Jaffrey has accepted a $60,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Services to put toward an inventory of its service lines, as part of an effort to eliminate lead and copper from the system.
In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency established a requirement that the vast majority of water systems replace their lead pipes by 2037. Jaffrey is preparing for that process, including voters approving the purchase of a vacuum truck during the March Town Meeting. The vacuum truck will be used in the inventory of Jaffrey’s service lines. The grant is related to the work, but will not be used for the truck purchase, explained Town Manager Jon Frederick.
“It’s for the work itself – part of the labor to do this work,” Frederick said.
The cost for the vacuum truck is also expected to be defrayed in part by separate state funding, which will cover about $300,000 of the $425,000 cost of the truck. During a recent Select Board meeting, members asked about the status of that funding, given recent government cuts.
“As far as we know, we’re still getting it, and we’re proceeding that way,” Frederick said. “If they pull the plug on that program, we’ll know.”
Frederick said the truck has not yet been ordered, but Superintendent of Utilities Tony Cavaliere is actively working on procurement.
Selectman Charlie Turcotte expressed gratitude for the funding being available, a sentiment echoed by Selectman Andy Lawn.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.