East Lyme commission approves FY27 maintenance contract and equipment transfers, discusses sodium spike in consumer report

The East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission on June 16 approved several routine but consequential items: a FY27 maintenance contract increase for Spre (a 5% CPI-based adjustment), two capital transfers to fund a new pickup/truck and sewer equipment, and payment of a vendor invoice.

Staff recommended a standard 5% CPI increase to the Spre contract for FY27, saying the overall contract is renewed annually and the proposal reflected typical index-based adjustments. "Literally took these values and added 5% to them," a staff member said. The commission moved to approve the FY27 Spre agreement and authorized the chairman to sign; the motion passed by voice vote.

Separately, commissioners approved two transfers to move operating funds into capital accounts so purchases could proceed across the fiscal year boundary: $89,221.40 to create an account for a new water pickup and plow, and $132,000 to fund sewer vehicle/body work, two grinder pumps and two automatic transfer switches. Both motions were seconded and carried.

The commission also reviewed month-end financials as of June 16: water had an available cash balance of about $698,693 and had collected approximately 104.25% of its budgeted revenues for the year; sewer available cash was about $362,214 and had collected about 96.94% of its budgeted revenues. Staff said interfund transfers remain and a reconciliation is expected in coming months.

During review of the annual Consumer Confidence Report, commissioners raised a question about sodium data after staff noted Well 4 recorded a higher salinity spike this past year. Staff said the report follows EPA/state reporting rules and that the document reports highest-detected system-wide values rather than per-well averages; they agreed to consider whether sodium merits clearer highlighting in future versions. "We did stay within our diversion permit," staff said, and the report had been accepted by Connecticut regulators for compliance.

The meeting also included updates on flushing work (more than 300 flushed points completed) and progress on capital planning, including potential rehabilitation of the Roxberry tank and an easement discussion for a Bribrook pump station site. The commission adjourned after routine business.