Press Release: 10/23/2025

Town Meeting Approves $14.2M Waterline Extension

 

Posted on: October 23, 2025

 

The 118 voters at the Fall Special Town Meeting on October 20 spent about an hour discussing the request to borrow $14.2 million to extend a municipal waterline into the Eagle Drive/Fairview Avenue neighborhood for residential wells affected by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above the state’s drinking water standards.  

 

The next steps are to finish designing the watermain extension, gain permitting, go out for public bidding, and then construction. 

 

“We’re pleased to be advancing a project that delivers a lasting solution for these residents affected by PFAS,” Town Administrator Jonathan Ruda said. 

 

The Town received a $600,000 grant for the design work. Town consultant Tighe & Bond projects the design will be 90% complete in February, which is when permitting will begin. The project is expected to go out to bid in November 2026 with the start of construction in the spring of 2027. Substantial project completion is expected during the summer of 2028 and final site restoration in the spring of 2029.

 

Of the estimated $14.2 million project cost, $10.25 million qualifies for a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan at a 0% interest rate and an anticipated minimum principal forgiveness of 9.9% or $1,014,750. 

 

The portion of the project cost that is ineligible for a 0% interest SRF loan is $3,950,000, which could require a market rate loan at 5% interest for 20 years. 

 

PFAS was discovered in a monitoring well at the town-owned landfill in 2021. In 2022, Gentex Optics Inc. also discovered PFAS in its monitoring well. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has named both the Town and Gentex as equally responsible parties for private wells affected by 

PFAS in that neighborhood. The Town and Gentex continue to maintain a 50% cost sharing agreement for the ongoing costs of mitigating the PFAS. 

 

It is anticipated that the Town and Gentex will cost-share the waterline installation with each party paying 50% or $8.22 million. 

 

The motion approved at town meeting authorized the Board of Selectmen and the Town Administrator to pursue all possible forms of grants, reimbursements, cost-sharing settlements and restitution from potential responsible parties, as determined by the state DEP, and for such funds to be applied to the amount the Town borrows.

 

“In addition to partnering with Gentex to extend the municipal waterline, we’re actively pursuing grant opportunities and recovery funds from national PFAS class action settlements to help offset the Town’s share of the project cost,” Mr. Ruda said, adding, “The waterline will also reduce open-ended expenses by eliminating the need for continued neighborhood testing and minimizing future remediation and monitoring costs. These combined efforts will help the Town manage long-term financial obligations while ensuring safe, reliable drinking water for our residents.”

 

In a separate article, voters shot down a $222,615 borrowing for costs associated with the ongoing mitigation of PFAS in the Eagle Drive/Fairview Avenue neighborhood, as well as capped landfill testing and monitoring as required by state regulations through June 30, 2026.

 

Currently, 15 homes have tested above the DEP allowable drinking water levels of PFAS. POET systems are presently installed in these 15 homes. The DEP has stated it expects to lower the allowable levels of PFAS in 2029, which could necessitate POET installations in 25 additional homes.

 

Maintaining the 15 POET systems by town consultants is estimated to cost $322,700 annually. The cost to maintain an additional 25 POETs, if the DEP lowers its drinking water standards, is estimated at $539,500 annum. 

 

The installation and maintenance of POET systems is mandated by the state DEP. Without a borrowing the Town will seek to fund the anticipated $222,615 cost with general funds when and if they are available.

 

According to the DEP, extending the municipal waterline provides its recommended form of permanently remediating the problem. A waterline will eliminate the need for the installation and operation of POET systems in residential homes. Furthermore, costs of landfill testing and remediation may be reduced by an estimated $46,000 annually.

 

View video of the Town Meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3joeiR0_w4&t=7s