Requesting authorization to borrow $1,800,000 in a bond, and to appropriate the same amount for the annual recurring FY 2024 Sewer System Evaluation & Infiltration/Inflow Assessment.

To the Honorable City Council: The Mayor respectfully requests that this Council appropriate $1,800,000 in order to fund the cost of a sewer system evaluation study and an infiltration/inflow assessment. To meet this appropriation, the Treasurer will be authorized to borrow the same amount as provided by MGL Chapter 44. Debt service will be paid from the Sewer Enterprise Fund. The capital investment will provide the professional services and related equipment required to identify deficiencies and design repair/rehabilitation for the City's sanitary, drain, and combined sewer system. The work will include, but is not limited to, internal inspections, flow tests, asset management database updates, project prioritization, design, and other related efforts to facilitate capital improvements to the City's systems. Appropriate staff will be available to answer any questions about this bond you may have. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. Respectfully, Katjana Ballantyne, Mayor