Commission allows seven sewer connections at 35 North Main while deferring tie-in fees to rate study

The Charlton Water & Sewer Commission voted on June 3 to permit seven sewer connections for a downsized development at 35 North Main, but postponed any decision on connection fees until a pending rate study is complete.

Corin Peterson, representing the project proponent, told the commission the plan has been reduced from an earlier scheme that would have produced about 7,260 gallons per day to seven duplex lots on North Main (14 units, 28 bedrooms). Using Title 5 design calculations, the applicant's consultant estimated a design flow of 3,060 gallons per day.

"Today, this project has been significantly reduced in scale," Peterson said, adding that the Title 5 flows were used as the conservative design basis. The commission signaled it was comfortable accepting the lower flow into the system.

Commissioners raised two practical concerns: whether the North Main pump station could handle the additional flow, and what tie-in fees applicants should pay. Vinny (water department operations staff) said the pump station "will handle this realistically" and that the flow "will be okay."

Several commissioners said the town's rate study must be completed before setting new connection charges. Commissioner Tom Coleman moved the language of a motion to "allow the 3,060 gallons per day of flow" but defer determination of tie-in fees until the rate study sets new rates. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

The outcome allows the developer to proceed with design and on-site work while leaving the financial terms to be settled once the rate consultant returns recommendations. The commission expects the rate study updates in roughly four to six weeks.

The commission did not set a specific deadline for the developer to accept the final tie-in fee; commissioners said staff would bring the fee recommendation back to the next appropriate meeting once the consultant completes its comparisons to peer towns.