BRISTOL — First there were concerns about the tax impact. Then there were questions about uncontrolled development. Then hoped-for grant funding did not materialize. Now, after more than three decades of delays, the Bristol Board of Selectmen is hoping to extend the municipal sewer lines to Newfound Lake.
The concerns are still there, as evidenced at a public hearing on Feb. 7. The presentation estimated that lake residents hooking into the new system would pay between $2,000 and $3,500 per year for 30 years if they were to bear the full $19.5 million cost of phases one and two of the sewer expansion; $1,200-$2,200 if half the cost were paid through general taxation; and $700-$800 per year if the cost were spread among all of those on the sewer system.
To mitigate that cost and bring Bristol’s share down to $10 million, selectmen are hoping to obtain a United States Department of Agriculture grant, and indicated that, without a grant, they would not move forward with the project.
Resident Boake Morrison predicted explosive development around the lake if sewer were available.
“I want the system to go in,” he said, “but there’s going to be hotels going up there,” he said.
Chair Rick Alpers said the planning board might need to update the zoning regulations to control development, but some protections already are in place because the ordinances were designed to limit the development that could occur when municipal water lines were installed.
The town last looked at a lake expansion in 2009, and used that engineering study as the basis for the current effort. Engineers have recommended a new route that takes the line between North Main Street and Hall Road, avoiding the downtown area where the work would disrupt Central Square and require replacing the recently installed sewer line. Using Hall Road would require pumping uphill, but it would be less expensive and less disruptive of the downtown area.
Alpers noted that the state of New Hampshire has shown interest in the project because Wellington State Park is a short distance from the Fowler River endpoint of the sewer expansion, and it may make sense for the park to tie into the line and share the cost.
If the project goes forward, Alpers said, “It will be a three- to four-year nightmare, because they’ll be working during the summer, but when it’s done, it’ll be good for the area.” The major benefit will be to protect the “gem” of the area: Newfound Lake.
Affordability
In promoting the project, the town has cited a median household income of $54,015 in Bristol. That is in sharp contrast to the median income figure of $35,000 cited when the town was looking to build a new town hall. Berkshire Hathaway’s website states Bristol’s median household income as being $46,058, while joeshimkus.com says it’s $46,287. The New Hampshire state website lists Bristol’s census-designated median household income — considered the most accurate — as being $49,643.
The question is whether people will be willing to take on more debt so soon after the square revitalization effort — where 50 percent of the sewer cost has been borne by the users and 50 percent by general taxation — and the purchase and renovation of the former Newfound Family Practice building as a new town hall.
Selectmen heard proposals for the town hall that would bring some cost savings as renovations take place. Through a partnership with Energy Management Consultants of Portland, Maine, and Eversource, the town is looking at LED lighting that promises energy savings of $4,000 per year. Eversource would pay half of the $16,180 project cost, according to Carl Edin of EMC, who also said his company is doing an energy audit of all town buildings. Some buildings also would qualify for the 50 percent rebate, while others will see savings only in the ongoing energy costs.
Selectmen also heard a presentation on a new heating-ventilation-air conditioning system at the new town hall which would bring substantial savings and better heating than the existing electric heating system. The change would reduce projected heating costs from $12,000 to $3,000 per year.
The board gave the go-ahead to Town Administrator Nik Coates to pursue those options.
The studies have delayed the start of work on the building, but Coates said the delay will be worth it in terms of a more efficient, lower-cost building.
The selectmen also authorized a partnership with the Newfound Lake Region Association to improve and maintain the water runoff project at Cummings Beach, and to have the association oversee stormwater management.
Hebron selectmen asked for a change in their memorandum of understanding with Bristol for use of the transfer station to allow a commercial hauler who picks up trash from Hebron’s elderly residents at no charge to use Bristol’s facility. While sympathetic, the Bristol selectmen declined, noting that they do not allow haulers of Bristol’s solid waste to use the transfer station.
