SANDWICH—Despite concerns about costs, residents overwhelmingly voted to invest further into water infrastructure during Monday’s special town meeting.
Eight articles were discussed during town meeting, with about 200 residents present at the Middle-High School auditorium.
Article 6 generated the most discussion. Residents were asked to approve a 1% increase for the town’s water infrastructure investment fund. The motion passed with 112 votes, which will mean a ballot question will be presented to voters at the annual town election on May 8. If that question passes, the existing investment surcharge will rise from 2% to 3%, beginning July 1.
Some voters expressed concern the rising cost could impact seniors and others living on a fixed income. Others were concerned that they were paying for water infrastructure when their individual properties are on well water.
Town Manager George “Bud” Dunham expressed sympathy. “There’s no way around it. The costs are extreme.” But the investment into water infrastructure now will pay off in the end, Dunham said.
Why a surcharge increase for water infrastructure?
The surcharge increase breaks down to cost each resident about $71, said Dunham. The amount, Dunham told the Times, is on top of the $142 residents are already paying per year for the 2% surcharge.
The increase is needed to fund the town’s comprehensive water resource management plan, which has grown substantially in cost, Dunham said during the town meeting.
In 2018, estimated costs for the plan was $85 million, Dunham told voters. The projected Phase 1 cost is now peaking at $130 million, he said, with increased permitting and implementation requirements. More money will allow continued progress on state required improvements, Dunham said.
Town: 1% surcharge increase saves money
The surcharge will save residents money as opposed to funding solely through debt exclusions, said Dunham. Each 1% generates about $750,000 each year, he said. The cost, said Dunham, is less than additional debt exclusions to fund required improvements.
There are also additional cost saving measures, said Dunham, including a state revolving fund with an interest rate of 2.4% and the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund.
There are also regional opportunities with watershed permits and direct nitrogen credit payments. Water resource management plan appropriations, said Dunham, will significantly lessen the debt exclusion burden and save residents money over time.
What did voters say at the meeting?
Overall, said Dunham, plan is essential to improving the quality of drinking water, groundwater, freshwater ponds and coastal estuaries.
The plan, said Dunham, is consistent with the requirements of the Cape Cod Commission’s 2018 Water Quality Plan Update. Addressing water quality is critical, said Dunham, but Cape towns are also under a court mandate to move water infrastructure forward.
At the meeting, resident Bob Guerin said he appreciates the work that town officials have done about water infrastructure but also asked for further transparency. “I’m thinking about budgets, and taxes, and thinking about another $71 important dollars. I think town officials should be talking about what’s next, what else, and how much that too is going to cost,” said Guerin.
Resident Mark Pomran said an increase from $85 million to $130 million for Phase 1 Is shocking. “That’s almost a 50% increase. How hard have we looked at costs to see that that’s legitimate and that that’s the only way?” said Pomran.
Dunham was confident, he said, that once engineers have a better understanding of what future plans entail, town officials can better prepare residents.
Voter Bill Holt, who said he is a civil engineer, said there’s nothing more valuable than water.
“I trust you,” said Holt to town officials. “Please keep it up.”
Affordable housing was also discussed during town meeting
During the meeting, residents also passed Article 2, which will authorize the Select Board and town treasurer to borrow about $2.6 million and issue bonds and notes under the Community Preservation Act affordable housing program. The funds will go toward a grant which will pay SCG Development Partners, LLC to develop affordable senior rental housing at the Henry T. Wing School.
One voter sought to have the housing reserved for Sandwich residents.
Dunham said the rental units will be available throughout Barnstable County. Those interested in a unit will enter into a lottery system, he said.
Short term rental inspections
Article 5 became a point of discussion as voters were asked to authorize spending $50,000 on short-term rental inspections.
Residents passed Article 5 with 112 to 78 votes.
Some residents were concerned about how a part-time employee would manage to inspect the roughly 700 short-term rentals that are currently registered with the town. Building Commissioner Brendan Brides told residents that a part-time employee would work two days a week and inspect roughly 10 short-term rentals per day.
Short term rentals, said Dunham, are rentals that last less than 30 days. Homeowners register if they rent out their property for at least 14 days per year .
Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.
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