The committee’s decision to allocate $881,000 to the wastewater treatment plants was a focal point of the meeting. Members acknowledged that final budget numbers were pending but noted that the figure was unlikely to change drastically. Increased lab fees and assessments, driven by new testing requirements, were identified as significant contributors to the budget increase. Additionally, the committee addressed the rising costs of sewer sludge disposal, highlighting a substantial volume of sludge removal in recent months. To mitigate future financial risks, the committee considered exploring alternative haulers for sludge disposal, including those from the Worcester area and Cranston, Rhode Island, which might offer more cost-effective solutions.

In conjunction with the wastewater treatment funding, the committee examined the sewer payroll budget, which stood at $483,382. This budget accounted for the creation of a new assistant chief operator position. The new hire would assume responsibilities that had been nominally managed by a retiring employee, Gary B., ensuring seamless operations in the absence of the current operator, Eric. The position’s inclusion in the budget was provisional, dependent on approval by the Personnel Board. The committee also considered potential savings in overtime costs, attributed to revised scheduling and adjusted overtime calculations.

In addition to wastewater and sewer discussions, the committee tackled the financial implications of the town’s EV chargers. The recent installation of level three chargers in the L lot and Town Hall had presented unforeseen challenges in budget allocation, with expenses previously unaccounted for in earlier fiscal plans. A member raised concerns about the classification of charger income under “miscellaneous revenues,” suggesting that a revolving fund might provide greater transparency and financial clarity. Such a fund would allow for direct tracking of revenues and expenses related to the EV chargers.

However, establishing a revolving fund would necessitate a warrant article and amendments to existing bylaws, prompting a conversation about the bureaucratic processes involved. The committee recognized the importance of understanding whether the EV chargers were subsidized by the town or generating sufficient revenue to offset their costs. There was also discussion about the potential use of solar project revenues to counterbalance charger-related expenses, although members expressed some confusion over the specifics of these allocations.

The dialogue on EV chargers highlighted concerns about fluctuating electric rates and their impact on the chargers’ financial viability. The committee agreed that a revolving fund could mitigate these uncertainties by providing a clearer understanding of net revenues. This approach would contribute to the town’s overall fiscal strategy, emphasizing the need for a coordinated budgeting and financial management system.

The committee’s comprehensive review also included discussions on the pilot agreement for the landfill solar project, expected to generate approximately $60,000 annually in pilot fees, and the Town Building Maintenance budget of $192,540. Concerns were raised about the maintenance costs of underutilized buildings, with potential increases anticipated when these buildings are remodeled.

The General Highway payroll and expense budget, set at $337,400, was examined, with particular attention to line painting costs. The committee suggested increasing the budget for this item due to previously missed work on roads. Additionally, the Transfer Station expense budget of $248,990 was discussed, with plans to reduce costs through a new vendor for trash bags and the potential implementation of Comcast internet service to modernize transaction processes.