07/17/2023 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Mashpee Select Board-Sewer Commission Minutes July 17, 2023 Discussion, Approval of Comprehensive Watershed Nitrogen Management Plan (“CWMP”) Phase II or Modifications: Presentation by the Town Manager and GHD, Inc. of Options for Joint Review, Modifications and Approval: (continued) Option #9: Removes nitrogen load from properties, more immediate nitrogen removal impact, Provides artery to future northern sewer sheds including Mashpee-Wakeby & Santuit Ponds, Portion of sewer in Santuit Pond watershed. Requires complex permitting process to increase recharge capacity. Would require Town assistance. The menu of the (9) different options was considered and weighed upon for matters of importence such as cost, connection, impact, density, phasing, effectiveness, efficiency, benefit, the urgency for clean waters and the overall tax burden. Guidance was requested from the project engineers GHD, Inc. as the deadline for the SRF application of August 11, 2023 is impending. In response, it was stated that all areas have to be done, and the Town needs to think of the order as the cost of the options are fairly different. As the options were debated it was agreed Option #9 which includes Option #4 and Portions of Phases 3 & 4 is highly advantageous. This option gives the biggest bang for the buck as it would focus on the largest amount of nitrogen and the largest amount of properties, 1288 at a projected cost of $88 million. The efficiency rate is noted to be 90%. Cost considerations were diligently examined. It was noted the Town of Yarmouth recently submitted an application for SRF funding in the amount of $207 million. The funding was capped at $50 million per year. Cost assumptions were considered. The burden to the taxpayer with an average value property of $665,000 borrowing $53 million per year would result in an estimated increase of $152 in taxes per year. If the borrowing was doubled at $106 million it would be essentially an increase of $304 per year, less than $1 per day for an average assessed property. Each option was given careful consideration as the matter was studied. In an effort to move forward, several options were eliminated from the discussion. From a technical standpoint GHD indicated that all options are necessary and the Town cannot make the wrong choice. Additional comment was received from Andrew Gottlieb who stated there is no bad investment. Mashpee residents are deeply concerned with the rapid decline of water quality and it is highly likely the Town would receive approval by a vote of Town Meeting to move forward. Although the average loan is $50 million, the Town if approved would be locked into the requested amount granting certainty. There would be no need to reapply for the additional funds. And, with approval of the SRF loan at 0% there are other funding opportunities to assist the Town. This includes principal forgiveness from the Cape & Islands Water Protection Trust, additional State water funding, the WIIF, and the short-term rental tax. It was explained this is Year 2 of a 5 Year precedent. It was recommended the Town advance a large project now to meet the objective for better water in Mashpee. This is an environmental need.