Board revisits sewer policy

By Matthew Bernat
Turley Publications Staff Writer

STURBRIDGE - Five years ago selectmen enacted a sewer connection moratorium, since then the board has heard requests that – all told – amount to 77,874 gallons per day.
At first glance that’s a lot of water. However, the total includes gallons the board has rescinded. What the number does reflect is a potential volume the system might need to accommodate residential and commercial development.
To mitigate future problems Town Administrator Shaun Suhoski presented the board with an interim sewer policy at the May 10 work session. The change followed a recent sewer request, and the specter of legal action raised by a denied proponent’s complaint the current process is “arbitrary and capricious.” The complainant was denied a connection last summer and appeared before the board in March with legal representation.
The new policy is designed to help the board award gallons, without exceeding capacity, until a new wastewater treatment plant is built, Suhoski said.
“My feeling is the board should have a document that gives you some flexibility,” Suhoski said, noting the new policy should allow for “good commonsense decisions, on a case-by-case basis.”
The policy echoes the existing bylaw, Suhoski said, noting the first few points – all connections need a purpose, connections are limited to lots existing before Dec. 31, 2001 and connections must be in or near the existing sewer area – are all covered in the bylaw.
New proposals added include: approving connections to improve an existing environmental concern, including but not limited to a failed septic system; wetland provisions and the lawful change of a structure from a residential to a commercial use or vice versa.
Joining selectmen was Department of Public Works Director Greg Morse to discuss the sewer policy.
Morse cautioned board members to be aware of sites in town, currently empty, that may soon be occupied and start using the large number of gallons allocated to them. The plaza that houses Ames, and the Basketville building, are two such sites, Morse said. He also said lots currently listed as “un-buildable” could change status and become “buildable” lots if purchased by adjacent sites, which could add to the site’s daily usage.
Selectwoman Mary Dowling suggested adding a clause to the policy that states nothing in the policy be construed to limit the board’s discretion to allocate gallons, citing the treatment plant’s capacity as the reason.
After their discussion, board members agreed to send revisions back to Suhoski. The changes will be incorporated into the policy and considered at a later date.