From the Town Administrator's FY 2027 Budget narrative, each department's story is worth sharing.
General Purpose
We deliver elite customer service and ensure the consistent operation and maintenance of our collection system, safely transporting and billing over 900 million gallons of wastewater annually to the Charles River Pollution Control Treatment Plant.
Core Functions
● Manage and maintain 23 sewer lift stations.
○ Includes daily operational monitoring, recording pumping data, and facility sanitization to ensure consistent flow to the CRCPD. Responsibilities encompass the technical maintenance of pumps, motors, telemetry, and standby power, as well as the upkeep of site security, fencing, and grounds.
● Sewer Collection System Maintenance
○ Ensure the integrity of the Town’s sewer infrastructure through proactive repairs and maintenance of mains and manholes. This includes systematic
hydraulic cleaning, internal TV inspections for asset management, and the clearing of easements to ensure emergency access.
● Emergency twenty-four hour, seven days a week response/customer service.
● Support Supplies & Equipment
○ Ensure the department has trucks, equipment, and a proper inventory of supplies for day-to-day operations and emergencies after hours.
● This department provides both technical and physical assistance to internal and external customers for public and private projects including plan review and permitting providing excellent customer service.
Staffing
The salary costs for the Director, Managers and Administrative Staff are shared between the DPW General Fund and the various Enterprise funds.
The Sewer Enterprise fund pays for 10.33 FTEs (the breakdown):
● Management & Administration: 3.28
● Engineering/GIS Staff: 1.0
● Administrative Support: 1.05
● Sewer Division Laborers: 5.0
Strategic Initiatives & Accomplishments
● In FY27, the Department will reach a major milestone with the completion of the Beaver Street Interceptor project. As the conduit for 70% of the Town’s raw sewage, replacing this century-old line is essential. Despite significant logistical hurdles involving environmental and transportation corridors (Route 140, MBTA tracks, and local wetlands), the project remains fiscally responsible through the use of State Revolving Funds (SRF) low-interest loans and Federal Infrastructure Bill principal forgiveness.
● Modernize critical infrastructure by completing the multi-year pump and control system upgrade across the Town’s sewer network.
● Increased Mass DEP and EPA regulatory activities of delivery and operations of wastewater operations.
● Sustain ongoing sewer system capital improvements to further reduce Inflow and Infiltration levels.
● Continue to collaborate with the development community to implement
flow-mitigation strategies that reduce system strain during peak demand periods.
● Work with Charles River Pollution Control District on proposed Inflow and Infiltration work to the District owned interceptors and plan for future improvements to the District owned Treatment Facility.
FY27 Requested Budget Highlights
● The FY27 budget was prepared as a “level service budget” to continue with residents' expected services. Exceptions include the following:
○ Account 517195 - OPEB - Required increase in contribution
○ Account 521010 - Electricity - Increased $4,000 to account for inflation, startup of the new BSI Pump Station, and align with 5 year average.
○ Account 521020 - Natural Gas - Increased $2,000 to account for inflation, startup of the new BSI Pump Station, and align with 5 year average.
○ Account 527030 - Equipment Rental/Lease - Increased $10,000 to match water enterprise. The account is used for Fleet GPS and potential for emergency pump rental.
○ Account 530300 - Health/Medical Services- Increased $500 due to increased cost of first aid kit requirements.
○ Account 543010 - Building - M&R Supplies - Increase $3,000 to account for operation of aging equipment.
○ Account 554035 - Chemicals - Decrease $5,000 to align with the 5 year average.
● The FY27 budget does reflect step raises, cost of living adjustments and other contractual requirements for union employees as well as COLA adjustments for non union staff.
● FY27 Charles River Pollution Control District assessments are based on information provided by them. The number is subject to change.
FY27 Requested Budget Summary
Enterprise funds are accounted for separately from the General Operating Budget and are designed to be self-supporting through user fees and charges. As such, their revenues and expenditures do not impact the Town’s Operating Budget, as all costs are recovered within the enterprise fund rather than supported by general taxation.
Approval of the FY27 requested budget is essential to maintaining the "level service" that ensures the safe conveyance and billing of over 900 million gallons of wastewater annually. This funding supports critical infrastructure, including 23 sewer pump stations and the future startup of the ongoing, multi-million dollar Beaver Street Interceptor project, which is
vital to the community's health, safety, and prosperity. A reduction or cut to this request would directly impact the department’s ability to provide 24/7 emergency response, meet increasing MassDEP and EPA regulatory requirements, and perform necessary maintenance to prevent system failures.
The PDF of this section -
The FY 2027 budget information can be found
