A central topic of the meeting was the sewer project funding, where the committee highlighted the need for financial backing without further burdening Westport citizens. Members discussed potential grant sources, notably the Mass Works Grant and Congressional designated spending, which could collectively provide substantial financial support. The committee acknowledged past grant application setbacks, attributing failures to the absence of a development partner. They stressed the importance of forming such partnerships to strengthen future applications and secure necessary funds for the town’s infrastructure improvements.

The committee also focused on a $4 million grant and a $1 million state earmark for Route 6, emphasizing the urgency of obligating these funds by year-end. To ensure full utilization, a proposed change order of approximately $385,900 was suggested to cover additional project costs, including directional boring and water line extensions. This change order aims to extend the water line and enhance fire hydrant accessibility, addressing project execution challenges and ensuring adequate coverage.

Incentivizing water supply connections was another discussion point. The committee considered allocating $371,000 to encourage residential and commercial properties to connect to the new water line, with suggested incentives of $3,000 per property. This initiative aims to maintain water flow and reduce user costs, targeting approximately 100 residential and 50 to 60 business properties. The dialogue included extending water lines to underserved areas like East Briggs Road and Greenwood, where recent gas line installations have disrupted roads, and a fire station reliant on a non-drinkable well.

The committee addressed complications with utility access permits from Mass Highway, particularly for extending the main water line at Cozy Nook. By initiating connections there, the system could be energized quickly, as residents have shown eagerness to tie into the water supply. The state-required additional engineering work for directional drilling under culverts was noted as a complicating factor in the permitting process.

Infrastructure related to Olympia Pizza, which currently uses a public water supply, was also discussed. Despite satisfactory water quality testing, there is a financial incentive for the establishment to move away from public supplies due to maintenance and regulatory costs. The committee proposed extending the water line by another 500 feet along Route Six to improve connections, particularly in the Forge Road neighborhood, which faces contaminated wells.

The meeting also touched on grant funding from Bristol County, with two applications requiring obligation by the end of December. The committee explored developing an incentive program to encourage timely water line connections, estimating around 100 residential properties and 50 to 60 businesses would benefit. This approach was deemed beneficial for maintaining water flow and reducing costs for all users.

Procedural discussions included the election of new officers, with nominations for chair, vice chair, and clerk. The committee acknowledged the need for diversity and the importance of filling roles promptly to maintain effective operations. Additionally, there was a call for greater collaboration with the Board of Health to address public safety and environmental concerns, particularly regarding septic systems and compliance with Title 5 regulations.

The importance of clear public communication was underscored, as letters had been prematurely sent to residents along Gford Road and Osborne Street about upcoming construction. Ensuring accurate information dissemination was highlighted to avoid confusion and engage the community effectively in project developments.