The meeting began with a detailed examination of the infrastructure challenges posed by proposed developments in West Chatham. Public Works Director Rob Farley presented an analysis of residential units per acre, focusing on an eight-unit per acre scenario. Farley noted that while the sewer gravity system beneath Main Street appeared to have sufficient capacity, the Barnhill Road Pump Station might struggle to accommodate additional flow without more analysis. He emphasized that while current conditions might sustain these units, future developments could push the system beyond its limits.

A point of discussion centered around the George Ryder Road Pump Station, which is important for the area west of Route 28. Farley highlighted that this station, which serves several medical buildings, was nearing the end of its design life and would require pump upgrades to handle increased flow from new residential units. The estimated cost for these upgrades ranged from $50,000 to $75,000, though a complete renovation of the stations was deemed unnecessary at this time.

The board also considered the potential impact of 40B developments, particularly those located at 137 or 134 and the Buckley properties. Farley confirmed that while the Meeting House Road Pump Station, being new, could manage increased flows, the strain on other parts of the system necessitated careful planning. Concerns were raised regarding whether the initial sewer system design had adequately accounted for the increased wastewater flow anticipated with higher residential density. Farley responded that the original capacity analysis, conducted in 2009, had considered growth and development assumptions.

The conversation shifted to the financial implications of the necessary infrastructure upgrades. Members discussed the costs associated with pump replacements, estimated to be around $500,000 for a rehab and $50,000 to $180,000 for a new pump. The town had already invested $118 million in sewer development, and further funding requests were anticipated at the upcoming annual town meeting. The feasibility of imposing development fees to support sewer upgrades was debated, although it was acknowledged that legal restrictions in Massachusetts might complicate such measures. Nonetheless, the idea of negotiating fees where development depended on sewer capacity upgrades was considered worth exploring.

The meeting further explored the assumption of 150 gallons per day of wastewater flow per dwelling, which was noted as consistent across varying numbers of bedrooms. Some participants suggested that rezoning Route 28 to R20 from General Business might reduce flow, though this had not been fully analyzed. The discussion also touched on the town’s older demographic and its potential influence on water usage patterns, acknowledging that age-restricted developments often have lower water usage figures.

Concerns about the broader impacts of new developments, beyond just the West Chatham Neighborhood Center, were raised. Members emphasized the importance of a balanced approach that considered both residential and commercial aspects in planning efforts. There was caution against concentrating too much development pressure in one area, which could strain the infrastructure and negatively impact the coastal ecosystem. However, it was suggested that new hookups to the wastewater plant could benefit the environment due to improved treatment processes.