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WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL ACTING AS
SEWER COMMISSION
PUBLIC HEARING FOR FY24
WWTF PROPOSED BUDGET MINUTES
DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2023 TIME: 6:00 P.M.
LOCATION: TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1170 MAIN STREET
WEST WARWICK, RI 02893
A. Meeting called to order at 6:11 p.m. by Town Council President Gosselin
B. Roll Call
Members present:
Council President Gosselin
Council Vice President Williamson
Councilman Messier
Councilman Licciardi (Absent) Family Emergency
Councilman Bourget (Absent) Family Emergency
Participating communities:
Town of Coventry (not present)
Town of Scituate (not present)
City of Cranston (not present)
City of Warwick (not present)
Town of West Greenwich (not present)
C. Quorum on record declared
D. Proposed WWTF FY24 Budget (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023)
· Superintendent Chapdelaine explained that since the Budget work shop they have obtained update information for next year’s revenue projections. While their billing software was being updating it was challenging to produce accurate projections. He adds the budget is already lean and they have to address significant issues like aging infrastructure, chemical and sludge removal.
· Superintendent Chapdelaine states he wants to make sure they are set up for success with adequate funding and reserves so the Town will not have to begin bailing them out in the upcoming years. Budget option #2 is proposed as a $40.00 one time charge due to the emergency repair on Water Street. The Director of Administration did some number crunching and can reduce that number to $30.00 per EDU. Budget option #1 is proposed to increasing our rate from $4.25 per 100 cubic feet to $4.65 per 100 cubic feet. The average household would see an increase of $24.00 per year. This budget would enable the facility to offset an emergency repair, without utilizing our unrestricted funds balance and would allow them to be proactive with maintenance needs and to accept significant federal funding along with matching those funds.
· Council President Gosselin questions why can’t we bring the $24.00 per year increase lower because it would be a yearly fee.
· Council Vice President Williamson followed up stating that the one-time fee was to recoup the cost of Water Street.
· Mr. Corrente said that was correct.
· Council Vice President Williamson pointed out that when we dove into the budget we realized there was a significant increase in our expenses going forward, she also states that West Warwick stands at the second to the bottom in the state with having the lowest bill rate.
· Council President Gosselin asked what the probability of a rate increase of $24.00 this year to having one next year.
· Superintendent Chapdelaine said as of right now we have some upcoming projects in the next five years that are probably going to cost us around $7,000,000.00. The $24.00 is going to help us try and save some money so we can actually afford these upcoming project. If we did a one-time $30.00 charge we would potentially be putting off projects that the facility needs to undertake.
· Council Vice President Williamson comments on the work the team has done and commends them for looking into long term. She mentions the retained earnings are desperately low at this time for the size of our facility and for what our annual budget is.
· Mr. Knott states that we are looking into getting a grant, but it would come with a co-pay and it would take about a third to a half of our savings.
E. Public Comment.
· No public comment
F. Adjourn
A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Messier and seconded by Council Vice President Williamson. All in favor, none opposed (3 – 0) voted to accept. Adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
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