Budget Working Group — October 6, 2026

The Fairhaven Budget Working Group met to evaluate the operational and financial feasibility of privatizing operations and maintenance at the Fairhaven Wastewater Treatment Plant. The meeting centered on the town's ongoing $70 million nitrogen upgrade project, which received $11,640,000 in loan forgiveness and an agreement where Mattapoisett pays approximately $9 million of the remaining cost, leaving Fairhaven with a $50 million repayment at 0% interest amortized over 30 years. Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Vincent Furtado gave an overview of the regulatory mandates driving the upgrade, the microbiological treatment process, and plant capacity, noting the new facility must comply with EPA discharge limits beginning May 1, 2027.

Working group members debated the merits of municipal operation versus third-party private management companies such as Veolia. Furtado cautioned that private operation would not produce net savings for the town or the general fund, explaining that wastewater operates as an enterprise fund that directly reimburses the general fund for indirect administrative costs (such as $846,000 budgeted in sewer contributions). Town Administrator Keith Hickey and several members expressed concern that issuing a request for proposals could cause valuable licensed plant operators to leave, while other members argued that performing a formal comparative study was necessary due diligence for taxpayers facing significant future municipal deficits.

Following extensive debate, the working group voted 5-1 to formally recommend that the Board of Public Works perform a transparent, comprehensive cost-based analysis evaluating whether privatizing wastewater treatment operations would benefit ratepayers compared to continued in-house operation. The committee also agreed to return to a biweekly schedule, setting their next meeting for October 20 at 6:00 PM to focus on economic development and new municipal growth strategies.

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