Development News for Charlton, Massachusetts

Route 20 Infrastructure Updates; Maintenance Responsibilities and Funding Transfer Discussed

Chris from McClure Engineering provided updates on water system status. He confirmed that DOT replaced sewer structures and water gate boxes along Route 20 during paving, and these replacements were necessary due to age. He noted that while Southbridge operates the water system, Charlton owns and is responsible for its infrastructure maintenance, including valves and gate boxes, which are not being actively maintained by Southbridge beyond flushing. The town receives an annual transfer from water sales for infrastructure improvements. He recommended that the commission explore maintenance for these components. Chris also mentioned that they are awaiting an update from the DEP regarding challenges with rechlorination for a tank project. He will distribute the intermunicipal agreement (IMA) between Charlton and Southbridge to the commission for review, clarifying roles and responsibilities.

Faulty Meter Billing Dispute Resolved with Abatement; Future Issues Anticipated

The commission addressed an issue regarding a faulty water meter at 147 City Depot Road. The customer, Randy Leau, was upset about being charged a flat rate of approximately $311.32 due to not receiving certified letters regarding meter issues sent in late February/early March. His previous bills were estimated between $70-$90. The commission recommended abating the current bill to $95, as the meter has since been fixed and will provide accurate billing going forward. The commission acknowledged that other customers may also face similar situations due to backlogs of faulty meters and issues with mailing addresses. The discussion also touched upon the town's ability to track unpaid bills and potentially place liens on properties, a process handled by the treasurer-collector's office after a certain point.

Pump Station Fuel Tank Solutions Explored; External Tank Option Presented

Vinnie provided an update on projects, including the 35 North Main Street proposal which was previously heard and approved. He also discussed solutions for the North Main Street pump station's fuel tank issue. Options included replacing the original tank (approx. $10,000), installing a temporary day tank ($11,000), or an external fuel tank from Charlton Oil Company for under $5,000. The external tank option includes a concrete pad and roof, but does not cover other necessary generator repairs like the block heater and battery, which would still require FM Generator. The commission decided against needing a formal motion for this, opting for open discussion to address the issue promptly.

Sewer Commission Approves Reduced Development at 35 North Main Street, Defers Tie-in Fee Pending Rate Study

The commission considered a proposal for sewer connections at 35 North Main Street. The project has been significantly reduced in scale since March. It now comprises nine separate lots (seven on North Main Street, two on El Stevens Road), each with one duplex (two bedrooms per unit). The North Main Street lots will have 14 units and 28 bedrooms, with a calculated flow of 3,600 gallons per day. The two lots on El Stevens Road will be serviced by Title 5 systems, as there is no sewer infrastructure there. The request is for seven sewer connections on North Main Street. The calculated flow is less than half of the previous proposal. The commission discussed that the previous proposal's issue was being a sewer extension, which is not permitted, not exceeding the 10,000 gallons per day limit. Concerns were raised about the North Main Street pump station's capacity, but it was deemed sufficient. The project is below the moratorium level. The commission debated approving the tie-in while deferring the tie-in fee due to an ongoing rate study. A motion was made to approve the seven connections, allowing the developer to proceed, with the tie-in fee to be resolved later, pending the rate study results, which are estimated to be four to six weeks away.