Public Works Department

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sewer Project

Q:  When did Phase I begin?
Q:  How long will Phase I take?
Q:  What will the project in the streets entail? Will roads be closed? Will I be able to use my driveway?
Q:  How soon after the sewer line passes my street will I be able to hook up?
Q:  What can I expect to pay for an assessment?
Q:  What can I expect to pay for the hookup from the street to my home?
Q:  Do I have to hook up? What if I've had extensive repairs to my system recently?
Q:  How will sewer usage costs be determined?
Q:  When will Phase II begin?

Q:  When did Phase I begin?

The Contract for Phase I was signed in March 2005. The General Contractor is M. Rondano, Inc. of Norwalk, CT. They began work in April 2005.

Q:  How long will Phase I take?

The Contract time is set at 365 days; this does not include the winter shutdown period when the asphalt plants are closed. If there aren't too many unforeseen problems to slow progress, there is a possibility that the work will be done considerably sooner than this. It now appears that the sewer mains will be completely installed by the end of September 2005. Testing for quality assurance will take place after this and then the sewer system will be turned over to the Town for its use.

Q:  What will the project in the streets entail? Will roads be closed? Will I be able to use my driveway?

The Contractor will be digging very deep trenches in the middle of relatively narrow streets. As with any large infrastructure project, there will certainly be inconveniences to the public as the work progresses. There is no way around this disruption and we ask for your understanding and patience. It is anticipated that roads under construction WILL be closed to through traffic during the workday. It is anticipated that driveways will be inaccessible during the workday as the construction zone is passing them. Coordination and communication is key to this process and the Contractor understands this. We intend to give you sufficient notice prior to beginning any work on your street.

Q:  How soon after the sewer line passes my street will I be able to hook up?

The time will vary from location to location. In general, once the sewer main is installed and the sewer laterals have been installed to the property line, the Contractor must pressure test the sewer between manholes. Once the pressure test is successful AND the entire sewer main downstream (to the existing sewer) is ready to accept sewage, then individual residences will be able to hook up.

Q:  What can I expect to pay for an assessment?

The Public Information Session held at the Bethel High School on January 22, 2003 included a discussion of a range of $15,000 to $20,000 that is payable over an extended period of time. The project that was approved by the voters is based on this range. The method of determining assessments has not been finalized but may be as follows:

• Assessments will be computed upon the completion of each phase.
• All costs associated with each phase will be split up among the properties served according to a formula, which has yet to be finalized by the Public Utilities Commission.
• Taking into account previous projects in town, the assessments will generally be determined based on lot size and frontage, but other factors may influence the final number.
  • For example, if you are on a corner lot with frontage on two streets, your frontage is going to be much higher than the average lot on your street. Therefore, frontage for corner lots will likely be based on the average of the two frontages.
• Once the initial assessments have gone out, other factors that the PUC may not have been aware of, such as wetlands, amount of developable land, etc. could have an effect on the size of your assessment. If you feel special circumstances should reduce your assessment, you will have to appeal your initial assessment to the PUC.
  • For example, if you have a two-acre lot but one acre of the lot is wetlands, this may reduce your initial assessment. These appeals may require individual analyses by the PUC after the initial assessments are determined.
  • It is anticipated that there will be a period of time when appeals will be accepted for review and that once the appeal period has ended, and all appeals have been addressed, a final adjustment will be made and a revised assessment will be sent out.
• Deferrals from paying the assessment are anticipated to be short term (a few years at most).
• If you defer payments on your assessment, you will still have to pay off the entire assessment by the end of the 10, 15 or 20 year payback period.
  • For example, if the PUC establishes a 15-year payback period and you defer payments for two years, you will need to pay off the assessment in the following 13 years.

Q:  What can I expect to pay for the hookup from the street to my home?

You are responsible for the sewer lateral from your house to the sewer lateral that M. Rondano will install from the street to your property line. The cost for this work will vary, sometimes greatly, depending on a number of conditions. The least costly lateral installation will generally be for a house that is 1) close to the street (short length of sewer pipe), 2) uphill from the street (shallow depth of bury) and, 3) has lawn restoration only (no driveways or sidewalks to cross). From there, the cost will go up based on the length of the sewer lateral, necessary plumbing modifications, etc. An estimate was provided to my office from a homeowner on Sky Edge Drive recently. Copies of the estimate are available for your use. The estimate includes some of the items that you will want your contractor to include. Your situation will probably vary from this example. You certainly want the contractor to look at your home's existing sewage system first and then detail the proposed work on an estimate form similar to this. Cleanouts are recommended for installation just outside the house foundation and every 100 feet to facilitate future cleaning. It is recommended that you contact two or more contractors for estimates. Read the estimates carefully, because the low estimate may not include some of the things that the higher estimates do.

Q:  Do I have to hook up? What if I've had extensive repairs to my system recently?

The short answer is: you do not have to hook up right away. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has the right (by State Statute) to require you to hook up within a certain amount of time. This has yet to be determined for this project.

If you have recently had extensive repairs or you have a septic system that you feel has no problems, you can seek a deferral. Deferrals from hooking in to the system may be up to 15 years or more, depending on the circumstances and the PUC policies. You will likely have to show that you have a code-compliant septic system before any long-term deferral is granted.

Q:  How will sewer usage costs be determined?

Usage of the sewer is based on your consumption of water. Once you or your contractor apply to make a connection to the sewer system, you will be asked if you are a customer of Bethel Consolidated Water Company. If this is the case, we will base your bill on their meter readings. If you have a well, you will have to have a water meter installed on your well water line. The town will furnish and install the meter.

Q:  When will Phase II begin?

The design for Phase II is nearing completion. The designer, URS Corporation, has submitted 90% complete drawings to the Town. The Town must acquire easements from a number of property owners in order to complete the work in Phase II. It is anticipated that the easement process will begin in the next few weeks in order to get Phase II out to bid this winter. If all goes according to plan, construction of Phase II will begin next spring.