02/08/2024 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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3. Warrant Article for May Town Meeting – Jared Meader. Mr. Meader distributed three draft Town Meeting Warrant Articles to the Commission. The first draft article put forward is to establish a Utility Enterprise Fund authorizing the Department to operate a public utility as a self-sufficient, self-funded operation at the WRRF. All costs related to the operation of the utility are projected to be offset by revenues generated by user rates and service fees. All surpluses of this account at the end of the year will remain with the account as retained earnings. The source of funding will be user rates and service fees. If passed, it will go into effect in FY2026. The next draft article is to appropriate the sum of $88,000,000 to fund Phase 2 of the Town’s Comprehensive nitrogen and wastewater management plan. This article is a placeholder for the funding of Phase 2 and the cost is expected to be refined. The deadline to submit warrant articles is Monday, February 12, 2024. The final draft article is to see if the Town will vote to create the position of Assistant Superintendent within the Department of Wastewater Management. Co-Chair Harris asked if they needed to vote in support of the three draft warrant articles and Jared responded that it would be nice to have a vote in order to state that the Sewer Commission supports the placeholder. Mr. Lyons stated that he is against a vote by the Sewer Commission to create the position of Assistant Superintendent as the Commission is not part of the Town in that aspect and that the Commission has no authority to do so and should not recommend doing so. Chair Smith suggested tabling the vote on this item. Co-Chair Harris said that, with the deadline looming, she thinks that the Commission should vote to show their support. Jared suggested having a joint meeting with the Select Board. A motion was made Co-Chair Harris to vote in support of the draft warrant articles of 2024 May Town Meeting as presented by the Wastewater Superintendent, Jared Meader. Motion seconded by Catherine Castaneda. The motion passed by unanimous consent with one opposing vote by Mr. Lyons. 4. Customer Connection Funding Sources (Aquafund and SRF Funding) – Jared Meader. Mr. Meader stated that he researched the Aquafund lending source and discovered that it’s not the only funding source available. One of them being the USDA Housing Single Family Housing Repair Loan and Grants. This funding may be obtained if a person is considered low income or if they are a Senior Citizen on a fixed income whose home’s value doesn’t exceed $541,000. He stated that the Town also has the SRF Community Septic Management Program Betterment Loan for Homeownership and this can be used to assist people tying into sewer connections. This will have to have more discussion as it’s under the Board of Health’s purview and, it is the Select Board’s area of responsibility. Mr. Meader suggested applying for the Cape Cod Aquafund and the USDA first, if possible. He explained that the USDA 504 Home Repair Program is a 1% for 20 years and if a person is over the age of 62 they are eligible for up to $10,000. in grant. 5. Grinder Pumps (Ownership) – Jared Meader. Jared reported that they are preparing to send out the paperwork for getting bids on the grinder pumps. He explained that, initially, the Town was not going to be responsible for grinder pumps of which there are 33 in Phase 1. He stated that he is experienced in repair and maintenance of them and, with the Town taking ownership of them the Town will be eligible for SRF Funding. 4