Local business owner asks commission for reduced tie-in fee after Board of Health's requirement

Randy Labeau, owner of the Charlton Laundromat at 9 City Depot Road, pleaded for a lower connection fee after telling the Charlton Water & Sewer Commission the Board of Health told him to tie in George's Pizza, a tenant in the same building.

Labeau said he had been told by a contractor that Charlton's tie-in fee would be $2,500; later he was told the Charlton portion would total about $44,000. "That's not affordable for me whatsoever," Labeau said, describing limited small-business margins and years of reinvestment in the property.

Commissioners asked whether the board of health would accept tying in only the pizza shop rather than the entire building and requested usage estimates so Labeau could understand likely ongoing water bills. Vinny said the commission could estimate water usage from existing sewer-meter data and apply Southbridge rates for a projected quarterly bill.

Commissioners agreed to gather the following before the next meeting: a usage-based cost estimate for the pizza shop and the full building, confirmation from the Board of Health whether tying only the pizza shop satisfies the public-health requirement, and a formal list of plumbing readiness documentation Labeau said he already had. The item was postponed for one month so staff can collect that information.

No fee waiver or reduction was granted at the meeting; commissioners said they have discretion to adjust fees but need better cost and regulatory information to make a fair determination.