1/20/2011 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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x system. Should the Serer Comnfission manage the work associated with connecting homes the s rstern., a betterment could be used to pay for those costs. There was also discussion regarding whether or not residents should be required to tie ire to the suer system. Fran Yanoskiewic , P.E. at Weston& Sampson has experience working with other towns on their wastewater plans and noted that what works in one town may not work in the next town. Mr. Yanoskievficz reported that a Town Meeting vote supporting a town bylaw would be needed in order to require residents to tie in to the-severer system or a Board of Health enforcement due to health hazard. There was also discussion regarding the betterments required in Barnstable. Mr. Yanoskiewicz discussed the use of betterments, which is supposed to be an improvement to the house, but betterment ranges now extend from %-1 %. rir. Yanoskiewicz discussed Chatham's decisionto fund their wastewater plan with the tax base, suggesting that it was based on the demographics.of the town. lir. Yanoskiewicz also discussed interest earnings on the betterment fund and the need to establish an enterprise account. b4r. Baker stated that Mashpee has a betterment reserve fund. Mr. Lyons suggested that, should the project be funded by the tax base, the majority of the money collected will came from residents who do not attend Town Meeting. Individuals who attend the meeting are the lowest 25% income. There was also discussion about seasonal residents in Mashpee and the Chair noted that % of the hones are now year round. Mr. Marcelli' inquired about whether surer assessments could be charged only after project completion. Mr. Yanoskiewicz responded that other towns have utilized estimated betterments to pay for up to °/o of contractor costs during construction_ The Chair inquired about the frequence of towns that adopt a bylaw' r requiring residents to tie into a sewer line. Mr. Yanoskiewicz responded that he has experienced it with a fear towns because funds and volume are needed in order to efficiently run the system. Where was also discussion about residents who initially opted out of being connected to a sever fine.but then requested a connection at a later slate. fir. Baker recommended an entry fee for capital costs in order to ensure that developers pay their fair share of the costs, particularly as it relates to unbuildable lots that eventually become buildable lots. Mr. Yanoskiewicz suggested that the fee is corrunonly referred to as a "privilege fee." Mr. Klenert referenced Mashpee Commons and the Chair stated that the commercial center bylaw allows the Planning Board to authorize, in the future, lots that are smaller prodded they are connected to a public.or private sewer line. The Chair suggested that a small percentage of the cost be a betterment due to the potential increase in property value, Mr. O'Hara agreed but suggested that betterments would be a challenge to promote to residents. Mr. Ilenert inquired about how much the betterment would increase the value of a home. Mr. Marcelli referenced the survey and noted that %of people were unsure about seeking funding through a betterment or taxes. Mr. O"Hara summarized that the Commission was in agreement about utilizing the tax base. Mr. Lyons indicated that the first f eve to 10 years would be costly and that a betterment would provide bump money to fand the initial expenses. Mr. Lyons recommended drafting the Commission's thoughts in order to discuss it further. Mr. Baker inquired about cash flaw and Mr. Lyons responded that feedback would be necessary prior to attaching numbers to the scenarios. Mr. Lyon'added that the survey was likely to be 20% accurate and that more information would be needed for more accurate responses.