1/20/2011 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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4P people should be ► lling to protect their investment with a wastewater plan so that property value does not decline. Mr. Lyons supports the idea of utilizing the tax base for funding. Mark Davini suggested that there needs to be a fair and balanced distribution of the expense and he compared it to the school system. Although residents may not have students in the school system, a good system serves to improve the quality of life and property value in Mshpee. Commissioners discussed tax rates and the use of units or frontage.for betterments and discussed the fairness of homes With septic systems versus hones connected to sewer systems. Mr. Marcelli stated that residents renaming on septic systems would be required to pay the same amount as residents connected to the suer system and inquired about the possibility of changing the tax base. Chairman Fudala noted that the cost to tie in to the sewer system and sewer rags would assist in funding the system. The Chair referenced Chatham's plan to suer the entire town and place the cost on the tax base in fairness to residents, even though it was not needed to meet the T MDL. The entire town of Mashpee does not need to be sewered to meet the T AI DL but fairness could be provided by maintaining the septic systems of residents and taping over the condominium sever systems. Mr. O'Hara noted that all residents pay the Water District even if they are not hooked up to to water. There was discussion regarding the Water district tax hill and process as well as the T'own's tax rates. Mr. Klenert recommended that a straightforward approach be used to inform the public and that they be advised that all efforts are designed to protect the groundwater. Mr. Klenert suggested the possibility of adding a clean water fee to raise money for clean water preservation. Mr. KI enert added that the project may not be initiated for another 10-15 years, but that the public must be educated during that time. Chairman Fudala stated that the Sewer Commission would not have the legal authority to charge a clean water fee through the Water District. 1r. O'Hara referenced Falmouth"s efforts to fund their suer system and noted the reasonable $385 per year/per household charge in order to fund the entire system. Mr. Klenert expressed concern about increasing fees, such as in Boston. Mr. Baker noted that fees were increased in order to fund a new treatment plant and the outfall pipe. Mr. Lyons noted that with only 10,000 residents,, a small fee may be ineffective. The Chair added that legislation would be necessary to execute Mr. I lenert's suggestion. Mr.Marcedli suggested charging a nominal fee but setting it aside in a dedicated fund. Chairman Fudala stated that it was his belief that it was not legal to charge beyond the town's expenses for services in order to it set wide for future expenses. The Chair added that building the project mint start over the.next few years because the 0 interest rate funds are only available until 2019. Where was discussion about the proposed growth neutral bylaw that must be approved by Town Meeting in order to be eligible for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans. Where was also discussion about the benefits and challenges of growth in 1 .ia.shpee_ Regarding the Public opinion Survey, the Chair noted that respondents supported a combination of tax and betterments or betterments only. Mr_ 0"Hara noted that the survey was distributed last year and that respondents did not have access to information about the cost of the betterments. Dr. Davini suggested that respondents may have believed that they would not be faced with paying a betterment. Mr. Klenert recently inquired about the number of people currently being serviced by wastewater treatment, as well as their demographics. Mr. Baker discussed the variety of fees, such as connection fees, that could be charged with the establishment of a suer 5