Longmeadow Select Board hashes out proposed changes to sewer metering

Dec. 22, 2020 | Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW – The Longmeadow Select Board furthered its discussion of winter averaging and irrigation meters at its Dec. 21 meeting.

Winter averaging takes the average sewer use over the winter months and charges that rate throughout the year. This concept is aimed at separating the amount of water a household uses from the amount of sewer use for which it is charged. In doing so, homeowners would not receive sewer charges for water that is used for irrigation or lawn-watering and does not enter the sewer.

Similarly, irrigation meters would determine how much water is used outdoors and keep it separate from charges for in-home water and sewer usage.

Selectman Richard Foster, who had taken the lead on the issue of inequitable water and sewer bills, stated in the documentation he provided the board that with either winter averaging or installation of irrigation meters, “revenue amounts will remain the same, but some customers will pay more and some will pay less depending on how much sewage they actually generate.”

Longmeadow caps sewer usage at 220 units per year. Because of this, Foster made the argument in his writing on the issue, “Our current system is unfair to many people and tends to reward heavy water users. It is like a reverse Robin Hood; we take from the less advantaged and give to the advantaged.”

Foster insisted during the meeting, “There’s a tremendous amount of customers who wouldn’t get near that 220 number.”

Select Board Clerk Steven Marantz commented that a system that rewards heavy users while hurting light users is a “red flag.”

On the issue of irrigation meters, which would cost the homeowner about $800 to install, Select Board Chair Thomas Lachuisa asked if there would be any advantage to those who just water their lawn occasionally. Foster acknowledged, “There’s a lot of people who would not benefit, period.” The more water a household uses outdoors, the sooner they would recoup the cost of the meter.

Because Longmeadow both pays for water and to have sewer treated, extra water in the sewers is a financial issue. Foster spoke about inflow and infiltration, which result in higher sewer usage than water usage. Infiltration is when groundwater enters the sewer system through loose joints and cracks, while inflow is water discharged into the sewer system through manhole covers or from homeowner sump pumps or downspouts. Foster said that inflow issues can be tackled with public education.

Lachiusa noted it would take a lot of work to track down every user tied into the system and questioned whether it would be worth it.

“I think we need to keep our water and sewer revenue-neutral,” Selectman Mark Gold said. “For everybody who pays less, other people pay more.”

The conversation was tabled for the moment.

The board approved an increase in recycling fees from the Department of Public Works. While the sticker fee would stay at $45 per year per household with seniors eligible for a $10 savings, the price to dispose of certain products would go up. Televisions 17 inches or larger increased from $10 to $15 and computer monitors doubled in price to $10. Carpeting, which was formerly $10 to dispose of is now considered a “bulk item,” and as such will cost $40. Sleeper sofas are also $40 for disposal.

Fire Chief John Dearborn reported that the number of COVID cases over a 14-day period has increased to 102, with the positive test rate rising from 2.73 percent to 4.6 percent. For perspective, he noted that Hampden County’s positive test rate is 8.55 percent and it is 6 percent statewide. The town had 60 active cases as of the meeting.

Dearborn said that most cases are the result of family spread, sports activities, and gatherings.

The board appointed three people to open positions on the Board of Health. Of the five individuals who interviewed, Michele Keane-Moore was appointed to a three-year term, to expire in June 2023; Gregory Valania was appointed to a three-year term to expire in June 2022 and Christine Beaumont was appointed for a one-year term to expire in June 2021.

The board also appointed Graham Josser to the Cable Advisory Committee for a one-year term.

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