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Developers, grants and timing: town weighs options for Flint’s Corner sewer upgrades
Summary
Commissioners discussed a potential Flint's Corner development and whether to require onsite infrastructure upgrades, collect connection fees, or pursue grants (MassWorks, SRF/IUP). Staff warned grants take time and may require matches; listing on the state intended-use plan could position the town for future funding.
Commissioners reviewed options for funding downstream sewer infrastructure linked to a proposed Flint's Corner development and debated whether the town or developer should bear the upfront cost.
Staff briefed the commission that a developer has revisited plans for a roughly 40-unit townhouse condo project and is meeting with town planners. The town’s engineered design for the needed downstream upgrade is complete, but the developer expressed hesitancy about paying for the work outright.
Options discussed included requiring the developer to pay connection fees, having the developer fund and apply for a MassWorks grant, or the town applying to the State Revolving Fund (SRF) intended-use plan (IUP) listing in July to position the project for future grant or loan funding. Staff cautioned that SRF/IUP placement and MassWorks awards can take up to two years and sometimes require local matches; MassWorks has historically offered grants up to multiple millions for eligible projects but scoring and timing are uncertain.
Commissioners emphasized that requiring connection fees now would produce upfront revenue that could offset costs, while pursuing grants could save town dollars but delay construction and impose uncertainty. "If you get the grant, you can't charge them for that portion," staff explained; commissioners noted that connection fees remain chargeable even if a grant covers other work.
Staff offered to attend the planner-developer meeting and to present grant deadlines and application options. Commissioners asked staff to inform the developer of the July SRF/IUP deadline if the town should be listed; staff offered to pursue an IUP application if the commission wanted to prioritize grant eligibility for the project.
Next steps: staff will attend the planner meeting, inform the commission of developer feedback and, if directed, submit an IUP application or pursue MassWorks pre-application steps. The design the town has already prepared will support either route and could shorten procurement if funding is secured.
