The Buzzards Bay Coalition is making progress in kick-starting its septic to sewer incentive program, with the Board of Public Works’ “conceptual” approval of a lower sewer connection fee coming out of its Thursday, Aug. 29 meeting. 

Designed to reduce the approximately 3,200 pounds of nitrogen entering the Apponagansett Bay watershed annually, “Connect to Protect Apponagansett Bay” would allow residents to connect to sewer with the help of the program's financial and technical assistance.

Over 150 Dartmouth properties along the Apponagansett Bay watershed are on septic but overlay the existing sewer network and the proposed plan could help some of them get connected, according to Dan Goulart, Buttonwood to Bay project manager for the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Goulart said this figure has been narrowed down to 122 properties, not including 11 that have been mandated connection by the Department of Public Health, with the goal being to connect 40 homes over the next two years. 

“This is a voluntary program, and we want people to see it as an opportunity to make this change, increase their property value, increase the flexibility of their property use and contribute to the water quality in the Apponagansett Bay,” Goulart said.

The Board of Public works agreed to lower the sewer connection fee for program participants from $2,500 to $1,500, pending more information on the overall financial impact of the program.

Additionally, this $1,500 fee would be lowered to $600 through the use of funds from the Environmental Protection Agency Pilot Watershed Initiative Grant and other sources sought out by the Coalition.

Given the additional funding sources and that this would increase the number of residents paying sewer fees, board member Ronald Labelle said he thinks lowering the connection fee is worth it. 

“I think it’s critical to a lot of things,” he noted. 

A memorandum of agreement between the Coalition and the town has been penned and is awaiting the approval of Interim Co-Town Administrator Chris Vitale and town counsel. The Coalition will be meeting with the Select Board Monday, Sept. 9 to present the project and seek their support for marketing and public engagement. 

Goulart said the Coalition will send out a mailer to homeowners and follow up with those who show interest, with October being the anticipated start of the program.