ROYALSTON – Operation of the town’s sewer treatment plant prompted a bit of discussion at last week’s Selectboard meeting, where board members continued their review of departmental budgets being proposed for FY21, which begins July 1.
The plant is overseen by Public Works Director Keith Newton, who presented two possible budgets for the facility.
This will be the first year the board will be acting as the town’s sewer commissioners. At last year’s annual Town Meeting, voters approved abolishing the Board of Sewer Commissioners and transferring its responsibilities to the Selectboard. The move became official with the passage of a home rule petition enacted by the state Legislature.
“What I would like to see is a separate sewer maintenance and repair budget,” said D’Amico. “This is the first year you’ve been asked to do this, but I think it’s important to track both of those separately.”
D’Amico pointed out that the cost of operating the plant is covered by ratepayers who are tied into the sewer system, while maintenance and repair costs are borne by Royalston’s property taxpayers.
Newton did give the board two budget proposals for the approaching fiscal year; one which allocates $14,560 to cover an eight-hour work week for plant operator/consultant Kent Songer, another which asks for $18,200 to pay for a 10-hour week.
Either budget represents a decrease since just over $25,000 was set aside for the position in the current budget. Each plan also proposes an increase to $27,300, from the current $18,550, to pay other part-timers who may be brought in to assist Songer.
Newton said the changes were proposed only after first speaking with Songer.
“He would prefer the eight-hour plan,” said Newton. “But we found he was putting in more time than that. Our history shows that he was submitting for more than eight, maybe two or three over, depending on what we got into.”
Newton said Songer has been able to address a series of maintenance issues in recent months and, therefore, there should be a reduction in the amount of time he needs to spend on the job. Still, Newton said he would feel more comfortable budgeting for 10 hours.
You’ve budgeted the other operators to increase their time to 21 hours,” said D’Amico. “So, having Kent on more hours per week doesn’t reduce the need for them?”
“No,” Newton responded, “because his category of work is a lot different. He’s managing it and he’s also doing reporting, so he’s putting in a bit more time.”
Depending on which plan the board eventually endorses — which will require approval at the Annual Town Meeting — the treatment plant budget will see a modest increase from the present $67,750 to either $69,750 or $73,290.