The board is considering a substantial investment in new water sources to secure the town’s water supply. One primary focus is the development of a well in Kings, which could cost up to $5 million. However, there is significant apprehension about the feasibility of this plan, as it may face opposition at various approval stages and could take considerable time to implement. The challenges of securing land from Shirley for this project were also discussed, alongside the risks of relying on interconnections with other towns for an alternate water supply. Concerns were voiced over the potential for being cut off during water shortages.

Another topic was the state mandate requiring Lunenburg to address its water supply issues. The possibility of building a pipeline to another town was discussed as the most expensive solution, with the acknowledgement that the final decision may be dictated by the state. Board members stressed the importance of resident involvement in the decision-making process, with one suggesting, “Why don’t we meet with whoever we can with residents we open this up to the residents to say listen how do you we’ve come up with some ideas how do you want to move forward then once we have somewhat of an idea of what our residents want to do to move forward then we can touch base with time Bond and say okay give us a quote for talking to other towns our residents want this this and this for options.”

In an effort to mitigate these concerns, the board discussed the need for a hydraulic model of their system, the importance of securing P-fast treatment at the Lancaster AV well, and the challenges of maintaining well operations during the summer months. Additionally, the board considered proposing only the Hickory Hills project to the public as a way to cut costs significantly. However, the need for formal withdrawal or extension of the Integrated Water Management Plan (IUP) was debated, along with the need to present a plan to the public for their feedback.

On the financial front, the board voted on a proposal from Capital Strategic Solutions for Support Services, which outlined a maximum expenditure of $112,000 for as-needed services. The board approved an initial allocation of $6,000 from the maintenance budget to retain these services, with the chairman authorized to sign the proposal on behalf of the board.

The Massab water main replacement project also reached a critical juncture. Board deliberations led to downsizing the project to stay within budget constraints, with a revised agreement on scope and cost with the contractor. The goal is to complete the project before winter sets in. Moreover, the board agreed to terminate the involvement of Stantech, the current project manager, post completion of the ongoing project due to communication and responsiveness issues.

The board acknowledged the community’s disagreement with the proposed plans and expressed a willingness to work collaboratively with residents and committees to address their concerns. A decision was made to prioritize the completion of a pilot test for one of the water sources to gather factual data before applying for funding.

Further discussions included the implementation of a new line item for a project, with the first bill expected to be issued on October 1st. Public communication strategies, such as contacting schools and sending out flyers, were also considered. Additionally, the board reviewed changes to the Water District’s rules and regulations, particularly regarding water restrictions and fines for non-compliance. While the structure of the fines was debated, the board decided to investigate how other communities handle such fines before making a final decision.

Lastly, the board addressed a public records request, which was set aside in favor of more matters. Potential changes to zoning regulations concerning the water supply were also discussed, with a plan to meet with the planning board to further deliberate on the proposed changes. Updates on pilot studies in Lancaster and Stow were provided before the meeting was adjourned.