Wilbraham water board reviews $1.06 million in outstanding utility balances as 2026 budget is presented

The Wilbraham Board of Water Commissioners reviewed utility billing and collections at its May 8 meeting and heard a presentation of the town’s proposed 2026 water and wastewater budget.

Billing dated April 24, 2026, with a May 26 due date, showed outstanding balances of $700,614.36 for water and $358,088.44 for sewer, a combined total of $1,059,402.80. The board approved one water abatement, accepted one hardship request with a payment plan and waived demand and interest fees, and approved three additional water/sewer hardship requests with waivers of demand and interest fees. The minutes do not record individual vote tallies for those approvals.

The final 2026 water/wastewater budget was presented to the board with revisions noted to health insurance, pension costs, water system infrastructure spending and the Miller Street project. A motion was made to accept the budget as presented; the minutes record the motion but do not record the vote or final outcome for that motion.

Commissioner John Caltabiano raised an ongoing billing issue tied to the Friendly’s bankruptcy. The minutes state the total amount currently owed in that matter is $104,264.44. The Division of Local Services contacted the Collector’s Office on April 21, 2026, asking that bankruptcy-related balances be removed from current water and sewer bills; Assistant Treasurer/Collector Barbara Hancock is coordinating with an auditing firm and Town Counsel on next steps.

The board recorded routine operational reports on water flows and MWRA items and set its next meeting for June 12, 2026, at Bartlett Court. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.