Wcsc meeting 030910 minutes – with corrections 1 of 2 10-08-03 rls
Wastewater Cost Study Committee
Minutes of September 10, 2003
Members present Robert Smallidge, Kathy Branch, Charlie Pugh, Jim Bright, Brian Pollard, Bob Cawley, Anne Funderburk, George Peckham, Edith Dunham, Ted Bromage and Jim Robinson
Public present Erma Smallidge, Mike MacDonald
Called to order 6:48pm
Edith Dunham with “Yarmouth model” proposal Septic System Replacement Program
Including overview of Wastewater Disposal Assistance Program. Anne inquired if the geology is granite or sand in Yarmouth? This would create additional expenses depending on soils regarding installation of a septic system. An advantage of the plan compared to the rebate plan, is it provides the same relief, but is based through taxation. Bob Cawley motion to continue study of this program, seconded by Jim R. Passed, unan.
Brian Pollard with “Insurance” type proposal. Rebate proposals are a means to provide relief to nonsewer users of the real estate tax costs of the town’s Sewer System. Sewer users do not contribute to the private systems. Current Homeowner Insurance does not provide any coverage for the property owners with wells and septic systems, unless it is a lightning strike. In order to have an occupancy permit, water and wastewater treatment systems are required. Under this “insurance” type proposal the Town would provide 100% of cost of new installations or the costs of repair due to failure in addition to a mandatory pump out every 5 years. Septic systems have a life expectancy of 15 years -- the Town currently funds bond issues for the Sewer Systems over 20 years. For installed
septic systems base payments on depreciated value of septic, i.e. depending on its age. Installation and maintenance of wells would be based on 1/3 of well expenditures. Valuation of off sewer property may increase if there was a Town based insurance program. Brian compared bedroom count proposal of a widow residing in a 4-bedroom home compared to her sister residing off the system with a septic that needs replacement at a cost of a minimum of $7,000.00. George stated his septic is 28 years old with no problem and replaced his well pump last fall due to its age; he wanted to change it before it failed. Jim Robinson states the person that is on sewer taking care of people that are off the sewer. He replaced his water line at a cost of $3800 and his sewer line at a cost of $4300. Ted Bromage advises that the well and septic/leach field require a 100’ separation of each other. Charlie Pugh feels that on and off users be treated as equal as possible. Is also
concerned with the potential time and effort and expense involved for the Town staff. What is the potential liability of Town employees providing services on residents’ properties? How many residences are on the septic, maybe 700 and one fifth would require looking into annually. Bob Cawley inquired how many pump outs annually, $4,340 was expended in 2002 based on a cost of $250 per pump out. Jim Bright feels that we need to keep a proposed system as simple as possible and this option may be confusing. Brian would like to do the financials on this proposal based on the various levels in his proposal. Anne motion to continue study, seconded by Bob Cawley. 8 votes yes, 1 no Jim Bright and 1 abstained George Peckham.
Jim B. motion to adopt minutes of 9/3/2003 as corrected, seconded by Brian, and passed.
Jim R. with Buy Out of Septic Proposal This was the only plan suggested by a member of the public, Gerard Haraden and Jim R. feels that we needed to have further study of this one proposal. Jim R. does not feel that we can physically buy out the septic systems since they are located on property that the Town does not own. Brian Pollard feels that Gerard would be pleased that some of his points have been encompassed into some of the other proposals. George will verbally advise Gerard of his proposal. Anne will compose a letter to Gerard thanking him for his proposal and advise Gerard that the best points of his plan have been encompassed into some of the other proposals. Ted motion that we cease further work on this proposal, seconded by George. 10 yes votes.
Bob S. is opposed to leaving the funding as is done at present through property taxes. One advantage is there would be no change. Current septic owners are paying twice, the installation of their septic and in their property taxes for the public wastewater systems of which they have no access. Brian reminds us that one half of the current funding is included in his “Insurance” proposal. Jim advises if his proposal is tabled, there will be many comments and we need a very good reason(s) for tabling it at this time. Edith motion to keep this plan for consideration, seconded by Bob Cawley. Charlie stated that we will have difficulty with this proposal for people off the wastewater systems and with other plans for people on the wastewater systems in the form of a proposed fee. 9 votes yes, 1 no George
Peckham.
It is recommended that we include Brian’s proposal with the other proposals that will be sent to the Attorney for review.
Philosophical issues; Charlie need to know total number of properties on the wastewater treatment systems and property assessment and total number of properties not served by sewer and property assessment and properties served by septic and property assessment. How accurate does this data need to be for our purposes? Brian says that a 10% +/- degree of accuracy would be adequate. Charlie also stated that once we determine what proposal(s) may be considered we can obtain more accurate data. Mike MacDonald advises that if we use consistent figures for our comparisons, any calculations would contain the same margin of error. What is break point of property valuation of the proposed tax reduction equals a proposed user fee? 1300 wastewater users and 475 are above the break point of the $200,000. property valuation. Jim
R. feels that his tax information is fairly accurate.
Ted motion to adjourn, seconded by Bob C. Passed unan.
Next meeting September 24, 2003 6:45pm at the Meeting Hall Northeast Harbor.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Branch,
Recording Secretary
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