Property owner requests city-funded sewer extension on Boughton Street; audio issues delay public comment

The board heard a discussion about a petition to extend sanitary sewer service on Boughton Street and whether the city should treat the work as a municipally funded project rather than a property-owner-funded extension.

DPW staff explained the sequence: the property at issue previously had an approved sewer extension that expired after the transfer of ownership. The new owner, Santos Martinez, sought reapproval and asked the authority to consider making the extension a city project so the municipality would pay for construction rather than obligate the property owner and assessed neighbors to fund it.

Martinez attempted to speak by phone but experienced audio and muting problems and was unable to complete his remarks during the meeting. When contact was possible, Martinez said he would like the authority to proceed and requested the item be placed on the next meeting agenda so a public hearing could be scheduled and neighbors could be polled about participating in any assessment process. A DPW staff member and commissioners noted that state statute and the city’s sewer extension policy require a public hearing whenever municipal service is extended and that the board would need to follow that process regardless of the proposed funding approach.

The board did not take formal action during the meeting. Members said they would return the item to the April agenda and attempt to have Martinez present in person so he can explain whether he wants a city-funded capital improvement or a privately financed extension with neighborhood assessments.

The board noted there are ‘‘special rules with the three holders’’ (as referenced in the discussion) and confirmed that if neighbors petition in favor they would typically participate through an assessment process or another method defined by local policy.