Fairhaven Town Meeting Asked to Borrow $20 Million More for Sewer Upgrade

FAIRHAVEN -- November 9, 2023, Fairhaven Town Meeting faces a $20 million borrowing request to complete an EPA-mandated wastewater plant upgrade with a total estimated cost of $71 million. Public Works Superintendent Vinnie Furtado told the November 9 session that three bids were received for the project, with the lowest just over $62 million; after contingencies, engineering, and insurance, the full tab reaches $71 million, leaving the town on the hook for roughly $51 million after loan forgiveness, a Mattapoisett cost share of more than $11 million, ARPA funds, and existing capital reserves are counted. Town Meeting had previously approved $50 million in borrowing; the new article seeks the additional $20 million needed to proceed. Furtado warned that waiting to rebid would trigger a new Build America, Buy America requirement through the state revolving fund, adding an estimated 20 to 30 percent to project costs. The average single-person sewer customer currently pays $132 every six months; Furtado estimated that figure will rise by $70 to $80 under the 30-year financing plan, a potential increase of more than 50 percent.