SOUTHWICK – Phase One of the parallel sewer interceptor projects is now complete.
Department of Public Works Director (DPW) Randy Brown said the town is ready to proceed with connecting more residents.
“We have the added capacity and have eight or so neighborhoods already identified to move forward,” said Brown.
The cost to connect in phase two is more costly than what residents paid for phase one.
“Phase one users paid about $8,000 to connect,” he said. “We’re now looking at an average of $20,000.”
The cost to connect is paid by the resident through a “betterment fee” and is spread out over 40 years. State statute requires that any resident located on a street where a sewer pipe is available must connect to it unless the Board of Health grants an exception.
Selectwoman Tracy Cesan said she attended a Sewer Implementation Committee meeting where the cost was discussed and two options were presented. The first was simply that residents had to connect and pay the costs over 40 years themselves. Another option was to bring a trunk line to businesses and have the business pay the cost, and residents along that line could then connect at a greatly reduced cost.
This would mean that the neighborhoods already identified to connect in phase two may not be the next to connect. The businesses where he line goes would dictate which residents could connect.
Cesan said the cost to businesses would likely reduce their septic costs over time.
“Some of the businesses in town are having their septic tanks pumped weekly, or even daily,” Cesan said.
Paying for a trunk line would cost less, especially if a septic failure occurs.
“If you have to replace the tank, or if your septic fails, that’s $15,000-$20,000,” Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox said.
Cesan said the benefit to the sewer is once a business or home is hooked up, they remain connected and no longer have to pay a large sum of money for replacement. She also noted that the cost has increased dramatically over the past few years and “is only going to go up.”
Fox said before any decision is made, several groups need to come together. He also noted that it is a difficult time economically for people and the town – and individual residents – are able to apply for a Rural Development grant to assist with costs.
Fox suggested that Brown approach businesses in town to talk about the option and find out which businesses may be interested.
The board also noted that connecting the schools remains a priority.
“We have to do the schools,” said Selectman Joseph Deedy.
