Wayland Wastewater Commission approves $936,725 FY25 budget, lowers review trigger

WAYLAND -- March 18, 2024, Wayland Wastewater Commission approves $936,725 FY25 budget and tightens flow-review thresholds. Chair Michael Gitten and member Darrin Bock unanimously approved the roughly 1 percent budget increase, which adds a $105,000 small-capital asset-management line and draws about $200,000 from $1.16 million in certified retained earnings. User charges rise about 3 percent. Citing continued sludge buildup on the plant's Kubota membranes, a cleaning project now estimated at $82,000 to $90,000, the commission moved to lower the trigger for a full plant capacity study from 52,000 to 35,000 gallons per day, against current flows of about 30,000 gpd. New connections above 2,000 gpd would require a plant assessment; those above 5,000 gpd would face full feasibility review with applicant-paid peer review. "Less subjective and more objective," Gitten said. A formal vote on the redlined privilege fee policy is set for April 8.