Citizen Forums will Discuss Proposed Sewer Assessment Ordinance

Background:

The health of Barnstable’s coastal waters that is so vital to the Town’s quality of life and local economy is at risk. The primary source of the problem is nitrogen pollution from septic systems. Likewise, the Town’s freshwater ponds and drinking water supply are being degraded from nutrients and pollutants from septic systems, fertilizer, stormwater run-off and other watershed sources.  Building wastewater infrastructure to reduce the amount of these pollutants entering water resources is necessary to protect the environment, property values, local economy, and quality of life.

Fortunately, Barnstable is leading the way on clean water solutions. Building on more than a decade of scientific study and engineering design, the Town has put forward a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) to protect coastal, inland and drinking water resources. Barnstable’s plan has been rigorously reviewed and approved by state environmental agencies.

The Town’s plan calls for sewers and other measures to be implemented over 30 years, at a total cost of $1.4 billion. The Town has identified existing revenues to cover more than half of this cost. A Sewer Assessment Ordinance is being proposed to finance a portion of the remaining cost.

What:    A proposal for a Sewer Assessment Ordinance to finance a portion of the cost to construct the sewer expansion will be presented for community discussion at a series of virtual public forums.

Who:     Mark Ells, Barnstable Town Manager, will present the proposed sewer assessment ordinance; along with Daniel Santos, Director, Department of Public Works; and Mark Milne, Finance Director.

When and How to Participate:

Thursday, February 25 – 10:00 AM,  2:00 PM, 7:00 PM
Thursday, March 25 – 10:00 AM,  2:00 PM, 7:00 PM

To participate via computer use the following link for all six meetings: https://zoom.us/j/92047771927

Meeting ID: 920 4777 1927 or join by phone 888-475-4499

All meetings will also be live-streamed on Channel 18 and the Town of Barnstable Facebook page. All sessions will be recorded and posted to the Town of Barnstable website or www.barnstablewaterresources.com for later viewing.