Blake D. Lukis

The meeting's primary focus involved the review and unanimous approval of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating, Maintenance, and Debt Services Budget, which necessitates a 5.5% rate increase across all tiers and includes adjustments for increased MWRA water purchase costs, IT costs, laboratory testing (TTHMs & PFAS, sodium, etc.), and personnel budget increases based on contract negotiations and merit raises. The Board also unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Budget, which allocates funding for various water main projects, including Riverside Drive and Whiting Avenue, and addresses full funding for the Burgess Avenue Pump Station project considering inflationary costs. Furthermore, Warrants 89-95 were unanimously approved. The Commissioners also unanimously approved a motion authorizing the Executive Director to sign contracts, task orders, and change orders up to specified financial thresholds, with modifications to the aggregate change order limit. Finally, the Commissioners voted to adjust on-call pay and directed the Executive Director to draft an MOU regarding future adjustments based on FTE count.

The agenda for this General Business Meeting included the installation of 2026 Board Officers, discussion and action regarding a water rate increase, and review of financials including the Treasurer's Report and approval of warrants. The Business Manager provided operating reports, including a review of the October 2025 financial close. The Operations Manager presented the Pumping and Operational Report, with an action item related to the East Street and Martin Bates Water Main Replacement. The Executive Director provided updates on signed contracts and White Lodge SRF Funding. The meeting concluded with a scheduled Executive Session to discuss negotiation strategy for non-union personnel, followed by potential action on personnel items, including the approval of 2025 bonus allocations.

The meeting included a presentation by Raftelis Financial Consultants on the financial analysis for the upgrade of the Bridge Street Treatment Plant, comparing it to purchasing water from the MWRA. Discussions covered study assumptions, debt assumptions, and scenario analysis. The board also reviewed the Treasurer's Monthly Cash Report for July and August, Business Manager Report, Operations Manager Report, and the Executive Director Report. The board also reviewed and acted on the 2026 Classification and Compensation Plan.

The meeting addressed the approval of a General Obligation Bond, financials and warrants, business manager and operations manager reports, and updates on new and existing projects. Discussions covered the financial implications of the bond, the treasurer's report, business operating reports, and pumping and operational updates. Key topics included the Lead Service Inventory Project, Water Main Replacement Project, PFAS Resin Filter Building Design & Construction, Well Rehabilitation, and Garage progress. The board also approved the Professional Engineering Services Agreement for the Design, Bidding Services, and Construction Administration for the water main installation on Schoolmaster Lane.

The meeting included an update from the chair regarding the John J. Cronin Public Service Award, followed by an executive session to discuss collective bargaining strategy for Westwood police superior officers and to consider the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property. A public hearing was held for PB Westwood LLC, doing business as playables, for a common Victoria license at 745 High Street, pending completion of public safety inspections and issuance of a food permit from the health department. Denim Westwood Water provided an update on PAS regulations, discussing new regulations being implemented by the EPA and Mass Department of Environmental Protection for PER and poly floral alcohol substances.