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Sewer board votes to bill Great Hill(s) Estates for 134 connected units for February
Summary
The Wareham Board of Sewer Commissioners voted Jan. 8 to set Great Hill(s) Estates' February sewer bill to reflect 134 connected units after a park audit found fewer active sewer connections than previously billed. Commissioners declined to approve a cash abatement for prior years but signaled willingness to correct future bills upon receipt of contract evidence.
Kevin Flein, an engineer from Stantech, told the Wareham Board of Sewer Commissioners that a recent site audit counted 223 parcel equivalents at Great Hill(s) Estates (222 trailer sites plus a community building) and confirmed 134 units are currently connected to sewer, not the 157 units the park had been billed for.
"We counted and identified each and every unit that's on sewer and each one that is still on septic," Flein said, describing a February field verification that produced the 134‑unit figure. He said remaining units are planned to be connected through a four‑phase program that will install low‑pressure pump stations and replace aging gravity lines.
Commissioners questioned how the 157 number was established and were told it originated from prior owner commitments and multi‑year phasing. Scott (sewer department staff) confirmed the department's records had shown 157 EDUs based on prior documentation and that flow meters and reporting will be reviewed during construction.
Carrie Pastor moved — and a colleague seconded — that the board bill Great Hill(s) Estates for 134 connected EDUs on the February sewer bill. The motion passed on a voice vote; one commissioner recorded a formal "nay." The board discussed but did not approve an immediate cash abatement for past bills; staff said correcting the ongoing billing would be the immediate remedy.
Commissioners and consultant emphasized the need for a clear construction schedule and tighter reporting: when contracts are signed and phases go out to bid, the town should receive updated hookup counts so future bills and any inducements can be handled transparently. The board asked staff to issue the usual letter requiring connection within the town's timeframes and to place the matter on future agendas for status updates.
The motion recorded in the meeting was: "Charge Great Hill(s) Estates for 134 connected units (EDUs) on the February sewer bill." The board voted in favor; the Feb. billing change will be implemented as directed. No cash abatement for prior years was authorized at this meeting.
