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Developers may ask board to waive water/sewer fees for 66–76 Route 6A project, board awaits legal determination
Summary
Board members were briefed that the 66 & 76 Route 6A Preservation of Affordable Housing LLC / Habitat for Humanity project has an open ZBA process; the key municipal question is whether the applicant will seek waiver or abatement of compensatory privilege fees and whether this board or another body has authority; staff said council is still determining authority and the application has not yet specified the fees requested.
Board staff updated commissioners on the status of a proposed affordable-housing project at 66 and 76 Route 6A and the possible need for water and sewer fee relief.
The Zoning Board of Appeals opened the project's hearing May 20 and continued it to June 24; staff told the water board the project may seek relief from local requirements including fees and permits. The central question for the Board of Water and Sewer is whether the applicant will request an abatement or waiver of the compensatory privilege fee — the fee applied when development increases wastewater or water flow — and whether that fee question is something the ZBA, select board, or this commission may decide.
Staff said counsel and the select board are reviewing which body has authority and that the applicant has not formally specified the fees requested, so the board does not yet have a dollar estimate. Commissioners asked for future reports on the likely magnitude of any relief so the board can understand fiscal consequences; staff agreed to try to provide an estimate if and when the applicant states which fees would be waived or abated.
Board members raised the possibility of recapture language if fee relief were granted (for example, if a property later converts to market-rate use), and staff said such conditions could be explored if waiver authority is confirmed.
