The Plymouth Advisory and Finance Committee moved to address rising operational costs within the town’s utility infrastructure on Wednesday, advancing a $512,000 budget amendment for the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund. Water/Sewer Superintendent Doug Panad explained that the request is primarily driven by external market pressures on essential services. Panad told the committee that the funding is needed mostly it's for chemical cost increase and the delivery of those chemicals, and also sludge disposal increases and transportation of sludge. He emphasized that because the department operates as an enterprise fund, the increase does not impact the general tax levy.

During the discussion, committee members scrutinized the efficiency of current operations. Mr. Snider questioned a $30,000 annual expenditure for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitoring equipment, suggesting the town might benefit from purchasing the gear rather than renting it. It seems to me like spending 30,000 a year, even if it's a lot of money, put it out over 20, 30 years and we get proper training for staff, it would save us some money, Snider noted. Panad countered that the rental agreement includes specialized monitoring that results in chemical savings far exceeding the equipment costs. Mr. Dinto also inquired about energy efficiency, asking if electricity savings from the recent GAP 3 project were reflected in the current figures. Looking toward long-term infrastructure shifts, Mr. Malagudi remarked, I think it's a fair time that we start a more expedited look at going for an anaerobic digester so we can use it as a combined heat and power and also dispose of the waste in a more efficient manner. Motion Made by K. Kading to approve Article 6 budget amendments totaling $512,000. Motion Passed (10-0-0).

The committee also focused on the town’s regulatory framework, hearing a request for $10,800 to fund a comprehensive codification of Plymouth’s zoning bylaws. Town Clerk Meredith McGelry explained that a professional vendor would be contracted to review the bylaws for any discrepancies within the bylaws themselves, any discrepancies with state law, or any discrepancies maybe even with our charter or general bylaws. Ms. Tompkins sought clarification on the project’s duration, asking, Is there an estimated timeline on that final product? McGelry estimated a total timeline of approximately two years, including a six-to-nine-month drafting period before the document returns to the town meeting for final approval. Mr. Snider raised concerns about ensuring the vendor does not inadvertently change the intent of the laws during the cleanup process, though McGelry noted she interpreted past updates as just updating to current times rather than substantive changes. Motion Made by S. O'Connor to approve Article 22. Motion Passed (10-0-0).

A decades-old clerical error regarding access to the White Horse Cemetery was also addressed. Town Engineer Rick Bossy explained that while a 12-foot wide access easement at 16 Cedar Road was agreed upon in 1973, the follow through to record the easement plan and documents at the registry of deeds did not happen. The oversight recently caused complications when a driveway was constructed outside the original intended area. Mr. Malagudi questioned whether a fence on the property was being moved back toward the property line, which Bossy confirmed would occur with the neighbor's cooperation. Jillian Dwire, the resident at 16 Cedar Road, expressed her support for the resolution, stating she was just here to document and record that yes, we are in agreement with the proposed plan of the easement. Motion Made by B. Snider to approve Article 24. Motion Passed (10-0-0).

In other financial business, the committee addressed a $2,975 request for unpaid medical bills from a previous fiscal year. Human Resource Director Jackie Gurnie explained the town did not receive the invoices from its Third Party Administrator, Gary, prior to the end of the fiscal year, nor were they identified as outstanding during our end-of-year review. Motion Made by B. Butler to approve Article 5 for $2,975. Motion Passed (10-0-0).

The meeting concluded with public comment from resident Kevin Lynch, who proposed the formation of a Financial Oversight Committee to provide the public with simplified executive summaries of town finances. Lynch stated such a group would ensure residents don't have to hear kind of second-hand about a fiscal cliff. The Chair responded by encouraging Lynch to consider specific metrics that would be useful for the public, asking him to define the dials on your dashboard that would clearly communicate the town's financial health.