The meeting opened with a discussion about updates to the town’s sewer regulations. The board reviewed changes to specific articles, focusing on the determination of equivalent residential units and the allocation of betterment and connection fees based on bedroom counts. Importantly, they decided to shorten the town’s debt term from 30 years to 20 years. Despite the lack of public attendance, this decision was made to streamline future financial planning. The updated regulations are set to take effect during the next building cycle, although betterment fees will be effective immediately.

The conversation then shifted to the potential conversion of units within a property, with particular attention paid to their classification under Title 5 regulations. The property in question could potentially house 100 permanent units, with 45 already equipped with full kitchens. This raised significant questions about how to classify these units and the implications for sewage capacity. The board discussed a proposed development of 94 one-bedroom suites and the reclassification of 37 existing units, which would require a reassessment of their sewage output.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a proposal for a new laundromat on Electric Main Street, which would dramatically increase water demand. The project, involving 19 washing machines, could escalate water usage to 7,600 gallons per day. This change prompted concerns about the current sewer infrastructure’s ability to handle increased demand. Additionally, the potential use of a well for water supply raised issues related to historical contamination in the area.

Attention was also given to a construction project on Howland’s Lane, where a contractor proposed connecting a new sewer line to an existing manhole. This raised technical concerns about maintenance and accessibility, particularly with the proposed stainless steel drop connection. The board emphasized the necessity of obtaining a detailed sketch of the connection to ensure ongoing maintenance can be conducted without complications.

The topic of water supply was further explored with the lifting of a moratorium by the water commissioners. This development was welcomed, as it allows for increased collaboration between the water and planning departments to evaluate actual water demand. The lifting of the moratorium was seen as crucial, especially in light of potential developments such as a Costco project, the mall, and an MBTA overlay. However, there were concerns that current water demand allocations might not suffice for future needs, prompting a proposal for quarterly joint meetings between the water and sewer commissions to address these issues collectively.

The board also discussed the need for a treatment plant project to mitigate the degradation of the South Street wells, which are vital for the town’s water supply. Over the last 20 years, these wells have experienced increased nitrates, necessitating timely action to protect them. A design cost estimate is being prepared to assess current priorities and update facility plans.

Financial updates revealed a positive trend in revenue, with total revenue for the year around $1.5 million and a budget estimate close to $1.3 million. This surplus was attributed to increased septage revenue and rate adjustments. The board acknowledged the need for a review of articles for the upcoming town meeting to consider reallocating funds from debt to capital expenses.