Case Study #1: Existing Neighborhood with Sewer Problems (35% of Massachusetts homes are on septic systems)
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
Wales can't afford treatment plant
April 2, 2005
Section: LOCAL NEWS
Page: A5
By James F. Russell
WALES - Despite abandoned homes and failing septic systems, it is doubtful the town will build a wastewater treatment plant to fix a sewer problem along the eastern edge of Lake George because high costs and inadequate government assistance make the project unrealistic.
"It is too expensive," Jeffrey Nissenbaum, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said after a 30-minute presentation Thursday night that was followed by 90 minutes of sometimes-heated statements by some of the 85 residents attending an informational meeting held at the elementary school. There is a need to build a public sewer system in town, Board of Health member Tadeusz S. Wysocki said, adding, "The study completed by Earth Tech shows it, but you can't get blood out of a rock." The meeting was conducted by the Concord environmental consulting firm.
"Four or five houses have been abandoned near the lake in the past three years; they cannot sell their homes," Mr. Wysocki said. "We have about eight properties in the study area east of Lake George - there could be more - that meet the criteria to be condemned by the Board of Health. Right now, we want to work with the people to avoid that, but when you have an eighth of an acre to work with on some of these properties," there are few options short of putting in public sewers or abandoning the property.
Earth Tech Project Director Joseph M. Boccadoro said the study, begun in 2003, encompassed 400 residents in 149 households on 50 acres....
Mr. Boccadoro estimated 140 homes "are presently not compliant" with health requirements on sewage discharge.
The estimated cost to build a wastewater treatment plant and collection apparatus with the requisite pumping and piping is $8,428,200, according to Earth Tech. Annual operational costs are pegged at $110,000....
Selectman Eric Esiason told the residents, "The town is not going to vote a Proposition 2-1/2 debt exclusion override" to borrow money to pay for the project.
John D. Noceti, who would benefit by the sewer project, said, "If you lose 140 families paying taxes, the rest of the town will have to make up the difference. I have paid taxes the past 20 years and I want to be able to flush my toilet."....
Robert W. Templeman of 5 Heck Road said he is retired, lives on a fixed income, and suggested the government pay to build the sewer system. "I can't afford the $10,000 or the $50,000," he said.
Possible Solution: Chapter 40T could be used by property owners abutting Lake George to fund a packaged sewerage treatment plant. The owners would be able to secure 35 year financing at attractive interest rates without burdening the rest of the property owners in the Town of Wales.
Case Study #2: New Real Estate Development Favored by Local Community
Upton Village -A $60 million mixed use project with 150 residential units with offices and shops in the style of a New England Village. As part of the project a landfill will be capped and used for ball fields.
http://www.nalgep.org/ewebeditpro/items/O93F11312.pdf.
Possible Solution: Chapter 40T could be used by the developer to fund the necessary infrastructure for a project supported by the Town of Upton. The entire Town would benefit from the project including the increase in the Town’s tax base.