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Falmouth creates Watershed Management Financial Fairness Task Force with Select Board liaison
Summary
The Select Board adopted a charging document to form a task force to recommend equitable cost-distribution approaches for watershed management projects (including sewers and IA septic systems), adding a Select Board liaison and requiring the task force to present a work plan within three months.
The Select Board voted to adopt an amended charging document to create a Watershed Management Financial Fairness Task Force charged with advising the board and town manager on fair and equitable distribution of costs related to implementation of watershed management plans mandated by the Commonwealth.
Town staff summarized the charge and noted the Board of Health’s prior letter raising concerns about how costs will affect residents depending on whether they must connect to town sewer systems, install innovative alternative (IA) septic systems, or take no action. The charge asks the task force to identify options, goals, action steps and measurable milestones, and to present an initial work plan and expected outputs for Select Board approval within three months of convening. Members added an amendment to include a Select Board liaison (rather than a full Select Board member appointment) to facilitate communication and periodic reports.
Board members emphasized the need for expertise in economics and ethics to assess equitability and for the task force to focus on creative, social-science solutions for distributing costs. The amended charging document was approved by voice vote.
