Watertown Public Works Commission Meeting | September 9, 2026

The City of Watertown Public Works Commission held a meeting on September 9, 2026, focusing on several procurement and infrastructure topics. The commission approved a resolution to declare official intent to reimburse expenditures from borrowing for the Alderman Lift Station and Force Main project, with a loan amount not to exceed $4 million. They also approved the purchase of a HOT NP600 phosphate analyzer with warranty from Energenex for $60,510 to improve wastewater treatment operations. Additionally, the commission approved change order number two to contract 6-26 with Wolf Paving for additional street resurfacing work, funded by available budget in the bituminous surfacing contract. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the city's substantial infrastructure backlog, estimated at over $150 million, primarily driven by deteriorating streets and associated water and sewer systems. The commission emphasized the need for long-term capital planning and budget prioritization to address these critical infrastructure needs, including potential funding challenges due to stagnant revenue and population decline. The discussion also touched on the Alderman Lift Station rebuild and the possibility of implementing a wheel tax to fund infrastructure improvements.