OXFORD — The Board of Selectmen granted Oxford Casino Hotel a $27,000 abatement on its sewer account after reviewing data Thursday night showing that bills issued last quarter were based on miscalculations of water volumes sent to the town’s wastewater treatment facility.
Town Manager Adam Garland explained that charges issued at the start of each month were much higher than what was shown at the end of the previous month.
“They are requesting an abatement of $26,884,” Garland told the board. “It sounds like a lot, but their bill is generally between $10,000-$15,000 a quarter. The quarterly volume shows an amount significantly more than normal. But when you look at each individual month it adds up to about $13,000, which is more in line with the usual amount they pay.”
The average quarterly consumption of water is 4,100 gallons, but during the last quarter the meter indicated to be more than 32,000 gallons.
Garland said that Sewer Department Superintendent Zhenya Shevchenko reviewed what was processed at the wastewater facility and found no increased input from the casino. Lines at the plant and at the casino have been checked and there does not appear to be any leaks at either end.
“It appears there is some kind of meter, or reporting, problem. After applying the rebate, it brings the charges down to $13,318, which is in line with the norm.”
Selectmen voted to approve the abatement and suggested installing a new meter and closely monitoring volumes going forward.
Selectmen then approved real estate tax abatement requests for property owner Darren Chouinard of $131.12 and property owners Lance and Cathy Lashin of $821.04.
Oxford’s new full-time assessor, Colleen Halse, attended the meeting but board members unanimously passed both requests without comment or question.
In other business, the board voted to accept $4,630 in drug forfeiture funds and an anonymous donation of $3,000 for the Oxford Police Department’s DARE reserve account.
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