Henri Renauld, Mattapoisett Water and Sewer superintendent, met with the Mattapoisett Finance Committee on February 10 to review his FY23 operating budgets for the two enterprise funds.
The committee members heard about the challenges both departments are facing due to aging infrastructure throughout the community. They also heard about possible expansion of the water and the sewer services to areas of the town not currently connected to municipal services.
Renauld said that the Main, Beacon, Water Street and Marion Road roadway improvement project is currently on the Capital Plan for 2026 but that funding would have to be secured from grants and bonding instruments. Tight coordination of not only local services such as water and sewer but also utilities and subcontractors would be needed.
In terms of long-range expansion possibilities, Renauld said that extended water service along Brandt Island Road and Mattapoisett Neck Road are on the radar and that a sewer expansion into the Pease’s Point neighborhood would be put before the residents at Town Meeting in an effort to secure a two-thirds acceptance of the accompanying betterment fees.
When asked about the long-awaited improvements to upper Pearl Street from Route 6 to Hammond Street, Renauld said the pipes, materials that were in part responsible for delays in construction had already been purchased and that he has money left over in a warrant article ($135,000) that would be spent on the project.
The unexpected and unfunded repairs now needed at the Oakland sewer pump station were also discussed. Renauld said that five manholes need complete reconstruction and repair and would be shovel-ready for grant applications and or bonding by next fall. Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding could be used for the project, but that presently the Select Board is weighing all options for those federal funds. Mattapoisett’s share is anticipated to be roughly $1,800,000, Lorenco stated.
The Water Department’s FY22 salaries will top out at $558,238 and increase to $570,055 for FY23. Expenses for FY22 are projected to be $987,222 versus the FY23 plan of $1,016,869 at a difference of 2.7 percent.
Sewer’s financials show FY22 wages at $214,591 versus $219,274 for FY23 and expenses for FY22 at $611,445 against FY23 planned at $751,755. There is an overall increase of 17.5 percent. The increases are primarily fueled by sewer treatment and infrastructural expenses and a contractual agreement for plant improvements.
Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer also met with the members of the Finance Committee on this night. After briefly reviewing the department’s operating budget, he was asked to explain a $5,000 increase in the line items titled “elected official – highway surveyor.” Bauer said that he was doing the same job his predecessor had done and had taken only “three days off” since being elected.
Fincom Chairman Pat Donoghue asked if Bauer would be meeting with the Select Board, which had set the salary at $75,000 in FY22. He responded that he would be. Lorenco commented that when the salary had been set, Bauer’s experience level had not been fully tested but that “Garrett has put his good foot forward,” noting he is responsible for all the roads in town. Bauer’s predecessor Barry Denham held the position for 15 years and reached a salary of $90,958 prior to his 2021 retirement.
The Highway Department’s operating budget for FY22 should stand at $749,800. The proposed budget of $772,600 for FY23 constitutes an increase of 3.4 percent.
The Mattapoisett Finance Committee was scheduled to meet again on Wednesday, February 16.
Mattapoisett Finance Committee
By Marilou Newell