West Brookfield Approves Appointments, Hears Warning of Back-to-Back Water Rate Increases

Select Board · Meeting of July 7, 2026

West Brookfield Select Board approves municipal appointments and hears warning of consecutive water rate increases to fund a $6.76 million treatment plant. Water Commission Chair Phil Guerin told the board July 7 that the Leland Road Water Treatment Plant — ordered by MassDEP to address iron and manganese contamination — carries a total cost of $6.762 million, secured in part through a $6.24 million State Revolving Fund loan, a $500,000 MassDEP grant, and a congressional spending grant of just over $1 million. The Water Commission plans to vote at its July 13 meeting on a rate increase holding the quarterly base charge at $85 while raising the consumption rate to $7.50 per 100 cubic feet, adding roughly $15 per quarterly bill for the average customer — an 11 percent increase — with another 11 percent increase anticipated in FY28.

The board also voted unanimously to reinstate a part-time police officer position after two full-time officers who received layoff notices resigned before the July 1 effective date, rendering those layoffs moot, though union contract language had already required part-time layoffs to proceed. The board rejected a request from drop-off center operator Joe Bulakowski to participate in the senior tax work-off program due to his status as a current town employee, and voted against allowing recently retired town accountant Donna Allard — who served nine years and two months — to enroll in the town's retirement health insurance plan, which requires 10 years of service.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,858 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.