(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)

Want to know how a small commission keeps a whole town’s sewer system reliable, affordable, and ready for growth? We walk through the practical wins that matter: new variable frequency drive cabinets for the Route 44 pump station, a smart plan for a brief overnight shutdown, and full spare cabinets on hand to slash downtime. You’ll also hear why user billing stays on track for March despite winter delays and how a long-awaited truck is finally nearing delivery after months in upfit.

We step into the field to talk problem-solving: tracing an odor complaint that turned out to be offsite trailers, rebuilding pumps that see daily duty, and installing a redesigned unit that ended chronic ragging at White Street. ARPA funds play a big role this year—seven new generators and transfer switches at critical pump stations, plus three spare pumps for the million-gallon-a-day Route 44 site. Add in fresh carbon media to neutralize odors, bar rack repairs, and ongoing I&I reduction through manhole lining, and you’ve got a clear picture of proactive asset management that saves money and prevents emergencies.

Growth is here, too. Subdivisions on Pine Street are moving fast, and Liberty Way heads to pre-submission. We explain how we coordinate with state roadwork, gas main relocations, and water main replacements to protect sewer laterals and keep projects on schedule. On governance, we post the superintendent role with a minimum starting salary of $95,000, negotiable based on qualifications, and favor a three-year contract with a first-year probationary period. The FY27 budget of $3,184,044 is approved, with standard adjustments pending from town hall. We adopt a modest 4.88% rate change—residential from $492 to $516 annually and commercial from $9.30 to $9.75 per thousand gallons—which still keeps Rainham near the bottom regionally for total sewer costs. The only open question is Taunton’s capital fee exposure; outreach is underway to bring clarity and lock in multi-year stability.

If you care about infrastructure you never want to think about, this is the blueprint: strategic spares, careful timing, fair rates, and steady leadership. Subscribe, share with a neighbor who asks “why did my bill change,” and leave a review with the one improvement you’d prioritize next.

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