Bozrah agrees to let Bozrah Light & Power and Groton Utilities use town fuel pumps; town to consider convenience fee

The Bozrah Board of Selectmen on June 16 agreed to proceed with a request from Bozrah Light & Power (BL&P) and Groton Utilities to allow their staff to use town-owned fuel pumps, while raising the possibility of adding a convenience fee to recoup town costs.

First Selectman Glenn Pianka told the board he was concerned the town should include a convenience fee if BL&P and Groton Utilities use Bozrah pumps. The board agreed to move forward with the request; no formal fee or contract language was adopted at the meeting.

The meeting record includes an email from William Robarge of Groton Utilities explaining the utilities' interest: “Our station is at the end of life and instead of replacing it we hope that we can fill at your fuel pump station and set up an account allowing us to make payment.” Maureen French of Groton Utilities also asked whether Bozrah Public Works could partner to avoid replacing Groton Utilities’ tank.

Pianka’s written reply in the record included: “The Town of Bozrah has no use for this tank,” indicating Bozrah would not take ownership of Groton’s tank equipment; instead, the utilities proposed account-based fueling at the town pumps. The Board did not finalize terms at the meeting; Pianka flagged the need to account for payment tracking and any convenience fee.

Next steps: staff and the Board will follow up on account setup, payment-tracking procedures and formal agreement language to document permitted users and any fees.