What exactly is happening in the Phase One and Two areas? Does this entail performing construction in the roadways and installing sewer lines to homes?

Answer

The CWMP recommends that once the CWMP planning is complete, the Town moves forward with design and construction in defined Needs Areas of the Town. Future construction activities recommended to be performed include the design and installation of sewer lines, pump stations, a wastewater treatment plant, and the groundwater discharge treatment system. Nearly all of this work is within the street right of way and on Town-owned properties. It is possible that easement(s) may be needed for certain areas, but that will be determined during a Preliminary Design Phase and after a survey of the proposed areas is complete. As part of the overall design, a sewer lateral stub is to be provided to each property at the edge of the right-of-way to allow property owners to connect to the new sewer system. A portion of a property’s frontage is part of the right-of-way, which will involve minor excavation to install the lateral out to that point, the lateral is then capped, and a witness marker is placed at the end of the lateral to easily locate it in the future when a connection is made. All areas that are disturbed by the construction will be returned to their original condition.

As part of the public portion of the project, construction typically does not enter onto private property. The stub (the pipe) is left at the end of the public way and does not encroach onto private lands. This is especially true if the project is financed through state and or federal funding, specifically when funded through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program as state and federal monies cannot be spent for benefit on privately owned lands. In the case of SRF and most federal and state funding initiatives, Certificate of Title to the land must be in the State or Town’s jurisdiction either by outright ownership or permanent easement. Property owners would ultimately be responsible for all work on their property, which includes the connection to the sewer

stub that is left at the edge of their property. As the project progresses, this location will be worked out between the Town and landowner for the most advantageous location for the property owner.