It is the purpose of this article to provide for recovery of
costs from the users of the Town's wastewater disposal system for
the implementation of the programs established herein. The applicable
charges or fees shall be set forth herein.
A.
The Sewer Commission may adopt charges and fees, which may include:
(1)
Fees for reimbursement of costs of setting up and operating
the Town's pretreatment program.
(2)
Fees for monitoring, inspections and surveillance procedures.
(3)
Fees for reviewing accidental discharge procedures and construction.
(4)
Fees for permit applications and licenses.
(5)
Fees for filing appeals and DEP filings.
(6)
Fees for consistent removal by the POTW of pollutants otherwise
subject to federal pretreatment standards.
(7)
Fees for connecting to municipal sewer.
(8)
Betterment and privilege fees.
(9)
Project review fees.
(10)
Other fees as the Sewer Commissioners may deem necessary to
carry out the requirements contained herein.
B.
These fees relate solely to the matters covered by this article and
are separate from all other fees chargeable by the Town.
A.
For all properties connected to the Lunenburg sanitary sewer system,
an annual sewer user charge will be levied as authorized by MGL c.
83, § 16. The Sewer Commission is empowered to set this
rate annually or as otherwise necessary to recover all costs of operation
and maintenance of the wastewater facilities. The costs will be proportioned
to all users on the basis of the annual volume of waste treated, which
will be computed from the property owners' metered water billing.
The sewer user charge may be adjusted each year, as necessary to reflect
the annual operation and maintenance costs of the Town's sewer system.
B.
The Sewer Commission is empowered to establish a minimum charge that
would ensure user charges imposed on low water users cover the fixed
costs of operating and maintaining the wastewater system.
(1)
Minimum charge policy. If the water meter is on and there is
no flow, there is still a minimum charge. If the water meter is off
and it is confirmed that there is no flow during the billing period,
the minimum charge may be waived.
(a)
There shall be no proration on new accounts (billed full quarter
minimum) and meters disconnected within a quarter (full quarterly
minimum). Even parcels that get a final read on an outgoing owner
receive the full minimum for the remainder of the quarter (to cover
setup/administration costs);
(b)
New construction or reconnection on a demo/rebuild shall begin
to be assessed upon the activation of the meter by the Lunenburg Water
Department.
C.
The Sewer Commission is empowered to establish a flat rate that would
be equitable with other similar users in cases where properties do
not have metered water records available (i.e., in the case of homes
on private wells).
D.
The Sewer Commission is empowered to make appropriate adjustments
in the sewer user charge in cases where significant quantities of
water do not reach the sanitary sewer system.
(1)
One-time bill adjustment policy.
(a)
A resident wishing to receive a one-time adjustment to his/her
sewer bill will need to submit the appropriate application for waiver
of sewer charges form to the Sewer Commission office.
(b)
If approved, the Sewer Commission will waive that portion of
the water usage that is greater than the usage average of the last
four quarterly bills. The amount of the waiver cannot reduce the billing
amount below the current minimum.
(2)
Irrigation meters. Homeowners can contract with a licensed plumber
to obtain a plumbing permit at the Town Clerk's office and have an
irrigation meter installed at their residence, readable from the outside.
The Plumbing Inspector for the Town must inspect the irrigation meter
installation. When the Plumbing Inspector signs off on the installation,
the Commission is advised and the location is added to the quarterly
irrigation meter reading process, timed to coincide closely with the
date that the Water Department takes its readings. At the time of
billing, the irrigation reading is deducted from the water reading
and the homeowner receives a reduced bill for the water not entering
the sewer pipes. The minimum charge applies at all times, and at no
time does the irrigation meter credit reduce the usage amount to below
the minimum charge.
E.
If any sewer user discharges waste to the public sewer system in
excess of normal strength domestic wastes, the Commission may assess
a surcharge for the additional costs for treating such waste.
F.
User charges shall be payable by the property owner on a quarterly
basis, commencing from the time of connection to the Town sanitary
sewer system. In such cases of new construction or reconnection, connection
will be determined by the date the water meter is turned on. This
quarterly billing shall be assessed against the property owner of
record.
(1)
Final read policy. A resident who takes ownership of a residence/commercial
establishment within a billing period will receive at least a full
minimum charge invoice for the first quarter, regardless of whether
the prior owner received a final read invoice at the time of closing.
In the case of rental properties, where a final read invoice is requested,
this policy will also apply.
The Sewer Connection Charge Policy (Appendix G, Sewer Connection
Charge Policy[1]) for the Lunenburg sewer service area is as follows:
A.
A minimum residential connection charge of $2,250 shall be assessed to each dwelling unit (as defined by the Lunenburg Protective Bylaw, § 250-2.1) connecting to the Lunenburg sewer system. Each separate unit of a multifamily dwelling shall constitute a separate residential connection.
B.
For dwelling units in excess of three bedrooms, the connection charge
shall be the minimum charge plus an additional $550 for each additional
bedroom beyond three bedrooms.
C.
For mixed-use residential and commercial buildings, the connection
charge shall be the minimum charge plus an additional $550 for each
bedroom beyond three bedrooms together with a charge of $5 per gallon
based upon water usage (in gallons) attributable to the nonresidential
uses of the property for the twelve-month period immediately preceding
the connection to the sewer divided by 365.
D.
For nonresidential structures, the connection charge shall be the
greater of the minimum charge or $5 per gallon based upon total water
usage (in gallons) attributable to the property for the twelve-month
period immediately preceding the connection to the sewer divided by
365.
E.
For new nonresidential structures, the connection charge shall be
the greater of the minimum charge or $5 per gallon based upon Title
5 (310 CMR 15.203) of the State Environment Code of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, Minimum Requirements for the Subsurface Disposal
of Sanitary Sewage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission,
in its sole discretion, may review the application of these provisions
to individual buildings and may reduce a connection charge for newly
constructed nonresidential structures if it appears that the application
of the Title 5 flow calculations would result in an unfair assessment
upon the building owner.
F.
In addition, a charge of $2 per gallon based on Title 5 flow criteria.
|
Example:
|
1 bedroom (1 x 110 gpd x $2) = $220
2 bedroom (2 x 110 gpd x $2) = $440
|
G.
The sewer reconnection charge is a flat fee of $1,000 to apply to
sites previously connected, that were either demolished or replaced,
and a reconnection is necessary, requiring a subsequent inspection
by Sewer Department personnel.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix G is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
At the time a new extension or connection which results in a privilege
fee is approved or at the time of assessment of a new betterment,
each affected property will pay a reserve capacity fee amount that
is in effect at that time. Effective July 8, 2014, the fee will be
$1.87 per gallon based on Title 5 flow criteria.
|
Example:
|
1)
2)
|
3 bedroom (3 x 110 gallons x $1.87) = $617
4 bedroom (4 x 110 gallons x $1.87) = $823
|
C.
This revenue will be allocated to a separately tracked account that
will be used to fund past and future costs of securing capacity for
the Lunenburg sewer system. (See Appendix J, Reserve Capacity Fee
Policy.[2])
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendix J is included as an attachment to this chapter.
