West Bridgewater Finance Committee Appoints Capital Subcommittee, Reviews FY26 Departmental Budgets

WEST BRIDGEWATER -- February 20, 2025, West Bridgewater's Finance Committee reviewed departmental budgets and appointed a three-member capital subcommittee at its February 20 meeting. The most detailed presentation came from Water Superintendent Wayne Parks, who said the department's overall budget has declined as debt is retired but cautioned the committee against reducing water rates, citing a $1 million re-metering program expected to begin in two years and rising costs for the San Norman treatment plant, for which he said he will seek additional funding beyond the $10 million previously approved at Town Meeting. Parks said the Manly Street PFAS treatment facility, serving two contaminated wells, is expected to be turned over to the town by July 2025. The Board of Assessors requested a $7,500 annual contract for Near Maps aerial imagery software, which Assessor Danielle Nilsson said would reduce guesswork in property valuations: "Our assessing is as good as our data." Library Director Melanie Terrell sought 20 and 50 percent increases in property maintenance lines, attributing the request to recurring failures in a 35-year-old building including a replaced water heater and persistent sprinkler system problems.