Billerica Finance Committee tables sewer and water articles over open-ended warrant language

BILLERICA — April 7, 2026 — Billerica Finance Committee tables most spring warrant articles over disputed open-ended budget language. The committee spent the bulk of its April 7 session debating a phrase — "or any other sum of money" — added to multiple enterprise-fund warrant articles by Town Counsel after the preliminary warrant was published, with members calling it a "blank check" incompatible with their statutory obligation to make specific appropriations recommendations. Articles tabled include a $3.1 million State Revolving Fund borrowing for emergency repair of a deteriorated sewer main along Lowell Street that crosses the Concord River, a $1 million inflow-and-infiltration investigation, and a $175,000 aeration blower completion. "Flexibility equals ambiguity, and we cannot in good conscience make an informed recommendation to town meeting on something that's ambiguous," said member Brian. The committee did recommend the FY2027 water enterprise budget of roughly $7.1 million, a $305,000 DPW equipment package including a crane truck and cemetery mower, and acceptance of six unaccepted public ways. Town Manager Chris committed to returning with a redlined warrant comparison and a formal Town Counsel response before the next Finance Committee session.