3/29/2011 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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noted that there.were.2 million people in' he metropolitan Boston area to raise billion. Cape Cod has a population of 215,000 people with a need for $344 billion, Mr. Ciolek further noted that, in Barnstable, half of the residents would become customers of the wastewater system, which he estimated at 13 times the-cost of cleaning up Boston Harbor. Mr. Ciolek recommended following the course of the litigation in order to identify the probable endgame, and how the money will be spent. Mr. Ciolek suggested that money could be spent on improvements to Title V and Title v remedies and implications to the Cwt. Additionally, it may be suggested that the best way to resolve the issue could be on a regional basis which would save money on planning activities. Mr. Ciolek noted that the CLF has chosen a difficult course of action but stated that there will be an impact on the Cape* Mir. Ciolek recommended closely watching and supporting the joint legislative commWee at the State House, chaired by Senator Eldridge, which bas been working to develop a new funding source for water and wastewater programs. The Committee expecte_d to recommend a plan to the legislature in June, which could provide increased state.money as a match. Finally, Mr. Ciolek reported that Barnstable and Yarmouth had considered the most appropriate organization to facilitate the management and funding of the wastewater program and recommended that Mashpee also consider the issue. Mr. Ciplek referenced the-organizational structure of a typical ater district that could utilise all principle sources of funding such a betterments, fees for water usage and assessment of real estate taxes through the assessors. The water district would allow flexibility to use all sources of revenue in order to raise the necessary funds for operating expenses and debt service. It would also ensure that everyone who benefitted from the system would pay their fair share. Mr. Klenert inquired about the availability of funds for rregional seer treatment plants versus town owned plants. lir. Ciolek indicated that funds would be available for both and noted that. the County was closely considering the issue particularly as a defendant in the lawsuit. Mr. Ciolek suggested that, in reviewing a number of towns" wastewater plans, the Cape does not need the number of wastewater trent plans anticipated.- Mr- Ciolek stated that a community of 2 1 , 00 would need a number of small or medium sized, geographically placed plants, but not one or more plants for every community. Mr. Ciolek noted that money could be saved by communities jointly managing or owning plants, Mr. Klenert noted that there has been discussion about a regional plant at the base and inquired whether there was discussion at the state level but Mr. Ciolek responded that he had not heard discussion at the state level. Mr. Marcelll referenced the fiscal plan and the provision of estimates to homeowners and inquired about the impact of the costs on low income and moderate income residents and whether or not those individuals would be forced to leave the gape. Mr, Ciolek responded that Barnstable considered the provision of financial relief to those property owners who coup not afford to pay their water and sewer bills. Mr. Ciolek noted that all communities would need to tale the issue into consideration. Mr. Ciolek suggested that residents leaving the Cape could be n issue but that they would likely leave for other reasons. fir. Marcelli inquired about.the proportion of property taxes and betterments and whether there was an advantage to funding the program completely by property taxes. Mr. Ciolek stated that the Barnstable Finance Committee recommended two approaches, the first of which eliminated betterments entirely, It was determined that betterments should not be used since %of residents would be funding the project which would total up to $70,000 per house before hookup fees, and would be unrealistic. t 3