Annual Meeting Water and Sewer 6/8/26

Printable version

Water and Sewer Annual Meeting Minutes 06-08-26 194 KB

Web version

Town of Richmond

Annual Customer Meeting of Water and Sewer Commission

Minutes of June 8, 2026

Members Present: Erin Farr, Bard Hill, David Sander (online ~5:05 PM), Greg Rabideau, Morgan Wolaver

Members Absent: None

Staff Present: Town Manager Josh Arneson; Deputy Town Manager Duncan Wardwell; Superintendent Steve Cote; 

Others Present: The meeting was recorded for MMCTV Erin Wagg

MMCTV Video: https://youtu.be/Z8xZOrpQ82Y?si=hhhvUu3tg3CCOs1E 

Call to Order: 5:02 pm

Welcome: Wolaver

Public Comment: None

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present

Discussion of Accomplishments of Past Year
Timestamp: 0:03
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/1_2026_customers_meeting_draft_as_of_6-2-26.pdf 

Arneson presented the packet presentation which goes through each agenda item.  Cote confirmed that Brad Snow also has his Water Distribution license.  


Review of 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (A link to the report is included in the presentation that is included in the packet)
Timestamp: 0:07

Arneson presented the 2025 Consumer Confidence Report:
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Departments/Water_Wastewater/2026/2025_Consumer_Confidence_Report.pdf 

Everything from 2025 came within the acceptable ranges for all the possible contaminants.  Cote confirmed that they have maintained a 7.0 or above for fluoride with no deductions for low numbers.  Cote reviewed that the EPA sets the PFAS limits at 20.  The EPA only looks at five really important ones. Cote stated that the State is requiring all water systems to test for PFAS quarterly because they do not have enough data points to see progression in a system.  In 2026, the first quarter and second quarter tests have been less than the limit.  


Discussion of Upcoming Projects including: 

Tilden Ave., Bridge St., and Cochran Rd. Waterline Replacement Project 

Timestamp: 0:16

Arneson reviewed that the Tilden Ave., Bridge St., and Cochran Rd. Waterline Replacement Project are being funded through Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).  The replacement of the waterline under Huntington Rd will be paid for with Unrestricted funds and the DWSRF funds.  All of the waterline maintenance will be new in the last 15 years, so that'll help with future leaks.  Cote confirmed that the average depth is around 7ft, so they have the ability to go under the current water main at 5.5ft.  Cote summarized that they encountered several old black plastic water lines that he could not explain.  Cote estimated that they are averaging ~70ft/day right now but will be up around 200ft/day when they can use a trench box.  


Discussion of Upcoming Projects including: 

Wastewater Treatment Facility 20 Year Study
Timestamp: 0:20

Arneson presented the next steps in the 20-Year Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrade:
–Complete preliminary and final design
–Determine funding model
–Public outreach
–Bond vote

Arneson presented Upcoming Projects

–Upgrade pumphouse control panel 

–Upgrade the wastewater filter control panel

–Continued work on wastewater pumpstation location


Discussion and consideration of approval of FY27 Budget & Rates, including septage rate
Timestamp: 0:24
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d01_FY27_Water___Wastewater_budget_DRAFT_6-8-26_base_version.xlsx 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d02_FY27_Water___Wastewater_budget_DRAFT_6-8-26_base_version.pdf 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d03_FY27_Water___Wastewater_budget_DRAFT_6-8-26_conservative_septage.xlsx 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d04_FY27_Water___Wastewater_budget_DRAFT_6-8-26_conservative_septage.pdf 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d05_FY27_Water_and_Wastewater_rates_DRAFT_6-8-26_base_version.xlsx 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d06_FY27_Water_and_Wastewater_rates_DRAFT_6-8-26_conservative_septage.xlsx 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d07_FY27_Water_and_Wastewater_rates_DRAFT_6-8-26_reduction_worksheet_97_percent.xlsx 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d08_FY27_Water_and_Wastewater_rates_DRAFT_6-8-26_reduction_worksheet_C_G_180K_reduction_future_use.xlsx 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/09_Rate_Option_Comparison.pdf 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d10_Septage_volume_history_2016-2026__1_.pdf 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d11_Water_and_Wastewater_Volume_history.pdf 

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/d12_WS_Rate_and_Budget_Charts_DRAFT_6-8-26.pdf 

Arneson presented the FY27 Budget using the materials from the packet.  Arneson reviewed the conservative septage revenue changed from $500,000 to $450,567 with the Reserve fund contribution dropping from $59,000 down to $10,000.  
 

Arneson presented the proposed FY27 Water Rates and noted that if the Commission decided to use conservative septic revenue it would not change the amount of money raised from core users ($385,129). Arneson confirmed the Allocations Per Core User Group for Sewer as $265,388.77 for Residential, $93,422.13 for Commercial/Government, and $26,317.88 for School.

Arneson summarized that the Fixed and Metered Rates are based on the total amount used in the previous year from the different Core User Groups.  If a Group is using more water, then they are going to pay more of that budget. Arneson illustrated the Possible Reduction in Water and Wastewater Use.  Arneson presented the Rate Comparison Sheet:
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Water_Sewer_Commission/Meetings/2026/06/09_Rate_Option_Comparison.pdf.

Farr suggested that they split the difference in the different rate scenarios.  Cote indicated that if they end up not losing 180,000 gallons then it will be a bonus as opposed to not considering it and trying to predict the future.  Rabideau expressed concerns about upping the Commercial rates aggressively to help preserve local business.  Hill observed that if Commercial use percentage goes down then the costs would shift to the other groups the following year.  Farr estimated that the bills would be going up by ~$22 per quarter with the two different scenarios.  Arneson stated that if they go with 97% then it is going to be ~$10 more a year for Residential compared to the 98% base rate.  

Farr moved to approve the FY27 water and wastewater budget using a conservative rate for septage, a 98% of previous usage, and the rates as presented.  Rabideau seconded. 

Roll Call Vote: Farr, Wolaver in favor.  Rabideau, Sander not in favor.  Hill abstains.  Motion not approved.

 

Rabideau moved to approve the FY27 water and wastewater budget and rates using the following variations: conservative estimate on the forecast for septic revenue, 97% of previous year's usage, and the rates as presented.  Farr seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Rabideau, Sander, Wolaver in favor.  Motion approved.

 

Arneson reviewed that the septage rate had been $0.08/gallon for the last 3 years.  Arneson stated that the Consumer Price Index for New England April 2025 to April 2026 is 4%.  There was a 3.2% CPI increase from 2023 to 2024, and a 3.0% CPI increase from 2024 to 2025.  If those were compounded, then the septage rate would be $0.0884/gallon.   Hill suggested raising it by 4% to see what happens in terms of volume of septage.  Cote suggested starting with the CPI as the haulers are increasing by the cost of living every year.  Farr stated she likes Wolaver’s idea of a step-up increase at different intervals instead of every 3 years.  Cote confirmed that the State average is around $0.085-$0.09/gallon.  Arneson stated that it is good practice to look at it every June and December to decide on another increase based on the feedback.  Sander suggested rounding up the rate increases to the nearest half-cent.  Rabideau observed that they are one of the few towns in the county who have the capacity to accept septage so he would not worry about market share.  

Hill moved to set the Septage Rate at $0.0832/gallon which is effective for septage receiving starting on July 1, 2026, and that they review the rate again in December 2026 to contemplate the possibility of an additional increase.  Farr seconded.

Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Rabideau, Sander, Wolaver in favor.  Motion approved.


Discussion of recruitment of applicants for the two seats on the Water and Sewer Commission that are reserved for customers of the water and/or wastewater system. The deadline to submit applications is the June 17, 2026
Timestamp: 1:39

Arneson reviewed that there are two 1-year terms in the Water and Sewer Commission that are reserved for customers of the Water/Sewer system.  These are appointed by the Selectboard and the deadline to submit applications has been extended to June 17, 2026.  Arneson stated that public meetings are held on the 1^st and 3^rd Mondays of the month at 6 PM.  


Adjourn

Hill moved to adjourn. Sander seconded. 
Roll Call Vote: Farr, Hill, Rabideau, Sander, Wolaver in favor.  Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at:  6:46 PM

Chat file from Zoom:  None