Minutes Board of Water Commissioners August 3, 2009
Attending: Emily Beebe Chair, Steve Gazzano Chair, Jean Schaefer, Dan Wexman, Lori Vanderschmidt, Paul Sieloff. Jack Gould, visitor
Meeting convened at 6:37 PM
Connection Fees: Mr. Dave Bennett representing the Harborside trailer park attended the meeting. Harborside habitants are concerned because of the initial high connection fees cited ($360,000) for the 85 trailer community. Mr. Bennett said that the fee cited was not “equitable or fair” as compared to other towns. He said he wanted to be engaged
Jean Schaefer explained that the philosophy of the Water commissioners can be summed up as—‘potable water for anyone who needs or wants water along the new water route at a reasonable and competitive rate.’ She had made a survey and the highest rate in Massachusetts was $5,000 per residence.
Litmus test for connections fees:
-useful
-voluntary
-must be related to the cost of providing service
-must be used to reimburse town for water services
Paul Sieloff wanted to know if the term ‘water services’ in the litmus test included the actual cost of the water expansion, operations, engineering fees, and interest. We need definition of cost of service.
Jack Gould wanted to know if it was legal for the town to make a profit.
Emily Beebe said that we should not overcharge for connection fees.
The board discussed whether or not the connection fees could be used for operations. We will ask for a legal opinion re the connection fees.
Board will ask Kopelman and Paige, the Wellfleet legal firm, for a legal opinion re this litmus test.
Jean reported that the big commercial firms provided the main financial support to the water system.
All 5 Board members agreed that we need as many people hooked up as possible at a reasonable cost to the users.
We are using the service size (diameter of pipe from street to the building obtaining water) not the meter size, to determine connection charges. Russ Tierney suggested this idea. The board unanimously approved this determination.
July20 minutes were approved
Meeting adjourned 7:49PM.
Submitted by Lori Vanderschmidt
The Water Commissioners approved these minutes at the meeting held 9/21/09.
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