The Water Sewer Commission voted to ask staff to draft a policy requiring upfront payment of the town’s $8,200 privilege/betterment fee for new construction and certain additional connections.

Kathy Stanley, Charlton’s assessor, told the commission the $8,200 fee historically was allowed to be spread over 20 years for existing homeowners when sewer mains were installed in front of older properties. She said continued construction in town makes the annual betterment option problematic when builders do not pay at closing and buyers later face unexpected charges. “The $8,200 fee that allows somebody that is in an area where they can receive the service to pay the connection fee,” she said, and urged requiring payment at permit for new builds.

Commissioners debated how to treat new construction versus existing homes. Commissioners agreed to direct staff to draft a policy that would require upfront payment for any new construction where a betterment has not already been assigned; the draft policy should include accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and provide for individual exceptions where appropriate. Cheryl (town collector) said staff can add a privilege/betterment fee line to sewer permit forms so payments are checked at permitting.

A motion to develop the policy, with staff to present a draft at the July meeting and an implementation target of Aug. 1, carried on a roll-call vote with commissioners recorded as voting aye.

Ending: Staff will prepare a draft policy and updated permit language for the commission’s July meeting; commissioners said they will consider exception rules for existing homes and review the master file of prior betterment payers before final adoption.