2026-10-15 - Sewer Commission

I thought going to be on a big one. Welcome to the October 15, 2026 meeting of the sewer commission. This meeting is being recorded and streamed by Milby Public Access cable television available live

on public access channels charter 191 of Verizon 26. This meeting is also available through Zoom. USD download or by phone. Anyone who is participating through Zoom US download or by phone should

state their name and address when speaking is now 3:00. We'll call this meeting to order. First order on the agenda minutes of September 22nd. >> I make a chance to meet it. Y I second it. All >> in

favor? I opposed. Did we already talk about that disconnect? >> Yep. See, we approved it. >> Oh, okay. I got to read the whole line, huh? Pass that back. Next order on the agenda is Dreamlay. drain

layers licenses. At this time, we have none. Next item, sewer connection permits. This is noting that on October 5th meeting, we approved the disconnect of 8 8-10 South Main Street. >> We approved

that on October 5th. Next item, our abatements. We have one abatement. No, we have a bunch of them, don't we? >> We do this one separately, though. Is that true? >> Yeah, this one's on the agenda. The

other ones are not. >> The abatement is for four railroad a deduction. The amount of the deduction is $232.50 motion. >> Uh there's an explanation we're going to get here. >> Yeah, I don't look

through this. So, this is the what she was asking for the amount. Okay, this is the one you talked earlier about. Okay. >> Her bill just came out. She only used this amount. >> So, it doesn't have a

comparison to that. >> Okay. >> And she doesn't use much water anyways. >> Okay. >> What's the date that she said she filled it up? >> July 10th. But I did look back and we only charged her for 6,000

gallons last billing quarter. >> Okay. >> So it still doesn't >> been in the same period. You already said that should have been covered. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So I don't it's up to you guys. >> Okay.

The amount for the abatement is for 15,268,000 gallons. According to the records, uh in that period of time, she's only used 9,000 gallons the same period. She's looking for the abatement for 15,000.

She only used nine. So I I need a recommendation for giving her a baitment for only the nine >> yes >> gallon thousand gallons >> motion. >> Uh I mean can we maybe request more information? >> Yeah

because if we do that it'll bring her bill down to zero. >> Yeah I mean clearly something's off. >> Yeah something is off here. Um, I I would suggest maybe we just kind of ask her to to double check

the size of her pool or we could send someone out there to look at the pool and see how much she filled up. >> Okay, >> that would make sense to me. >> Well, yeah. Want to change the motion to put

this on hold for temporarily? >> Yes, I make that motion to put it on hold. >> I second it. Okay. All in favor? I Okay. >> Should we do the rest of the abatements now or wait till the end? >> Yeah, we

can do them now. Let's just vote to hear that item. >> Okay. Next item on the agenda is for additional topics. First item under additional topics is for sewer billing warrant. >> All right. Let's back

up. So, I think we have more abatements to deal with. >> Yes. >> First. >> Yes. Let's let's vote to hear that cuz it's not on the agenda. >> I make a motion we hear that. >> Any additional abatements?

>> I second it. All >> in favor? >> I >> I >> All right. So, we have a whole bunch of abatements here um related to the meter deduction program. Um so, what happened was we kind of changed the the the

rules with the meter deduction program. we were going to take a a read in the spring and a read in the fall and we were going to give one big abatement for that whole summer um time frame when people

use the most water. Um what we didn't account for was the fact that the billing system uh would freak out about this. Um so instead of kind of giving negative bills for people and giving credits where

they deserve those credits, uh the system is going to send out actual bills just for the minimum amount which is 2,000 gallons. Um, so what we need to do is give people the the correct bill um and

process all these abatements. Um, so we've kind of done the math. We feel good about the numbers. I suggest you make a motion um to just approve them all in one batch. >> You got a total for the total

all of them? >> I not all together but separately for the 38. >> All right. You want to get a total? >> Yeah. >> Get out the calculator, get a total, and we can move on to to the next thing for the

time being. >> All right, that sounds >> How many How many How many abatements are 38? >> 38, I >> think. 38. Yeah. Oh boy. Okay, let's see what else we got. So, is this in the spreadsheet too, Brett?

>> Let's pull up the spreadsheet and just get a total that way. >> You could. >> Okay, let's do it that way. I was going to say it take me a couple minutes. >> Yeah. Right. Right. Right. >> Yeah. If

you just add up the total deduction. >> Where is that spreadsheet? >> It is in billing under FY27 October. >> Is that it? Let me see that. These are the ones we're going to talk on, >> correct? >>

These are the totals. >> Need help? >> No, they're all over the town, right? >> Where is um quarterly sewer billing? Go down to quarterly billing. Yeah. October fixes. You're talking around $2,000. It

looks like maybe more than that. Five. Oh, 1,000. Oh, what was uh >> 34 g >> window? But it makes sense. His previous bill was super high. >> Mhm. >> All right, I have the total. It's $5,85560. Can I

write on this? >> Yeah. >> $5,85560. >> 555. >> Yep. >> And one more time, the cents >> 6. >> And this is basically a computer. Yes, it was a not a computer error, but something that the just our

billing system couldn't deal with just the way it's built. Um, we'll have to probably reconsider how we do this. I think we'll have to collect reads and give abatements each quarter. >> Try again next

time. >> So, if we give all these abatements, there could be wish bills. No, >> I was going to put it into our billing system and then give everybody a balance statement which shows how much credit is

on their account. >> Got it. >> Oh, okay. >> That makes sense. Yeah. >> And I'll reach out to all of them tomorrow. >> Okay. We have 38 abatements to go through. Uh the total for the 38 abatements is

$5,855.60. Uh we will look at individual bills as as the meeting goes on, but I would like to do a motion now for the one one amount for the 38 billings. >> Mhm. >> And then we deal with each one

individually. >> Sounds like a plan. >> Motion to approve the abatement total of 38 units. >> I make that $5,855.60. >> I make that motion. >> I second it. All >> in favor? I opposed. Okay. We just

have to sign all these, right? >> Yeah. >> Can we have them sign at the end? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Next. No, that was that was that was on was that on the on the agenda? >> Now we can move to additional

topics. >> Okay. Additional topics. Sewer billing warrant. Oo, nice motion to approve the the sewer warrant for July 1st, 2026 to September 30th, 2026. The amount of the uh warrant is 945,293.50.

motion. >> I make that motion. >> Second. >> I second that motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> oppose. Have you heard anything from Sutton at all? Thank you. >> About anything? Nope. Next item under

additional topics is the Sutton saw belt and we're pretty confident with the numbers here. >> Yes, we made some changes. Um we're doing the common system factor for the salaries. Um, so that's a a 75%

reduction saying that, you know, the part that they're responsible for is only the common system. Common system is 25% of the entire system. So they're paying 25% of the salaries based on that. Um,

and then the indirect cost is a custom sheet. We went through every single line on indirect costs and kind of sorted out what they should be responsible for and what they shouldn't be. Um, so that's

all reflected in that bill. >> Okay. I'm sure we s will be asking >> I'm sure they still won't like the bill. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Motion to approve the Sutton sore bill. The amount of the Sutton

sore bill is $62,588.84. >> I make that motion. >> I second it. All >> in favor? I >> that sounds it's less than previous ones I know. Huh. >> Yeah. It's brought it down from it used to be like

90,000. Now we're down to 60,000. So I think that they've they've got a pretty good deal and I think we've been kind of fair with them. >> I think so, too. >> Okay. The uh the last item under

additional topics is the discussion on the war article we have at the fall town meeting. All right. So you can read it. Um I have a quick presentation to kind of explain some of it. Um, I guess we'll

start there and then I'll I'll take any questions. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Sounds good. >> All right. So, um, we will be asking >> how you start it off. >> Um, we'll be asking for $2.8 million uh from the

stabilization fund because that's where we have the money right now. um in that project and that will kind of get us a 450 kilowatt ground mounted solar array that will offset uh at least 90% of our

of our electricity costs at the main pump station. >> So, we're going to install the solar array at on the south side of our buildings. Um the north side was just going to be a bit too tricky because

we have the flood plane back there. Mhm. >> We're going to have to go through all the the permitting through Concom. Um get a full NOI. We're going to have to do some environmental site assessments.

Um so it'll be a lot easier to just install it on uh the the south side of our buildings. Um it won't look the best up there. I I'd strongly prefer to put it in the back. Uh but this is just going to

make for a better project. It'll just go quicker this way. >> And it's going to be below the hill, right? >> It's going to kind of be on the hill on top. >> Yeah. A little bit of both. I mean, we

might have to move the fence. Um, they're going to be ballast and mounted on big concrete blocks because we have the all the old concrete from all the old clarifying filters and all that stuff still

underground out there. Um, so that's going to be a big part of the expense here is those concrete blocks to to actually to to mount the panels on top of those. Um, so the array is going to be sized to

offset most of our costs. Um, but we're not going to be exporting too much extra. Um, and now we do have net metering available through National Grid. So when it's cloudy, um, you know, so we're going

to kind of overproduce in the summer months, we'll be able to collect those credits and use that electricity essentially in the winter months when we're not producing as much. Um, so that's how the

net metering program works. So it doesn't really matter if you know overall throughout the year as long as we're producing the correct amount of energy, our system will will function just fine. Um so

again, we're looking at about $100,000 a year in savings um by doing this and that's between the energy savings and the smart incentives that that are part of the the national grid program here. Um

there will be some O andM expenses that's about $12,000 a year. Um and we already have the GAP 4 grant through Mass D that will help pay for this project. Uh the big thing that changes this project

from being a a really excellent project and being maybe a not so great project is uh this deadline to get the federal tax credit. So if we're able to get this system operational by the end of 27, we

can claim the 30% investment tax credit which could be, you know, $850,000. >> So that obviously kind of changes the the whole math of of this project. >> Um >> we don't know if we're going to get

that or not. We're going to go as fast as we can and see what happens. But that's just something to consider when when you're considering this. >> And that savings is based on the rates today. The

rates just simply go up all the time. So that savings is going to go up as well. >> Mhm. Yeah. Right. >> Um so where we're at now with the stabilization fund balance, we're at 4.2 million. Um if we

pull the 2.8 eight from the stabilization fund will be back will be down to 1.4 million. And I'll just show you the other balances here while while I'm at it. So, we have the 4.2 in stabilization. We

have the capital stabilization fund that has half a million. Retained earnings is down to about half a million. Um, we did use a lot of our retained earnings for the Rayburn Drive pump station

replacement. Um, and then we do have some money in leftover kind of article funds from previous things and Rayburn's expected to come in under budget. So, we'll get a little bit of money back there.

Um, so that's where we're at for money. We have about essentially in our, you know, reserves, we have about 5.8 million and we're asking to pull 2.8. >> Mhm. >> Um, I'd expect the project to come in a

lot lower than 2.8, but we can't really guarantee that at this point. Um, so you know, train our the the people doing this project for us. They're going to do a lot of value engineering. Um, they're

still going to kind of shop around for the best deal on panels, things like that. Um, so we have a ways to go in the design element of this, but because we have that deadline with the tax credit, we

need to ask for the money now. We need to kind of get moving now, >> right? >> Uh, just about sewer rates. Um, so as you guys know, um, our sewer rates are mostly kind of based on what Upper

Blackstone gives us for their rates, and we talked about those big projects in the 2030s, um, where we expect our rates from them to go up. So, we've been trying to catch up by going up 5% this year,

likely 5% next year. >> This project's going to pull from our reserves. It's not going to result in an immediate increase of anyone's rates. >> Yep. >> I was just kind of want to make that clear. Do

you have anything other projects lined up after this project or that's in the back of your mind at this point? Like >> we still have the wheel lock drive pump station replacement. >> Okay. Yeah. >>

You know, so I think if if we do this project and pull from the reserves as much as we're talking about here, I think we would probably take out a loan for that one. >> Okay. What kind of numbers are

you looking at for that? Uh I think about 2 million. >> That's a deep one, too. >> That's that's the the hardest one that we have and that's why it's it's weighted this long cuz Yeah. It's like 40 40

ft deep and it's a very small lot. >> I see the finance committee's deferring to the sewer commission. >> The finance committee last night deferred to to this group to to make a recommendation on this

project. Yeah. >> I recommend. Okay. went up. >> I think it's a smart move to do this, >> right? >> I think it's a good move. >> Yeah. >> Well, we saving the amount of electricity we're saving. Yeah.

>> Yeah. And that's only going to accelerate. >> Yeah. >> We talk about panels payback periods and, you know, people talk like 25 years, but panels last 40 years, they're just not as efficient 40

years later, >> right? >> Um, you can also just replace the panels and we still have everything kind of built out. We just still have all the all the concrete ballast. Everything would be there

already. So if we have to replace a couple panels 20 years from now, it's not a big deal, >> right? >> I mean, it's the the payback right now is if you're saving 100,000, you're talking 28 years. >>

Well, it depends. If we get the investment tax credit, >> um Sutton's going to pay their share of this project based on >> and as rates go up, it's going to decrease the time. >> Sutton's going to pay

their 18.8%. >> Right. Okay. Um, we do have the money from MassDB, the GAP for a grant already. So, our true cost, if we do hit that deadline and get the investment tax credit, it's like 1.4 million.

>> So, then we're talking about, you know, a 12 to 14 year payback, which isn't bad. Worst case, we're talking more like a 20-year payback. >> But to me, that still makes sense to do, >> right? >>

Looks like it's a no-brainer, really. I mean that that's all you see around town and other towns is >> the solar arrays. >> Okay. >> So you don't do you need an approval from us? >> Yes. You would

have to vote to recommend this article for the town meeting warrant. >> Okay. You heard the explanation. Do we have a motion to approve the article as written? >> Yes. >> I make a motion to approve

the article. >> And I second that motion. >> Okay. All in favor? I >> I good. >> Okay. 1027. >> I may not be here at that meeting. >> Okay. As of right now, we don't have anything on the agenda for

it. >> Okay. >> Anyways, >> Oh, that'll change. >> Miy, anything else? Uh, no I don't. >> Okay, >> Richard. >> Absolutely nothing. >> Thank you. >> Nothing. >> Okay, >> Gary. >> I get nothing. >>

Britney. >> Oh, I entertain a motion to adjourn. >> I make that motion. >> I second it.