DALTON, Mass. — The Finance Committee agreed with the Select Board decision to approve the 19 percent sewer rate increase after an extensive discussion Wednesday night. 

 

Although the sewer system is not in need of any immediate attention for repair, there are things that need to be done to be proactive. 

 

As of this year, the town has $958,000 in sewer stabilization; the estimated cost of repairs is $759,000. If the budget is built up now, money will not have to be borrowed in the future and put it on taxpayers, said officials.

 

"I was pretty satisfied to see that we wouldn't have to borrow the money and put it on the taxpayers. That was really kind of great news," Finance Committee Chair William Drosehn said. 

 

"There are some other bigger things that are needing repair that may push us to that edge that are in that report."

 

The committee requested detailed actuals for the past five years of the sewer budget so that it can have a better idea of the need to present it to the town. 

 

The Finance Committee also voted to start holding monthly meetings to review budget spending. 

 

They also approved the three articles that are in the special town meeting warrant, which includes a couple minor amendments. 

 

• Article 1 would raise and appropriate an additional $135,874 for the transfer station expenses that were not accounted for at the annual town meeting or the special town meeting on June 27 plus funds for an appraisal of the Bardin land in preparation for selling it, and funds to ensure prompt payment of police details. It requires a majority vote.

 

• Article 2 is to borrow an additional $200,427 for Town Hall renovations based on a cost estimate for asbestos removal, reconstruction of the second-floor ceiling, and abating asbestos-containing plaster in two third-floor offices. It requires a two-thirds vote.

 

• Article 3 is to transfer $146,100 from the General Stabilization Fund to supplement the borrowing authorization passed by the town for the Division Road reconstruction. It also requires a two-thirds vote.

 

The bid for professional engineering services for Dalton Division Road was awarded to an engineering and planning firm in Springfield, Fuss & O'Neill, for $946,100. The official start date is Oct. 17 for engineering. 

 

Milling and filling will be used as a temporary solution to the condition of Division Road.