Mashpee Clean Water Plan FAQ
FAQs about the Mashpee Clean Water Plan
Q: Why is there a debt exclusion for this on the Town Meeting warrant? Why do I have to vote twice?
A: The $54 million cost of Phase 1 of the Town’s Clean Water Plan is entirely covered by grants and previously authorized or existing revenue. A debt exclusion vote is necessary to maintain the Town’s excellent credit
rating but the vote will not result in additional property taxes beyond what has been approved by voters in the past. The approval process for this phase has two steps. The vote on Article 6 at Annual Town Meeting requires a two-thirds majority to authorize the Town to incur debt. Question 1 on the May 8 annual Town Election ballot requires a simple majority and allows the debt to be outside of the levy limit.
Q: What is the total cost? All phases?
A: The total cost of the entire Clean Water Plan is not known at this point because the role shellfish will play in cleaning our waters is not known. There are up to 5 phases but all of those may not be needed if shellfish are more effective than conservative estimates used as part of the plan. Even under the best case scenario shellfish cannot be relied upon to do the entire job, which is why Phase 1 is necessary. Each phase, if deemed necessary, will be placed before voters for approval.
Q: How much will it cost to connect to the sewer? What is the annual cost if I am connected?
A: Property owners who live in the sewer area will be required to connect and the cost will depend primarily on the distance from the sewer line to their homes. For this reason, the cost for smaller lots tends to be less than it is for larger lots. Loans for the connections, which won’t be required until the end of 2024, are available
through Barnstable County or through the Town and a 40 percent tax credit is available that will offset the cost on a dollar by dollar basis up to $6,000. The annual sewer rate is still to be determined based on operational costs and usage. (See “The cost to connect” for more details, including examples from other towns.)
Q: Will the treatment facility be visible? Will it smell?
A: No. The treatment facility will be shielded from any road or nearby homes. The closest distance between the fence surrounding the facility and the nearest road is 150 feet, which is three times what is required by the
state Department of Environmental Protection. In addition, landscaping and a buffer of woods will be used to screen the fencing. No treatment process occurs outside and all potential odors from the process inside the building will be captured and treated through a two-step process. (See “The treatment facility” for more details.)
Q: Were other locations considered for collection and treatment? Why was this one selected?
A: Yes. Locations throughout Mashpee were evaluated for suitability and several sites were specifically identified for further study. Some of those sites may be used for treatment and discharge needs in the future, including existing treatment facilities in Mashpee and at Joint Base Cape Cod. The site at the current Transfer Station was chosen for this phase of the plan based on the area considered the highest priority for nitrogen removal, the property’s central location to the area being served, the fact that the Town already owns it, its size, and favorable site conditions, among other criteria.
Q: Will traffic be disrupted or rerouted during construction of the collection system?
A: Yes but the town will develop a traffic mitigation program and will publicize any disruptions or detours well in advance.
● More on the Town’s Clean Water Plan: mashpeewaters.com
● Special and Annual Town Meeting 7 p.m. May 3, 2021 at Mashpee Middle-High School
● Annual Town Election 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. May 8, 2021 at Quashnet School
● The full warrant is posted at https://www.mashpeema.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3426/f/pages/may_3_2021_to...