Kittery homeowners seek relief for new sewer line fee
Town councilors vote on revisions
Some Kittery homeowners will get some relief when it comes to paying for a new sewage line.
Town councilors took two votes Monday night on the fees homeowners will have to pay.
“I would expect my fees to be a little over $7,000," said Patricia Robillard, a resident.
Robillard said the price is a lot easier to take than the $21,000 bill she was originally handed.
“I think, in general, this has been a really long process, beginning back in January when residents received their estimated betterment fees, which were very overwhelming for any of us to even consider,” Robillard said.
Town Council Chairman Gary Beers said there was a lot of information to go through, but they were able to come up with a plan to drop the fees by two-thirds by reallocating around $2 million and making payments easier for residents.
“The result, I believe, is a body of documentation and a plan that is the best that we can achieve at any level,” Beers said.
Councilors voted 6-1 on the plan and unanimously on several ordinance revisions, including deferral, low-income homeowners, and a 20-year deferment for mandatory hook-ups on newer systems.
“So, for septic systems that are younger than 20 years old, you have until they’re 20 years of age before you have to hook up,” Robillard said.
The 10-year payment plan was extended to 18 years.
“That will really help people in my neighborhood,” Robillard said.
She said residents will have mixed emotions after the meeting.
“You know, people are relieved that their betterment fees have come down. At the same time, there are many people whose fees are quite high. Some folks that have really legitimate appeal rights,” Robillard said.
The town clerk is required to send each resident formal notification of what the new plan entails for them. Homeowners have the option to request a hearing in front of the council on Sept. 19.