Town authorizes acceptance of preapproved $150,000 SRF loan for Clark Shores wastewater planning

Town meeting authorized acceptance of a preapproved $150,000 loan from the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust (SRF) to finance a comprehensive wastewater management planning study for Clark Shores and other Long Pond shorefront neighborhoods.

Proponents said the loan would fund a next-level engineering study (building on previous smaller grant-funded studies) to evaluate long-term wastewater solutions across multiple short‑shore communities. The loan is a 20‑year SRF loan at approximately 2 percent interest and is preapproved by the state; town meeting’s vote authorizes the town to accept and borrow under the SRF program if the town decides to proceed.

Speakers emphasized that no specific construction project was approved as part of the vote; rather, the appropriation would fund the planning study that could identify a range of long‑term solutions (for example, centralized piping, package treatment plants, or other alternatives). Members of the public asked whether property-owner associations would be asked to share in eventual construction costs; presenters said short‑term financing of the study is town‑borne but that long‑term capital costs could be assessed to property owners via betterments or other financing arrangements depending on final recommendations.

The finance committee recommended approval. Because the article would authorize borrowing under SRF programs, it required a two‑thirds vote; tellers counted and the result was 290 in favor, 1 opposed. The moderator declared the article passed by the necessary two‑thirds majority.

If the town uses the loan, the town will enter any required loan or security agreements with the SRF and the Department of Environmental Protection and will coordinate the planning contract and any subsequent public processes.