The Board of Public Works has moved forward in authorizing the department’s director to reduce fees for septic to sewer connections for residences along the Apponagensett Bay watershed by $1,000 — under a few conditions.

At its Thursday, Jan. 23 meeting, the Board Chair Robert Almy listed a number of “findings,” or conditions, related to the Buzzard’s Bay Coalition’s “Connect to Protect Apponagensett Bay” sewer connection incentive program. If met, these conditions would allow the director to reduce the program’s fees. 

These conditions include meeting state and federal law in efforts to protect water quality, the state identifying nitrogen as a “problematic pollutant” in the Bay and that the Coalition has identified replacing septic with sewer as a cost effective way to reduce nitrogen. 

Additionally, the conditions include the Coalition obtaining funds to help pay for the necessary work as well as that homes that have paid betterment fees to the town may connect so long as they’ve met construction standards using approved contractors.

The remaining conditions, which were adopted along with the vote to approve authorization, include the Coalition’s wish to encourage sewer connection through incentivization and existence of the town’s two cost reduction programs: the fuel assistance program and solid waste SMART program discount. 

Almy noted those who wish to receive the reduced connection fee must qualify for one of the town’s existing assistance programs. 

The program was designed to reduce the approximately 3,200 pounds of nitrogen entering the Apponagansett Bay watershed annually and restore water quality. The pilot program would allow residents to connect to sewer with the help of the program's financial and technical assistance. 

About 80 of the 122 Dartmouth properties along the bay’s watershed that are on septic, but overlay the existing sewer network, have been narrowed down for the qualifications of the program. The goal of the two-year pilot is to connect 40 homes.

The board previously “conceptually” approved a reduced sewer connection fee, bringing the cost down from $2,500 to $1,500 for program participants. Participants would additionally receive $600 in assistance from the Coalition.

Homeowners along the watershed who qualify for the pilot will be contacted and provided with information about the program.