Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sewer Flow Allocation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners flag equity and data gaps as flow-allocation and ADU bedroom approvals are discussed
Summary
The board held an extended discussion about permitting additional bedrooms and reallocating sewer flow, with commissioners warning of zoning, Title 5, equity and data gaps and suggesting a moratorium until enough empirical flow data exist from new sewer phases.
The Board devoted a lengthy portion of its June 16 meeting to flow-allocation policy and whether permitting additional bedrooms or ADUs in sewered areas should proceed without clearer data.
Staff explained the rules are currently muddled among the board of health, the Water/Wastewater board and the select board — particularly for watershed-to-watershed transfers or projects governed by state 'by-right' rules such as 40B developments. Commissioners and a resident warned that allowing additional bedrooms where sewer service is newly available could create large property-value gains for connected parcels and inequities with nonconnected neighborhoods.
One commissioner proposed a moratorium on approving new bedrooms until the system has historical flow data from built-out sewer phases; others said zoning or Title 5 references should be memorialized in local regulations to reduce litigation risk. Staff described technical concerns (consumptive-use percentage vs. wastewater collection) and the need to clarify which body approves flow increases.
Next steps: consultants conducting the CWMP and staff will continue technical analysis, Weston & Samson will interview staff, and the board asked staff to craft clear procedures and coordinate with the Board of Health and the select board before any policy change.
