Manchester Finance Committee Approves DPW, Enterprise Operating Budgets, Defers Trash Contract

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — February 12, 2026 — Manchester-by-the-Sea Finance Committee approves six operating budgets and defers trash contract vote pending hauler proposal. The committee, chaired by Sarah Mellish, moved through DPW highway ($1,548,377), snow and ice ($145,000, with member Peter Twiney dissenting), street lighting, facilities ($194,654), enterprise sewer ($1,229,005 as amended), enterprise water ($1,395,369), Town Hall and Common ($71,900), and land management ($277,680) at its February 12 meeting. The panel declined to vote on the curbside solid-waste collection budget after DPW Director Chuck told members the current figure is based on peer-community comparisons rather than a firm contract, with existing hauler Republic Services expected to submit a proposal reflecting "five years of deferred escalation" by month's end. Select Board member Ann Harrison outlined a potential CPC funding arrangement that could reduce the Central Street Rotunda project's required bond from roughly $2.35 million to $2 million, pending approval by the Affordable Housing Trust. No capital votes were taken; those are scheduled for March 5 and March 12.