Orleans OKs $4.2M for wastewater plan

May 16--ORLEANS -- The town will take a substantial step forward in its wastewater planning with approval of new spending Tuesday at the annual town election.

With a vote of 648-234, the town will spend $4.22 million in the coming fiscal year for planning, engineering and adaptive management activities to continue work on the town's sewer plans, along with use of nontraditional water-cleansing technologies in some areas of town.

The spending approved Tuesday is in advance of an estimated $58 million for construction of a wastewater collection and cleansing system in fiscal years 2020 through 2024, according to the town's capital improvements plan. For the overall project, town officials expect to be able to qualify for a zero percent loan over 30 years from a state program, and the selectmen are finalizing what aspects of the total cost will be borne by whom.

The spending, which is above the property taxation limits set by the state Proposition 2 1/2 law, was also approved at the May 7 annual town meeting. There will be minimum impact on a property tax bill in 2020, with interest only, Finance Director Cathy Doane said.

Election turnout was 17 percent, with 904 of the town's 5,267 registered voters casting a ballot.

Two other commitments with long-term implications were also approved Tuesday.

With a tally of 589-285, voters agreed to permanently fund $450,000 a year to cover the town's liability for future town retiree health insurance and other post-employment benefits. The permanent increase in property taxes would have a fiscal 2019 tax rate impact of 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $60.50 for a property valued at a median of $550,000. The override also was approved at the annual town meeting.

Residents also voted 646-245 to permanently add $275,000 each year into a new affordable housing trust fund. An old fund is being dissolved, and the new fund gives housing planners more flexibility to buy property. With approval of the override at the election and at the annual town meeting, taxes in fiscal 2019 would go up 7 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $38.50 for a property with a median assessed value.

A proposal to spend $775,000 to build a new beach office and restrooms at Skaket Beach was defeated, 469-401. The proposal was also rejected at town meeting.

Voters approved, 721-167, paying the town's share for the design, construction, equipping and furnishing of a new Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich. In October 2017, voters in 12 Cape towns overwhelmingly approved building the new $128 million high school. The town of Orleans does not yet have an estimated debt figure, Doane said.

Town leaders will be able to move ahead with planning at Nauset Beach after a 737-156 vote to approve $175,000 to prepare a master plan and design for a phased move inland of town facilities such as the beach office and 900-space parking lot. The measure would increase property taxes starting in fiscal 2020 for five years by an average of 0.0097 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, or $5.35 a year for a property assessed at the town's median value.

In a follow-up to approval at a 2017 town meeting, a charter change was adopted to change the moderator's term from one year to three years.

In uncontested races, Kevin Galligan was elected to fill the three-year seat vacated by Board of Selectmen Chairman Jon Fuller, who decided not to see re-election.

Moderator David Lyttle was re-elected, as was Housing Authority incumbent B. Gilbert Merritt for a five-year term.

On the Board of Health, Joseph Hartung and Luke Chapman were both re-elected for three-year terms.

Housing Authority incumbent B. Gilbert Merritt was re-elected for a five-year term, while Joshua Stewart was re-elected to the Orleans Elementary School Committee for a three-year term.

On the Snow Library Board of Trustees, Carolyn Dowd, Mary Beth Fincke and Mary Reuland were re-elected for three three-year seats.

-- Follow Mary Ann Bragg on Twitter: @MaryAnnBraggCCT.

___

(c)2018 Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass.

Visit Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass. at www.capecodtimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.