CANTON – The town auditor is recommending a sewer rate hike to pay for capital improvements and boost reserves, selectmen were told Wednesday night.
Canton Sewer Department Superintendent John Cronin said equipment is nearly 20 years old and some sections will have to be replaced in the near future.
There are 167 homes on the system.
The auditor reported that the sewer account is solvent, but major repairs in 2004 have cut into capital improvement funds, and there is less in reserve than is prudent. He suggested a rate increase.
Selectmen said they hope to keep an increase to a minimum.
Diane Ray, chairman of the Special Projects Committee, plans to meet with Cronin, who is also a trustee of the water district, and the town to discuss the impact that buyouts of homes in the floodplain will have on the town’s water and sewer departments.
The buyouts involve homes damaged in the December 2003 flood, and all use town water and sewer service.
Administrative Assistant Kathy Hutchins said all of the flood zone area is served by town water and sewer. “The impact will be major,” she said.
Ray reported that the top 10 homes on the buyout list have been appraised. The committee is working on an application for a $3 million Community Development Block Grant, which is due Feb. 15.
The board was informed that John O’Donnell has completed most of the field work on the town’s revaluation, and homeowners will be sent letters informing them of the new property values. O’Donnell hopes to set up meetings with homeowners, as needed, by mid-March.
Public hearings will be held in early March on revisions of the subdivision and junkyard ordinances. The revisions will be on the March 12 town meeting warrant.
Voters in the March 11 election will decide positions for two selectmen, three Planning Board members, four Budget Committee members and a road commissioner. Craig Gammon has taken out papers for road commissioner and Wallace Haynes, Richard Ray and James Adley have taken out papers for selectman.
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