JAY — Selectmen on Monday approved a new policy to govern sewer billing, effective July 1.
Under the plan, winter quarter water-use readings will be used to calculate sewer bills. Last January, the board set the minimum base sewer rate at $250 for 3,200 cubic feet of water used. Any amount of water used above that would be multiplied by 0.0558 per cubic foot and added to the $250.
Selectmen agreed to put a cap on sewer bills during the first year of the change so no one would pay more than double what they pay this year.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Steve McCourt and Vice Chairman Warren Bryant said some residents have voiced concern about the fairness of using just the winter quarter water reading.
McCourt asked why they didn’t get all four quarter readings and add them together and average them.
Sewer Department Superintendent Mark Holt said it costs about $1,000 to buy one quarter’s water readings from the Jay, North Jay and Livermore Falls water districts that serve Jay. If the department bought readings for the other three quarters, it would cost $3,000 more and office time for those who do the sewer billing.
Other towns, such as Livermore Falls and Farmington, use the winter quarter water readings, he said. By doing so, it eliminates water used for gardens, car washing, lawns and other types of seasonal activities that doesn’t go into the sewer system, Holt said.
The town will purchase the winter water use readings and multiply the amount by four to arrive at an annual use for billing purposes, he said.
Bryant said one person he spoke to was concerned about using the winter quarter because they go to camp each summer.
Using the winter quarter is fairest to all, Holt said. It is a lot easier to deal with 20 or 30 people that may have a special circumstance than 800, he said.
“As long as it is fair and equitable,” Bryant said.
People who believe they qualify for a special circumstance, such as a seasonal resident, must contact the town office before March 1 of each year.
The policy states that those who winter in warmer climates, move to camp or cottage for summer months, or are otherwise away for extended periods of time, or use an outdoor faucet during the winter quarter, the town will use the previous year’s total water use for sewer billing purposes.
A property owner who uses an outdoor water faucet where the water does not go into the sewer system and who wants to have the quantity of water deducted will be required to buy a water meter from the Sewer Department for the faucet, the policy states.
For those who use large quantities of water, which may vary greatly from quarter to quarter, the town will use the previous year’s total water use for sewer billing.
A residential customer who does not have a water meter has the option of installing and maintaining one in good and serviceable condition at their own expense so the town can read the meter.
If the owner does not want a water meter, the town will assess a sewer fee based on the number of bedrooms.
Schools and town buildings will also be assessed sewer fees. Currently they are not.
The Sewer Department is also funded through town-wide taxation.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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