Two potential bond items totaling $800,000, both related to the town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, will be on the warrant this year.
During a budget hearing on Thursday, the Greenville Select Board reviewed the town’s proposed budget and warrant articles, including two at $400,000 each, for different purposes related to wastewater treatment. The first would help pay to construct a chemical feed building, and the other to repair or reconstruct components identified as deficient in a Department of Environmental Services inspection at the end of 2024.
Both projects are expected to receive significant funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, but the articles would also authorize taking out bonds or loans for the projects, and would require a three-fifths majority to pass.
The proposed budget for Greenville for the coming year is $2.9 million, a slight rise from last year’s $2.8 million. Increases include salaries, health and property liability insurance increases, repair and maintenance of government buildings and welfare costs.
Estimated revenue for the town is also up for the coming year, from about $1.10 million to $1.28 million.
Costs for both the water and wastewater departments, which are separate from the town’s budget and raised by user fees, are both expected to rise. The water department budget is set this year at $440,189, up from last year’s costs of $426,913, mostly attributed to large increases for repair and maintenance.
The wastewater department budget is increasing from $589,013 to $665,716, with the biggest contributor a new $90,000 one-time cost that was overage from last year due to a repair for a well at the town’s pump station.
The town is seeking to purchase several new vehicles this year, one a 2024 or newer mid-size SUV for $85,000 for the fire department, to replace the 31-year-old rescue vehicle. The funds would be drawn from the end-of-year fund balance. The town is also looking to buy a new police cruiser, with costs split between Temple and Greenville. The town’s share of $30,000 would come from the Police Detail Revolving Fund.
Another request would authorize a lease-to-purchase agreement for a utility body truck with a hoist for the water and wastewater departments. The total cost of the truck is $110,000, and the article asks to use water and wastewater revenues to pay for the first year’s payment of $25,000.
In addition to funds already allocated in the budget for paving, the town is asking for an additional $110,000 for other paving projects in a separate warrant. The $110,000 would pave Darling Hill Road from the intersection of Merriam Hill Road to the town line, and Adams Hill Road from Route 31 to Greenville Road. The funds would come from the end-of-year fund balance. Funds within the highway budget are already slated for other projects, including roadwork on Columbian Avenue and Dunster Hill.
Greenville continued the hearing to Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Greenville Town Hall. The town will also hold a bond hearing for the two bond articles on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall.