The Select Board on Tuesday heard from Department of Public Works director Kerry Reed about elevated levels of manganese detected in Wells 7 and 8.

Reed previously discussed the issue with the two wells at the Water & Sewer Advisory Board (WSAB) meeting on Feb. 18. They are commonly referred to as the Alprilla Farm wells because of their location off Alprilla Farm Road. The wells were constructed as part of the Legacy Farms housing community, she said.

Manganese occurs naturally in drinking water because it is a common component of rocks, soil and groundwater. Reed noted that the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) found that the finished water it tested over the past year contained manganese levels above the advisory level of 0.3 parts per liter.

“The concern about this is that, over your lifetime, if you are exposed to too much that it could have health impacts,” said Reed.

She stressed that that this is an advisory limit, not a regulatory one. The concern about elevated levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS in the water over the past few years was a regulatory one. It prompted the installation of a water filtration system at Well 6, the town’s main water supply, in June 2024.

The DPW’s corrective action plan included a deep cleaning of the wells, public outreach and monitoring. The ultimate solution, Reed said, is the town’s plan to connect to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority system.

“We are seeing the levels go up as we’re seeing the demand continue to be high,” Reed explained. She noted that the DPW and Conservation Commission have repeatedly stressed water conservation, as the town has been in a mild drought state.

At this meeting, Reed demonstrated what manganese contamination looks like. She showed the board a water sample taken directly from Well 7. The container had sludge in the bottom. After Reed shook it, the water became completely discolored. She said this is what happens in the pipes during periods of high water usage.

Stressed Reed: “It’s more of an aesthetics issue and a taste issue than it is a health issue.”

She added that infants a year old or younger should have formula made with bottled water as a precaution rather than tap water.

Meeting in works to discuss concerns

This statement prompted member Matthew Kizner to question Reed.

“What I’m concerned about is that it’s starting to sound like the beginning of the alarm going off,” he said, noting that it is an issue of “public perception.”

Added Kizner: “It is not an acceptable condition for the public utility to be generating risk for the user population, no matter how small.”

Reed stressed that there was a deep cleansing of the two wells. She pointed out that these wells usually are turned off, unless there is a high water demand. When they are on, the water that customers receive is a mix from multiple wells, which dilutes the manganese level.

Member Brian Herr asked about the amount of Well 7 and 8 water in the town’s water tanks. Reed estimated it at around 10%.

Vice chair Shahidul Mannan, who chaired the meeting in the absence of chair Joe Clark, called for a deeper discussion at a future Select Board meeting. He suggested including Reed along with WSAB and Board of Health members to help educate the public about any potential health concerns.

CV license renewals held up

The board voted 4-0 to extend the final two common victualer (CV) licenses slated for renewal until April 8 because the company’s new exit sign equipment is on order.

Lazarus explained that the CV licenses for the Aramark at Dell locations at 176 South Street and 228 South Street need to be extended again. The outstanding items at both sites are the 90-minute emergency lighting test and the replacement of bulbs and batteries in the exit signs.

At a previous meeting, regional facilities manager Mark Lacasse said he proposed to Dell a “holistic replacement of all the exit signs” and was waiting to get approval. The current lights would work on a backup generator in an emergency.

Earlier that day, Lazarus received an email from Dell. The company paid $200,000 for 700 exit signs for the two properties. But the supplier “sent the wrong type.”

Dell is “now on track” to receive all 700 signs by March 9. They will be installed by March 28, according to the email.

PILOT for solar facility discussed

The board reviewed a draft payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement for the owner of the Agilitas solar facility located at 69 Frankland Road. Herr recused himself from voting because of his role in the solar industry.

Lazarus explained that the draft PILOT agreement was negotiated by the Assessors Office and the former town counsel. It is a 25-year agreement and only applies to personal property taxes, not real estate taxes. Personal property is defined as the solar farm equipment and panels installed on the property.

“The agreement is structured so that the town won’t lose any revenue it otherwise would have collected over the PILOT term,” she added. There are existing PILOT agreements with other solar farms in town.

The PILOT is included in a warrant article for Annual Town Meeting on May 2. It will be discussed at a future meeting.

Lazarus: Tax refund delays not town’s fault

The board addressed a concern raised at a previous meeting that nearly 100 teachers and public safety workers had not received their 2024 federal income tax refunds.

“The IRS did not indicate to the town that its delays were related to anything connected to the town’s tax filings,” Lazarus explained. “The town performed all its tax filings on time and correctly.

“The IRS is a federal agency,” she continued, noting that the IRS has had significant layoffs. “The town has no control over what they do and when they do it.”

Some employees were issued corrected W-2 forms due to dental and vision coverage amounts appearing in the wrong boxes, she added.

Kyla LaPierre, the town’s chief financial officer, said this did not impact the income amount shown. The returns did not need to be refiled.

School Committee chair Kyla McSweeney said, “Everybody in the schools has gotten the right information and in a timely manner.”

The affected town employees were given a phone number so that they could address their concerns directly with the IRS.

“Many people took a bat to the Town Manager’s Office and town staff employees that were not involved in this process,” Kizner said. “I did not appreciate it.”

He added that the town switched to a different financial software company.