Orleans Voters OK Additional $12M for Sewer Project ORLEANS — Under a blazing sun and with chairs paired and properly distanced, close to 400 voters conducted their business at the town’s first outdoor town meeting. Couples sat together under umbrellas. Many wore hats and sunblock. White arrows indicated the direction to walk between aisles and around the track adjacent to the Nauset Middle School. The temperature was 83 degrees and climbing at the start of the 10 a.m. meeting. Fire rescue crews stood ready and passed out bottled water for those in need.
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electman Kevin Galligan made a motion to move up for early consideration Article 42 — which sought an additional $12 million to fund the downtown sewer project — because of the amount requested and because four other articles were contingent on its passage. The cost of the downtown sewer project, initially estimated at $47,276,200, was approved by voters at last year’s town meeting. The cost increased to $59,494,200. Richard Hartmann, chairman of the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners, said the increase was driven by bids that came in much higher than expected; the design at Stop & Shop that required more work than planned; increased costs for a storage facility; increased labor costs and supply chain disruptions because of COVID-19. Finance Committee Chairwoman Lynne Bruneau said the original cost of $47.2 million was based on the 30% design that was required by the timeline set by the state. Orleans applied for a 0% loan from the State Revolving Fund to finance the project, which it received. Under State Revolving Fund guidelines, towns that fall below the state’s average median income are eligible for up to 10% loan forgiveness. That 10% forgiveness had been assumed in the project’s financial plan.
JULY, 2020 2016 SEPTEMBER,
On June 18, the Finance Committee learned the town didn’t qualify for the forgiveness program. The 10%, or $6 million, will be added to the 30-year term at 0% interest. The Finance Committee gave its unanimous support to the article, after which a brief discussion ensued. The article passed by the required two-thirds vote. Voters approved four articles that included funding for a comprehensive water resource management plan, water quality projects at Brewster and Locust Roads, water services and water main replacements. These were all contingent on the passage of additional funding for the downtown sewer project. continued on page 57
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