Wastewater Cost Study Committee
October 15, 2003
Members Present: Bob Smallidge, Anne Funderburk, Kathy Branch, George Peckham, Charlie Pugh, Brian Pollard, Ted Bromage, Jim Robinson, Edith Dunham and Jim Bright
Excused member: Bob Cawley
Public Present: Erma Smallidge, Marion Peckham and Mike MacDonald
Called to order 6:50pm
Motion by Ted. B. to adopt corrected minutes of October 8, 2003, seconded by Charlie.
Unanimous.
Anne motion to adopt Rural Wastewater Support Program. Edith motion to table naming the program, seconded by Brian, unanimous.
Discussion about qualifications of Homestead exemption. Including the requirement that this must be your primary year round residence. A Homestead Exemption form is completed by the eligible property owner and submitted to the Town Office. Brian stated that in addition to the Homestead program there are also exemptions for veterans and widows.
George expressed the feeling that the current plan discriminates excessively by not giving support to all properties with septic systems. He stated that the Committee should present two plans to the BOS, one being the resident only plan and the other including wastewater treatment support to all properties. The voters would be able to select one, or the other. He felt that the amount of support might be based on the average amount of the contribution of properties with septic systems to village wastewater treatment (est.: $464,124/849 residents = $547). Bob Smallidge agrees with the main concepts of the proposed funding plan designed to support year-round residency and to protect the rural environment in which the private wastewater treatments are located. But, he feels that it is unfair, inequitable, and politically
unwise -not to give at least some support to those developed properties not covered by “Homestead” provisions. He expressed concern that with no support to non-exempt properties the WCSC could with justification be accused of being self-serving. He suggested an amendment to the current rural support proposal in which something of the order of $500/yr was given as support to resident “exempt” property owners (291 properties) , and $250/yr to support non-exempt properties (558 properties) with septic systems. This would require that about $285,000 be raised for support of the program, but would leave more than half ($289,549) of the total amount ($574,549) paid by rural property owners toward the support of the public wastewater treatment system. Bob expressed the feeling that such a plan would be as legally defensible as the resident only version, and would defuse any consideration toward legal action by those not receiving support under the current “resident only” proposal.
Discussions about changing the Support Program qualifications. Some concerns are that lower valued property could receive a refund larger than the taxes paid to the O&M of the wastewater treatment systems and that higher valued property may receive less than they paid in their taxes the O&M of the wastewater treatment systems. Brian feels that we need to look at the costs of O & repairs to both septic and the wastewater treatment systems. Charlie agrees with Edith that basing the refund for septic owners on the tax paid for the wastewater systems may be problematic. Charlie feels that we need to be as fair to as many people as possible. Charlie is concerned that the program will be acceptable to the majority of the voters and that we end up trying to please so many people that our 6 or 8 months
work will end with no resolution. Jim R. proposes a determination of support level for the program
Edith suggests a nominal fee of $100 per year for each resident on the wastewater treatment plan. Jim R. & Jim B. advised this would not be acceptable to the taxpayers as indicated in past history. George suggests that we come up with another program as a possibility. Charlie advises that low valued properties would receive the amount they pay in their taxes to support the wastewater treatment plant and the higher valued property would receive an amount more equal to any repairs to their septic system. Charlie feels that we should seek a legal opinion on the proposed plan(s). Jim R. stated that Erik Stumpfel advised us that we can have a program with qualifications and a name that does not indicate this is a tax abatement program or refund. Mike MacDonald suggests that the septic system cost may be similar whether the
property is located on Northern Neck on Long Pond or in Pretty Marsh. Jim R. if we work up a figure now and work on determining future figures based on historical and current data, such as the permitting process and can become part of the program basis and resulting in the support offered by the program. Charlie compared two properties with $100,000 valuation one on septic
Anne motion to ask Jim. R. to write the plans as discussed with both the fixed and sliding scale support, seconded by Kathy. Unanimous.
Next meeting October 22, 2003 6:45pm at meeting Hall Northeast Harbor.
Anne motion to adjourn, seconded by Edith. Adjourned 9:15pm
October 22, 2003 George and Brian will be away. October 29 Charlie, Brian, Edith & Kathy will be away.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Branch,
Recording Secretary
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