KENT, Conn.—James Delillo, a resident of Maple Street Ext., has approached the Sewer Commission asking for a discount on his connection fee to the sewer main.
Delillo declined connection to the system when it was completed in 2014. At that time, connection fees were discounted by 50 percent for those who completed their connection by Oct. 30, 2015.
Delillo told commissioners the week of Monday, July 7, that at the time he purchased his home 18 years ago it was a new building with a septic system estimated to last for 35 years.
He recently encountered a problem with the system and opted to connect to the town’s sewer at a cost of $5,627. He said that because he is a veteran and living on a limited income he deserved “consideration” and a return to the $2,813 rate offered to those who connected in 2014.
Commission Chairman Elissa Potts pointed out that he had not availed himself of the no-interest discounted fee a decade ago.
“His septic system was not collapsing; this was not an emergency collection. He chose to go on the system because he wants to sell his house. I appreciate his military service, but I don’t want to set a precedence,” she said.
Other commission members agreed, saying that if he were given a retroactive discount others would want it in the future. Town Treasurer Barbara Herbst added that the fee has already been paid into the town coffers and that “clawing back” the difference would be difficult.
In other business, Potts said she and sewer plant Superintendent Lyle Sommers would meet with wastewater engineers from the Beta Group to discuss work needed at the plant. The project would include relining the digester tank, purchase of a rag grinder, electrical and plumbing work and adding steel plants to replace the wood on the walkways.
She said the commission should be able to pay “solid estimate” of $85,883 for the work out of its budget.
