Laserfiche WebLink
i <br /> t <br /> that it fits with the growth plan. Chairman Fudala-inquired about the Waquoit Bay MEF report <br /> and.Mr. Potanris responded that it was underway. <br /> Discussion of Sever System Financing tions-Robert dole <br /> Formerly the Executive Director of the Boston water& Sewer Commis" ion, board member of <br /> the MWRA and chair of the 's Finance Committee, Mr. Ciolek now consults with <br /> Barnstable Counter to assist with wastewater-funding rssues in the County..Mr. Ciolek stated <br /> that, in addition to providing advice to towns-regarding wastewater issues on behalf of the <br /> County, he also sits on the Barnstable Finance Committee and-has recommended was ewat r <br /> funding options to arnstable's Town Council. <br /> Mr. Clolek shared with the Commission lessons learned from working with other communities <br /> and noted a fundamental misunderstanding, encouraged by the political environment, which the <br /> SRF loan-would be available to pay for the town's wastewater program. Mr. Ciolek stated that <br /> funds are available but the amount of money requested compared to the amount of funds <br /> r <br /> received would not cover 100%of the costs of wastewater programs, Mr. Ciolek added that <br /> federal funding was being reduced, which will impact the availability of funds at the state level. <br /> Mr. Clolek referenced Barnstable, stating their assumption that '70% of their project would be <br /> funded through the SRF program and assuming a higher interest gate of 3%. Mr. Ciolek noted <br /> that there was tremendous competition for SRF funds and that projects were frequently turned <br /> down or were not fuller funded. <br /> Mr. Ciolek described arnstabl e's use of the meals and hotels motels excise tax which has been <br /> placed in a separate trust fund to be used only for wastewater capital projects: Barnstable <br /> expected to raise approximately $2 million each year and Mr. Ciolek stated that the funds could <br /> purchase $748 million worth of bonds. Mr. Ciolek noted that legislative action was needed to <br /> create a separate dedicated fund. <br /> Mr. Ciolek emphasized that,.when considering the financial aspect of wastewater planning, there <br /> was only one opportunity to do the job well. Mr. Ciolek recommended a conservative approach <br /> for technical and fiscal wastewater planning since it could be-damaging to the public, and an <br /> issue of credibility, to misquote costs on the.low side. Mr. Golek recommended that it was <br /> better to be on the high side than the low side. At the N4WRA, Mr. Ciolek always used the high <br /> side of quotes with the public because prices could be driven up due to the unexpected but also <br /> offered the potential for the project to b under budget. Referencing Barnstable, Mr. Ciolek <br /> noted that the Finance Committee recommended a proposition 21 override for this year, but not <br /> last year. Mr. Ciolek suggested that an override planned for this year mould have allowed an <br /> opportunity to'educate the public about the benefits of the project. The override wiled last year <br /> with no effective public relations campaign. Mr. Ciolek referenced Falmouth's efforts to inform <br /> the public and provide public education materials and recommended that Ma hpee consider <br /> pursuing an educational effort. <br /> i <br /> Regarding litigation, Mr. Ciolek recommended following the Conservation Law Foundation's <br /> lawsuit. Mr, Ciolek referenced his experience with the Boston Harbor Cleanup case and <br /> emphasized the challenges of the process. Mr. Ciolek stated that many cases end up in consent <br /> decree where parties agreed to an end game that would involve tin ng. Mr. Ciolek stated that <br /> the MWRA was given 7 years to spend $4 billion to clean up the problem. The average cost to <br /> the Boston resident went from $400 per year to $1,300 per year during that time'. Mr. Ciolek <br /> 2 <br />