Council approves sewer budget as town begins enterprise-fund transition; staff points to rising backup claims

Cumberland’s Town Council approved the sewer department budget for FY2024–25 and heard from the mayor and staff about plans to treat sewer as a true enterprise fund, conduct a sewer rate study, and address aging infrastructure.

Mayor Muddam said the town is working to "legitimize" the sewer fund as an enterprise fund and cited forthcoming infrastructure work and a sewer rate study to align user charges with capital needs. Town staff described increases to insurance line items driven by large claims from backups into private properties — staff cited prior claims of $40,000 and $80,000 as examples — and identified older mains in areas such as Ashton Mills and Berkeley Village that require capital investment.

Councilors asked whether quarry-area blasting had affected sewer mains; staff replied they have no reports of damage to sewer mains in the Cumberland Hill quarry area. Councilor Bradley raised the topic of backflow prevention; staff confirmed backflow preventers are being required on new hookups to help avert future claims.

The sewer ordinance passed by roll call 6–1, with Councilor Bradley voting no. Town staff said they will proceed with the rate study and capital planning to reduce backups and long-term claims exposure.