Wastewater Cost Study Committee
Minutes of November 5, 2003
Committee present: Bob Smallidge, Jim Bright, Ted Bromage, Edith Dunham, Anne Funderburk, Bob Cawley, George Peckham and Jim Robinson
Excused members, Brian Pollard, Kathy Branch, Charles Pugh
Public present: Mike MacDonald, Erma Smallidge and Marion Peckham
Call to order 6:46 pm
Approval of amended minutes, Ted Bromage, Second Ann Funderburk, motion passed, (Peckham abstained)
Discuss Stumpfel report; Edith said looks like a good thing. Jim R. concurs. No other discussion.
IV Develop formula and calculate amount of support for Program.
Jim submitted list to John Brushwein for verification, found some should not be on list and some that should be on list. Delay discussion until Jim re calculates the fiscal effect. Total of about 26 additional Homestead exemptions. Anne suggested we need to calculate the maximum number to be included.
V Discuss Minority Opinion
Ted B spoke with Gerard H. who commented about the seasonal resident on Long Pond not being treated fairly. Ted believes if we don’t offer something to those seasonal residents we might run into legal problems. Minority reports has some good points, perhaps 3 months rather than 4. Jim B. throws his hands up, discouraging, left here last week with something that is workable. If we start tinkering with it we will begin losing support that we have gained in the community. Have a town employee supervise the pump-out, so systems will be maintained properly. Ted: amplification, some residents don’t want town employees on their property. If it is in ordinance the town will pump.
Edith: lawyer approved the program we discussed last week, discouraged with minority report, if homestead exemption good enough for state then should be good enough for us. Why are we worrying about discriminating now? Bob S.: policy and expenditures are policy questions for the town. Bob C.: we need a program that worked on the septic system, if we need a system to support septic systems it should be for all systems, might be possible for some not eligible might be basis for law suit. George P. reiterated a comment from a citizen after reading about the program ‘what the hell are you people thinking of?” Anne our original mission statement, Jim R. re-read our Mission Statement. What are we going to do with the minority report? Ted B.: septic systems are
part of the wastewater treatment systems, no problem transferring some cost for septic systems from the individuals to the town. Anne based on what the attorney said we should be careful we are not creating a tax rebate system. Bob S. we eliminated to 2 of the 3 plans, the vote was not an endorsement of the plan sent to the attorney. Current plan is to support year-round residents with septic systems. Lots of seasonal residents have means to challenge the system. Considerable discussion on equity of the program. Send minority report to attorney.
Break for 10 minutes at 7:50 PM
Bob C. moved to send the minority report to Erik, second George. Discussion, Jim B suggests not to send it up until all members of the committee are present to vote on the motion to send to attorney. Jim R suggests proposed plan is on website, splinter group changes the program, 11 people arrived at the program and 11 should vote on the minority report. Don’t want political disaster. Ted B it is critical we somehow change the way the wastewater system is paid for, we need to have clean water. Important to get something done. Anne: There is a good deal in what Ted says, we need to get something in place, then it can be fine-tuned. Published plan is meeting with some degree of public acceptance; we should take advantage of the momentum.
In favor, Bob C., Ted B, Edie, George P., Bob S.; opposed Jim R., Jim B. Anne F. abstained.
IV develop formula and calculate amount of support for program.
Anne read the various prices for septic replacement, $7250 average for pipe sand and gravel, and chamber, avg of $10250. Discussion to arrive at number to use, agreed to use $7250 and 15 yr life for $483 annual payment plus $60 for pump-out, total $543.
Motion to adjourn, moved by Anne Second by Bob C. Vote unanimous.
Respectfully submitted
Michael MacDonald
Recording Secretary Pro Tem
11-12-2003 first revision
includes recommended corrections by Ted Bromage and Anne Funderburk
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