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Commission declines full hookup-fee waivers for Preston Street proposal, agrees to review plans
Summary
A developer requested waiver of water and sewer hookup fees and phased installation for a Preston Street condominium project; commissioners said fees fund repairs to the aging sewer system and declined full waivers but will review submitted plans and consider phased infrastructure during formal review.
A developer told the Town of Hillsborough Water & Sewer Commission he hopes to install mainline water and sewer infrastructure for a proposed Preston Street detached-condominium project and asked the Commission to waive hookup fees if he must build the mains himself.
Commissioner Dave Lewis said he was "not in favor of waiving all fees," noting the Commission's established fee structure and the need to treat all system users equitably. Commissioner Dana Clow said the fees were established to fund repairs to the existing leaky sewer mains and should not be diverted to cover new construction. Clow added that new infrastructure connections can reduce the small remaining sewer capacity unless the system's inflow and infiltration problems are addressed.
The developer, Leigh Bosse, asked whether the infrastructure could be installed in sections (for example, six houses at a time). Commissioners said they need formal plans to determine what improvements would be required to serve the area and that a plan submission would allow more constructive conversations; Mr. Bosse said he hoped to submit plans within about a month.
The Commission also discussed the System Development Charge (SDC) name and public perception. Commissioner Dana Clow suggested the current name may imply the Commission is charging to "develop" the system rather than charging to offset additional demand and to fund repairs. Commissioners agreed to continue discussing a name change and to add explanatory material to the Commission's website so applicants and residents understand how SDC and related inspection fees are used to repair and maintain the system.
The Commission stated that while new housing projects are a community benefit, the sewer system is funded by user fees rather than taxes; waiving SDCs would reduce funds designated for replacing leaky mains and restoring capacity, the commissioners said.
Next steps: the Commission asked Mr. Bosse to submit formal plans for review; they will revisit fee and phasing questions once plans and engineering details are available.
