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Bourne seeks clarity with Wareham and SRF on how Clean Water Trust subsidy will be applied to Wareham project costs
Summary
Bourne officials reviewed their share of Wareham's capital project and agreed to pursue a joint meeting and IMA review after staff raised concerns that Wareham and SRF differ on how the 25% Clean Water Trust subsidy should be applied to the bill.
Town sewer officials on May 26 reviewed how a 25% subsidy from the Cape and Islands Water Protection Fund and the Clean Water Trust would apply to Wareham's capital improvement project and agreed to pursue further coordination with Wareham and the State Revolving Fund (SRF).
Board materials explained Bourne's share of this year's Wareham capital debt: 17.91% of a $16 million debt issuance, which the board reported equals $2,865,600. Under the Clean Water Trust subsidy structure discussed with SRF and the Cape Cod Commission, Bourne's 25% subsidy would reduce that assessed capital amount by $716,400 over 20 years, or roughly $35,820 per year; the subsidy would be applied to the debt service rather than paid to Wareham as a direct check.
Commissioners raised a practical concern: SRF explained a mechanism to subtract Bourne's subsidy before Wareham bills the member towns, but Wareham has indicated it prefers to bill the full amount and have each town pursue subsidy reimbursement separately. Board members said that approach would shift administrative burden to Bourne and could leave the town temporarily responsible if the subsidy were later found unavailable.
The board agreed to place an intermunicipal agreement (IMA) review on a future agenda, begin internal discussions to develop a negotiating position, and attempt to convene a joint meeting with the Wareham sewer commission to clarify billing mechanics and notification procedures before the December SRF billing cycle.
