WPCA adopts 20% markup over Groton Utilities rates for emergency wholesale supply; meter upgrade to be billed to recipient

The WPCA approved a temporary wholesale-rate approach to supply water to a neighboring system (referred to in the meeting as "Squaw"). After extended discussion about unknown liabilities, meter compatibility and the possibility the neighboring system might abandon its infrastructure if faced with high costs, the board agreed to charge 20% above the cost the authority pays Groton Utilities and to require the recipient to cover the cost of upgrading the raw meter from 2-inch to 6-inch.

A staff member presented calculations comparing what the neighboring system currently pays and what it might cost if the WPCA resells that water. One board member urged a percentage approach so the resale price would track future changes in the Groton Utilities wholesale rate: "It should be made that way, so it's not something that can fall behind," a member said.

After debate, the chair moved and the board voted in favor of charging a 20% surcharge over the amount the WPCA pays Groton Utilities for raw water. The motion specified that the surcharge would be applied in percentage terms so it would automatically adjust when Groton Utilities changes its rate. The board also passed a separate motion to upgrade the meter to a larger size and to bill the meter and installation costs to the recipient system at cost.

Members discussed implementation steps if the neighboring system is transferred: whether meters and billing databases could be migrated, how to read and import meter data, and whether the Department of Public Health would require a formal transition process. No timetable for a transfer was set; the board recorded the rate decision and directed staff to document billing practices and a process to collect meter upgrade costs if the transfer occurs.

The motions passed by voice vote; transcript records "aye" from members but no roll-call names were recorded.