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Board flags long-term treatment‑plant bond could constrain sewer capacity and development
Summary
A Planning Board member relayed concerns that a 20‑year bond for a long‑term treatment‑plant upgrade (projected to take 10 years) would not increase treatment capacity and could prevent future borrowing for plant expansion, potentially limiting development in parts of town.
During Other Business on Feb. 24, a board member reported concerns raised by a Solar Commission member about planned upgrades to the town treatment plant. The commission member said upgrades expected to take about 10 years and funded by a 20‑year bond would not increase plant capacity. The board member warned that bonding the upgrades in this way could prevent the town from borrowing for additional treatment‑plant work for two decades and could constrain development, particularly on the east side of the Turnpike.
Board members discussed implications: if the town cannot issue capacity letters for new development because the plant is at or near its bonded capacity, projects may be forced to use septic systems or could be unable to proceed. Staff and members acknowledged the issue as a multi‑year planning and financing challenge and noted it may affect where development can proceed and when capacity letters can be issued.
The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes but recorded the concern for follow‑up and called attention to potential long‑term constraints on development tied to the planned bonding strategy.
