A $14 million long-term Fiscal Sustainability Plan will be the focus of a public hearing held by South Berwick Sewer District trustees at 7:15 p.m., March 11, in the Town Hall auditorium.
A proposed variable rate increase from the current .012 per gallon to .014 per gallon, effective May 1, also will be discussed.
According to Tom Harmon, Sewer District administrator, a sustainability plan is required for any state or federal grant applications. The trustees sought the assistance of Wright-Pierce Engineering to develop the 10-year plan about 18 months ago.
Wright-Pierce produced a prioritized list of 13 recommended capital improvement projects to be completed between 2024 and 2031, based on the evaluation of assets – age, condition, remaining useful life, likelihood of failure and consequences of failure.
Replacement of the control panel, blower, and a sludge mixing tank upgrade costing nearly $1 million topped the priority list, said Harmon, and will be completed this year. Replacement of the waste handling equipment will be funded with capital reserves, profits from treatment of septic tank waste deposited by private businesses, and “hopefully grant money,” he said.
The impact of the proposed rate increase on individual sewer bills – two-tenths of a cent per gallon – will depend on the volume of water used, said Harmon. The average user of 12,000 gallons per quarter will see an increase of $24 on their quarterly bill.
There will be no additional increase to the basic service fee of $200 per year (or $50 per quarter) per unit, he said. Basic service fees are applied to operating costs and debt service. None of the other rates or fees listed on the notice sent to the district’s 1,693 users will increase, he said. A summary sheet of the Fiscal Sustainability Plan was also sent to users.
