Nursing‑home operator asks town to apply in‑town tap fees to new senior housing; board approves public hearing

A nursing‑home operator presented a request that the town apply in‑town water and sewer tap rates to a proposed 36–38 unit senior living rental complex, and the board voted to schedule a public hearing on the change.

The operator (Presenter, S4) told the board the project has paid engineering and utility-preparation costs and asked that the town use in‑town meter/tap rates for hookups. “We’ve spent several $100,000 on just getting it to the point to where we can hook up,” the presenter said, arguing the development will provide independent‑living units with transitions to assisted living.

Staff member (S3) told the board that any reduction in fees must be noticed as a public hearing before a final vote. Commissioners pressed the developer on whether voluntary annexation had been discussed and how tax arrangements would affect the decision; a resident (S5) objected to extending in‑town rates to out‑of‑town properties “because they don’t pay any taxes.” The presenter responded that the request is aimed at the tap/path connection cost and not at ongoing billed water rates.

Committee member (S7) moved to apply in‑town tap rates (proposed in the discussion at $1,000 for water and $1,000 for sewer) and to schedule the required public hearing; the motion was seconded and the board approved the motion to proceed to a public hearing. The board directed staff to advertise the hearing and to confirm the exact unit count and fee impacts before the public meeting.

The next procedural step is the advertised public hearing, after which the board would consider a final vote on any fee reduction or rate application.