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Meeting report · Board of Directors
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Board of Directors — March 19, 2026

The meeting was characterized by high-stakes financial discussions and strong public opposition regarding water safety and municipal spending priorities.

Date Thursday, March 19, 2026 Duration 2.7h Speakers 18 Public comments 3 Decisions 3 Spirited
▶ Video

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Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

Manchester residents need to prepare for significant increases in both property taxes and utility bills. During the Board of Directors meeting on March 19, the Town Manager presented a fiscal outlook that includes a proposed 8.66% increase in the mill rate—a jump the Manager noted is much larger than the historical norm.

In addition to higher taxes, the town is proposing a multi-year phase-in of utility rate hikes: 15% for water and 10% for sewer. These increases are being framed as necessary to manage infrastructure needs and the rising costs of complying with new EPA mandates for PFAS remediation.

Of concern was the Board’s response to public testimony. Residents voiced urgent fears regarding PFAS contamination in our drinking water, specifically asking for more studies on contamination sources and the option to access higher-quality MDC water. While the Board discussed the logistical and financial difficulty of meeting federal mandates, they did not directly address the specific safety and access concerns raised by the community.

Watch the upcoming budget workshops. The municipal budget is targeted for adoption on May 12, 2026.

Mar 19, 2026 2.7h long 18 speakers 3 public comments 3 decisions Spirited
❝ Notable statements ↔ Drag to browse

“Once [the EPA] set that limit in 2024, we went from only having to do remediation at one site to all of our sites, so four.”

— Unidentified speaker · Explaining the increased cost and complexity of PFAS compliance. ▶ 08:18

“To me, the biggest challenge in local government management right now is human capital.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing the difficulty of staffing specialized municipal roles. ▶ 38:47

“The proposed mill rate increase that I'm presenting is much larger than has been the historic norm.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing the fiscal pressures facing the town budget. ▶ 1:37:38

“The manager's recommended mill rate increase will not be the final mill rate number.”

— Unidentified speaker · Clarifying that the proposed 8.66% increase is a starting point for board workshops and negotiations. ▶ 1:50:32

“I would voice opposition to increasing the risk to our fund balance... these are structural issues.”

— Unidentified speaker · Addressing the option of using the 'rainy day fund' to cover the budget deficit. ▶ 2:25:05

“I am going to recommend we adopt [the budget] on May 12th... we'll be able to see if there's more state aid coming in.”

— Unidentified speaker · Setting the target date for budget adoption to coincide with the release of the state budget. ▶ 2:40:23
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

15% increase for water and 10% for sewer phased in over three years

What was discussed

8.66% proposed increase in the mill rate

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, SPEAKER_Polin
What was discussed

The board moved to appoint Director Lentini as the Acting Secretary for the duration of the meeting.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

A detailed presentation on the budget requests for FY27, focusing on regulatory compliance, infrastructure challenges, and proposed rate increases.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion regarding the costs and timelines for treating PFAS in water wells and replacing lead service lines to meet federal mandates.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Overview of meter replacement programs, water/sewer main replacement, SCADA systems, and dam maintenance at Buckingham Dam.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion on high turnover, an aging workforce, and the difficulty of recruiting specialized technical roles in municipal government.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Presentation of a proposed three-year phase-in of rate increases (15% for water and 10% for sewer) to fund capital and operational needs.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The presentation of the overall municipal budget, noting fiscal headwinds such as inflation, decreasing state aid, and loss of tax revenue from non-profits. The Town Manager presented a proposed mill rate of 43.27 (an 8.66% increase from 39.82) to address rising costs, decreasing state aid, and loss of tax revenue from nonprofit transfers and commercial property devaluations.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion on the financial impact of Hartford HealthCare's nonprofit status (approx. $2.7M annual loss), the declining value of Buckland Hills Mall, and the effects of state-mandated vehicle tax depreciation schedules.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The Town Manager highlighted that flat state funding for education and Alliance grants, combined with unfunded mandates like veteran tax exemptions, shifts the tax burden onto local property owners.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Residents raised concerns regarding PFAS contamination in the drinking water and the need for prioritized investment in aging sewer and wastewater infrastructure over commercial real estate.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

FY27 Water and Sewer Rate Increases

The proposal includes significant multi-year rate hikes (15% for water and 10% for sewer) to address infrastructure and PFAS compliance, directly impacting household utility costs.
Board position: The board is reviewing the proposal, with the Town Manager presenting it as a necessity to fund capital needs and regulatory compliance.
high concern
02

FY27 Municipal Budget and Mill Rate Increase

The Town Manager proposed an 8.66% increase in the mill rate (to 43.27) due to declining state aid, loss of non-profit tax revenue, and commercial property devaluation.
Board position: The board is currently in the workshop phase; the Town Manager cautioned that this is a starting point for negotiations.
high concern
03

PFAS Contamination

Residents expressed fear regarding cancer risks and water safety, while the town faces massive new costs due to EPA mandates.
Board position: The board is focused on the fiscal and logistical challenge of meeting federal remediation mandates.
high concern

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
3
Total speakers
0
Addressed
1
Partial
2
Not addressed
Jennifer Lombardi
▶ 2:40:47
Not addressed
The speaker expressed deep concern regarding PFAS contamination in the local water supply and its potential health risks, such as cancer. She requested more studies to understand the source of the contamination and expressed a desire to be able to purchase MDC water if it provides better quality. Key concern
Water quality and PFAS contamination risks.
The speaker finished her comment and the board moved to the next speaker without providing a direct response to her specific concerns about PFAS or MDC water access.
Steve Allard
▶ 2:40:47
Not addressed
The speaker criticized the town's fiscal priorities, arguing that money should be spent on infrastructure like sewers and drainage rather than 'visionary' projects like the new library. He also suggested the town should be more aggressive in selling acquired properties and managing revenue losses from the mall. Key concern
Misaligned fiscal priorities and lack of focus on essential infrastructure.
The board did not respond to his criticisms; they simply thanked him and moved to the next speaker.
Bonnie Pataki
▶ 2:40:47
Partial
The speaker urged the town to prioritize wastewater treatment and aging infrastructure over commercial real estate development. She also expressed concern about the addition of new town positions and the potential strain on water and sewer systems due to housing developments. Key concern
Prioritizing infrastructure/wastewater upgrades over commercial development and managing staff growth.
Board response
The Town Manager corrected her regarding the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in the Town Manager's office, stating they have actually seen a reduction.
The Town Manager addressed her concern regarding new positions in his office by providing specific data, but did not address her broader points regarding real estate development or infrastructure priorities.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Appointment of Director Lentini as Acting Secretary
Motion by Vice Chair to appoint Director Lentini, seconded by Director Polin.
Passed 7-0
Adjournment of the Water and Sewer Workshop
Motion to adjourn by Vice Chair Jones, seconded by Director Boland.
Passed
Adjournment of the meeting
Motion made by Secretary Lentini and seconded by Director Frey.
Unanimous (Aye)

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Proposed mill rate increase and fiscal impact
Manchester residents: The Town Manager is proposing an 8.66% mill rate increase for FY27. This is significantly higher than the historical norm and comes as the town faces declining state aid and lost tax revenue. Stay... https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/ #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT
319/280 chars
Water and sewer rate increases
Utility costs are headed up. The proposed FY27 budget includes a three-year phase-in of rate increases: 15% for water and 10% for sewer. These hikes are intended to fund infrastructure and PFAS remediation. Your monthly... https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/ #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT
320/280 chars
Dismissed community concerns regarding water safety
During the 3/19 Board meeting, residents raised urgent concerns about PFAS contamination and water safety. While the Board discussed the high costs of EPA mandates, they did not directly address resident requests for... https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/ #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT
317/280 chars

X thread

1
Manchester is facing a period of significant financial and utility hikes. At the March 19 Board of Directors meeting, several high-impact proposals were laid out that will directly affect every resident's wallet. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT
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2
First, the tax burden: The Town Manager proposed an 8.66% increase in the mill rate (to 43.27). This is a major jump driven by declining state aid, commercial property devaluations, and loss of non-profit tax revenue. This is just the starting point for negotiations.
267/280
3
Second, utility bills: A proposed three-year phase-in will see water rates rise by 15% and sewer rates by 10%. The town cites the need to fund critical infrastructure and the massive costs of meeting new federal PFAS compliance mandates.
237/280
4
Finally, a gap in accountability: Residents used public comment to demand answers on PFAS contamination sources and access to MDC water. While the Board focused on the 'cost' of compliance, they offered no direct response to these specific safety concerns. https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/
280/280

Facebook — long form

Manchester residents need to prepare for significant increases in both property taxes and utility bills. During the Board of Directors meeting on March 19, the Town Manager presented a fiscal outlook that includes a proposed 8.66% increase in the mill rate—a jump the Manager noted is much larger than the historical norm.

In addition to higher taxes, the town is proposing a multi-year phase-in of utility rate hikes: 15% for water and 10% for sewer. These increases are being framed as necessary to manage infrastructure needs and the rising costs of complying with new EPA mandates for PFAS remediation.

Of concern was the Board’s response to public testimony. Residents voiced urgent fears regarding PFAS contamination in our drinking water, specifically asking for more studies on contamination sources and the option to access higher-quality MDC water. While the Board discussed the logistical and financial difficulty of meeting federal mandates, they did not directly address the specific safety and access concerns raised by the community.

Watch the upcoming budget workshops. The municipal budget is targeted for adoption on May 12, 2026. https://meetingwatch.org/ct/manchester/board-of-directors/2026-03-19/ #MeetingWatch #ManchesterCT

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Explore additional PFAS lawsuits on the wastewater side.
Assigned: Water Department
Conduct an I&I (Inflow and Infiltration) study for the sewer system.
Assigned: Water Department
Investigate the possibility of issuing longer-term debt to potentially lower immediate rate increases.
Assigned: Water Department/Town Manager
Adopt the municipal budget
Assigned: Board of Directors · Due: 2026-05-12
Provide budget reduction options totaling at least 3% of their operating budgets for consideration in workshops
Assigned: Department Heads
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-30.