Resources for Upcoming Citizen Forums – Town of Barnstable Sewer Assessment Ordinance Presentation

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Town of Barnstable’s “Water Resources” website
The town recently released a new website that includes important information about the town’s water quality issues and the CWMP. Check out the new Water Resources page by clicking here.

We want to encourage everyone to attend the upcoming Citizen Forums – Sewer Assessment Ordinance Presentation.  The town of Barnstable put forward a 30-year Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) to protect coastal, inland and drinking water resources which has been reviewed and approved by state environmental agencies.  The upcoming Citizen Forums will allow you to learn more about this plan and ask questions.

Upcoming Citizen Forums – Sewer Assessment Ordinance Presentation
These presentations will be led by Mark Ells, Barnstable Town Manager, along with Daniel Santos, Director, Department of Public Works, and Mark Milne, Finance Director who will be presenting the proposed sewer assessment ordinance.

The forums are scheduled for:

  • Thursday, February 25 at 10:00AM, 2:00PM and 7:00PM
  • Thursday, March 25 at 10:00AM, 2:00PM and 7:00PM

More details about the Citizen Forums can be found by clicking here.
To learn more about the sewer assessment ordinance, click here.

Some Questions to Ask
There are a lot of questions around this project, and we’re sure you’re already asking some of them. In addition to the questions below, the Town’s Comprehensive Financial Advisory Council (CFAC) has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions.  Check out their FAQ list by clicking here.

  • Where can I find the CWMP?
  • Why is there a need for the CWMP? What are the benefits for me as a resident of Barnstable to move from septic to sewer?
  • Why is it going to take 30 years to implement the plan? And when will Phase 1 begin?
  • Were other alternatives looked at besides a sewer plan? Are there targeted areas around the town that enhanced, innovative and alternative septic systems are being designated in lieu of being a part of the sewer plan?
  • I have heard that towns like Falmouth and Wellfleet are developing legislation and regulations to assist homeowners with installing I/A septic systems, including incentives and low interest rate/long term financing. These towns are also looking at requiring home’s with failed Title 5 systems to replace with I/A septic systems. Is Barnstable exploring anything similar?
  • Is the Environmental Justice Community near the existing Hyannis Waste Water Treatment facility part of the CWMP?
  • My understanding is that there are 12,000 properties in the CWMP? Why are only approximately 50% of the town’s total properties part of the CWMP?
  • The CWMP costs $1.4 billion. How will the project be paid for? What are the funding sources?
  • Is the Town seeking state or federal money to reduce the impact on the Barnstable taxpayer?
  • How do I know what Project Phase my home is in? How were the phases determined?
  • How much will it cost a typical residential owner to be served by sewer?
  • How much will it cost a typical residential owner not served by sewer and will need to maintain an on-site septic system (Title 5 septic, I/A septic or shared waste treatment facility in a planned community)?
  • If my home is not included in one of the CWMP Phases, why should I pay higher property taxes and pay a sewer assessment?
  • Will I be required to connect my house to the sewer if I am part of one of the phases? Can I opt out?
  • I just recently installed/paid for a new septic system, will I still have to connect?
  • Are there ways to help me pay for my sewer connection?
  • What is the anticipated increase in the property tax rate over the next 10+ years due to the town’s portion of the sewer project?
  • If a septic system limits to a property to a 3 bedroom house, will the new sewer connection still limit the house to 3 bedrooms?
  • Will work take place during the summer seasons?
  • When will sewer construction take place at my address/location?
  • I understand the main objective of the CWMP is to reduce nitrogen pollution in order to improve water quality. What level of nitrogen reduction should we expect from sewer-treatment vs. installing an enhanced, innovative and alternative (I/A) septic system?
  • If I have an I/A septic system or want to install an I/A septic systems, can my property be exempt from the sewer plan? If not, why?
  • Since the sewer plan will create more sewage, is a new wastewater treatment plant being built? If so, where?
  • How does the recent lawsuit filed by the Conservation Law Foundation impact the CWMP?