Council adopts secondary‑connection policy, approves 12‑month capital‑capacity waiver and orders study of affected properties

Harpers Ferry Town Council voted 5–0 on March 11 to adopt a Harpers Ferry Water Works secondary connections policy (as amended) and to grant a 12‑month waiver of the capital capacity fee to encourage property owners to bring unmetered secondary service lines into compliance with Public Service Commission (PSC) rules.

Debbie, Waterworks staff, explained the policy aims to address unmetered secondary lines on properties (for example, lines serving separate outbuildings or duplexes) that the town and the PSC consider noncompliant when those lines are not separately metered. Staff said the policy text will define “unmetered line” to clarify it means a line serving a separate structure on a property and that the waiver period will include active applications submitted during the window.

Council members debated length of the amnesty window (suggestions ranged from six to 18 months); Council member Zachary Motley recommended a shorter window than 18 months so that customers would be prompted to act. Staff advised that a shorter period would still satisfy PSC expectations in the related pending case and that the timing is important because meter procurement is imminent. In the end the council agreed on a 12‑month waiver.

The adopted motion also directs staff to: (1) include active applications in the waiver, (2) define “unmetered line” as a line to a separate structure, and (3) review and, if necessary, adjust the tap fee (currently $750 under town ordinance) as part of future tariff changes. The council separately moved that the water commission conduct a study to estimate how many properties within the service area may be out of compliance, using parcel/structure data and water use records; that motion was sent to the water commission for study and follow up.

Council members stressed two enforcement realities: (1) lines present before February 2005 were historically treated differently (grandfathering issues), and (2) the PSC regulation requires separate meters for separate buildings, so the town needs to make an active effort to achieve compliance. Council also accepted counsel’s advice that the amnesty can make enforcement and the PSC case easier to manage by clearing ambiguous past situations.

Motions and votes recorded at the meeting: - Motion to adopt the Harpers Ferry Water Works secondary connections policy as amended, including a 12‑month waiver of the capital capacity fee and a definition of “unmetered line” to cover lines to separate structures — motion passed 5–0. - Motion that the Water Works tap fee be reviewed and changed if deemed necessary and beneficial as part of the next tariff/tower provision — motion passed 5–0. - Motion that the water commission conduct a study to determine how many properties may be out of compliance with PSC secondary‑connection rules — motion made and sent to the water commission for study.