During budget discussion on Jan. 13 the Lakeville Library Board of Trustees examined recent unusually high water charges tied to the library’s irrigation and building service and discussed the town’s plan to bring a new well online to serve the library and a nearby historic townhouse site.

Why it matters: Trustees said water charges have been markedly higher than budgeted in some months and that, until the town well and irrigation work are fully operational, the library may face elevated monthly bills and possible budget pressure.

Trustees and staff described operational history: the library previously used a local well (Loon Pond/Ted Williams camp references in the meeting) and at times has been switched to town water; repeated pump or control problems had required switching back to town service to avoid system shutdowns. The director noted one recent bill cited during the meeting was roughly $1,900 and said the library has recorded months with bills many times the normal amounts. The board heard that the town intends to use ARPA funds for the new well; trustees asked for a clearer timeline and said they would expect the FY26 budget cover letter to call out the water‑cost risk if the well is not operational this summer.

Trustees also asked facilities staff to confirm who pays which bills for the library site and the adjacent historic townhouse property, because the utility arrangements had been reorganized in recent years and in some months both sites appeared to affect the single meter used for the library account. Paul Nee, facilities manager, and trustees agreed to follow up with town accounting and the building commissioner to clarify which department will carry the water cost and whether reimbursement arrangements with the historical commission remain in place.

Next steps: the director will include language about recent water charges and the potential need for FY26 contingency funding in the budget cover letter; facilities and town accounting staff will report back to trustees with clarification on billing responsibility and the well project timeline.