Pittsfield residents clash over proposed $2.66M wastewater project

Tensions flared during the Pittsfield deliberative session. From small issues like the microphone not working to larger discussions surrounding how to afford sludge removal from the town’s wastewater lagoons, it was a long morning.

Residents debated a proposed $2.66 million wastewater project during a town deliberative session at Pittsfield Middle High School, with discussion focusing on costs, long-term planning and who should pay.

The warrant article seeks voter approval to remove accumulated sludge from the town’s wastewater treatment lagoons and to authorize up to $2.66 million in bonds or notes to fund the project. At least 50% of the debt service would be paid through sewer user fees, with the remainder covered by taxes.

Engineering consultants from Hoyle Tanner, guiding the town’s compliance and project management, said the sludge removal is necessary to keep the 45-year-old facility in compliance with state and federal environmental permits. The lagoons were last cleaned in 2001 and are now operating at about 60% capacity, increasing the risk of permit violations and fines.

“This has to be done,” resident Louis Houle III said. “If we don’t do it now, it’s going to cost more later.”

Much of the discussion centered on whether taxpayers who are not connected to the municipal sewer system should help pay for the project.

Ryan Rafferty, a resident with a septic system, argued the entire cost should be covered by sewer users, while others said the wastewater plant is a community asset that benefits all residents. He criticized the lack of planning and the fact that the facility was not “run like a business,” and said fees should have been raised to cover the costs of the project.

Rafferty proposed an amendment to place 100% of the cost on service payments, but it failed.

Several residents raised concerns about long-term planning, saying the town should begin setting aside money to avoid similar large expenses in the future. Others acknowledged past failures to plan but said the immediate issue must still be addressed.

“This is a big number,” Houle added. “But these numbers only get bigger when we keep putting them off.”

Multiple residents spoke about the danger of raising taxes too much this year and said voters may reject many reserve fund articles, as they did last year.

Amendments to lower the price tag on five different warrant articles all failed, as many in the room argued that the money not set aside last year deserved consideration on voting day, March 10.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Pittsfield Middle High School.

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