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3 <br /> Finance Committee <br /> Minutes <br /> February 11, 2021 <br /> NEW BUSINESS <br /> Presentation from Town Manager: None at this time. <br /> Discussion of Wastewater Project: <br /> The Finance Committee recently met with the Select Board and Town Manager's for the purpose <br /> of discussing matters associated to the Wastewater Project. <br /> A conceptual discussion followed regarding several questions; residents who may have Town <br /> water and private wastewater treatment systems would they be billed for water usage and/or <br /> operational costs related to the Town's wastewater treatment plant? Many homes and <br /> condominiums are served by private WTP's and are supplied water and make payment towards <br /> operational costs from private WTP's. When the Town constructs its WTP would the residents <br /> on private WTP's pay for water usage only or would they pay for operational costs as well, and <br /> thus assume payment for(2) WTP systems? <br /> When the first phase of the Town of Mashpee wastewater treatment facility is operational would <br /> the cost be borne by those connected to the system or would the entire town be billed as with <br /> other functions such as the schools? <br /> Mr. Brady disclosed that he represents several residents in the New Seabury community. <br /> New Seabury maintains its own wastewater treatment facility. New homes are being connected <br /> into the system. Approximately 1,400 homes are not connected. The wastewater treatment <br /> facility planned for the Town of Mashpee in Phase I would not impact residents in New Seabury, <br /> those who are not connected. It is projected that all independent wastewater systems in the <br /> Town of Mashpee would be incorporated into wastewater design and engineering expectations in <br /> the future. <br /> Wastewater is a subset of public water usage. Within Phase I of the project scope the homes <br /> having municipal water and those utilizing wells would be determined. There was a question <br /> regarding the type of fee to be imposed, a water bill or a tax. If a tax was assessed through real <br /> estate,there would be a tax reduction benefit. If the cost is assessed through a water bill there is <br /> no benefit for a reduction. It was noted the Water District collects a portion of the real estate tax <br /> separate from the water usage bill. <br /> If the wastewater cost is operational it would be assumed by the Town Manager's budget and <br /> funded through taxes, most likely on a quarterly basis as real estate taxes are issued. <br /> Although there are (5)phases in the Wastewater Plan, and all phases may not be required. <br /> If the vote fails at Town Meeting, it is probable a suit would be filed against the Town. <br />