan of $14.9 million were debated, including the term of the loan and the potential impact on the construction timeline.

Members of the board expressed concerns about the lack of information on alternative water sources and the potential costs to water customers. There was uncertainty about the necessity of the proposed plan, particularly in relation to the treatment of the Lancaster AB well, which had been inactive for over a decade and might not require treatment based on available data. The lack of detailed operational costs and the uncertainty surrounding the total cost to water users were also issues.

The discussion on the proposed plan revealed a divide between those supporting the plan as presented by the Water District and those seeking further vetting and consideration of cost implications for residents. The Board ultimately voted to not endorse the Water District’s plan, with one member motioning for the Board to not make a recommendation either way, due to the information being in flux and the presence of unanswered questions. Another member criticized this motion as an “abrogation of responsibility.”

Other topics discussed at the meeting included the need for new Board of Health members following a recent resignation, concerns about the funding and management of the town’s cemeteries, and updates from the Board of Assessors on property inspections and the formation of a subcommittee.