Public Works Director Briefs Board on Rates and Capital Projects

Board of Public Works · Meeting of March 19, 2026

Pepperell Department of Public Works explains enterprise-fund billing and three capital projects at March 19 board meeting. A DPW official told the Board of Public Works that water, sewer and transfer-station budgets must independently break even by law, with the sewer fund carrying $750,000 in labor costs against $1.2 million in total expenses, including nearly $100,000 annually on phosphorus-removal chemicals. The town ships biosolids to Rhode Island for incineration, a cheaper alternative to a prior Maine contract that "cost us almost double." Three capital projects were outlined: a grant-funded Mill Street sidewalk expected to start construction by August, a grant-funded Jersey Street water main extension into Dunstable, and a new PFAS carbon-filtration treatment plant that will "bump up the rates" but gain roughly 180 new paying users.

No formal votes were taken.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 803 words

Source: the Board of Public Works meeting of March 19, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.