Special election this Tuesday for sewer plant upgrade override
BY MARY LANCASTER
The Special Town Meeting article seeking approval of a $9.5 million appropriation to supplement the $35.5 million cost to upgrade the Surfside Wastewater Treatment Facilty passed muster without discussion and that proposal now goes to the voters next Monday.

From 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31, residents will cast thumbs up or thumbs down ballots on Question One, a debt exclusion override request to help cover the unanticipated cost overrun for the upgrading discovered when project bids were received in June. Though no specific amount is contained in the ballot question, the intent is to have entire amount for the project split in thirds between taxpayers, sewer users and those connecting to sewer in the future. The 34 percent taxpayer portion equals approximately $3.2 million.

A debt exclusion override allows towns to raise property taxes above the two and a half percent annual increase ceiling to pay for debt service costs. The additional tax only lasts until the debt is paid. A majority approval is required by the electorate for the exclusion to succeed.

According to a fact sheet prepared by the town administrator prior to Monday's meeting, using a 2004 average assessed home value, the project will add $62 more per year in property tax for 20 years for sewered and non-sewered taxpayers inside and out of the town district. Non-sewered taxpayers within the district will pay $6,600 in a privilege charge and a $2,000 connection fee if they link into the town sewer. Sewered taxpayers will see about $115 added per year to their sewer bill for 20 years.

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