Whitman DPW Commission backs $970,000 in water and sewer capital for town meeting

WHITMAN -- April 8, 2026, Whitman DPW Commission advances nearly $1 million in water and sewer capital articles for the May 4 Annual Town Meeting. Water Superintendent Dave Cook presented four articles funded entirely from the enterprise account: $45,000 for a permanent generator at Belcher Drive, $49,900 to replace control systems at five pump stations, $225,000 for redundant generators at the two main stations, and $650,000 for a hydro-excavating vacuum truck needed to meet a state DEP mandate requiring inspection of 2,766 service lines. Cook told the board that contracting the excavation work out would cost roughly $1.3 million, making the truck cost-effective within 18 months and saving an additional $30,000 to $50,000 annually in sewer cleanout contracts. The board also unanimously approved a $200,000 transfer from the solid waste line to offset a $242,000 snow and ice deficit, and commissioners signaled firm opposition to any effort to redirect Chapter 90 road funds toward the $220,000 TIP project article also headed to town meeting.