Meredith Selectboard supports local control of Winn River Basin wastewater program

MEREDITH — A transition from the state-run Winnipesaukee River Basin Program to a regional wastewater authority — owned and managed by member communities — is supported by the Meredith Selectboard.

The selectboard voted 5-0, on Monday, to support the transition for the program, which is currently run by New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

The Winnipesaukee River Basin Program serves the towns of Belmont, Center Harbor, Gilford, Meredith, Moultonborough, Northfield, Sanbornton and Tilton, and the cities of Laconia and Franklin. In July, Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed SB 592 into law, which created a commission to study transition of ownership of the WRBP to an “alternative authority.”

Water Superintendent Phil Sausville spoke of the importance of understanding the benefits, challenges and long-term implications of a transition. He was joined by Wes Anderson, the chair of the WRBP Advisory Board and project manager for the City of Laconia, who offered knowledge of the program’s history and future challenges.

“As chair, Wes continues to provide thoughtful leadership, strategic guidance, as the WRBP evaluates opportunities to strengthen regional wastewater services for the future,” Sausville said.

Anderson said the effort started in 2018, but they were getting pushback from NH DES, and didn’t have the support needed to make a transition. However, over the last year, NH DES staff has had issues managing the program, resulting in about $1 million in “wasteful spending.”

“In meetings with the commissioner and his staff, basically, it was determined that with the current situation between the state’s rules for hiring and what’s available out there, they’re in a position where they really can’t fix the problem,” Anderson said.

NH DES staff now support the conversion from a state-run program entirely funded by its communities, to a regional municipal wastewater authority, also funded by communities involved.

Selectboard member Jeanie Forrester thought it was interesting NH DES staff now support this transition, and Anderson said when they sent a letter of concern last year, it got the attention of NH DES senior leadership.

“They looked into what was going on, and determined that they couldn’t fix it,” Anderson said.

Forrester asked if this was concerning, but Anderson said it allows for more flexibility, and they have an interim management improvement plan to ensure there isn’t wasteful spending.

In November, the department assisted in creating an amendment to legislation that provided for a study commission to identify any potential issues in a transition process.

“Most of the ones we’ve looked at so far deal with the personnel, the bonding that the state has already executed, how do we transfer that, and the actual transition phase itself,” Anderson told the board.

Anderson anticipates within the next month, the study commission will be formed. The commission needs to have its work wrapped up by the end of October, to provide it to the Legislature by Nov. 1.

“So, it is fast,” Anderson said. Forrester agreed.

In addition to stopping wasteful spending, a 2015 study showed there could be a 5% to 15% annual saving by moving away from a state-run system. Anderson also said it would reduce risks of penalties through the Environmental Protection Agency.

To help with the transition, Anderson noted the state included an “unclassified” executive director position in the legislation.

“Basically, that put it closer to the salary range of someone we need to actually be able to run the program, and transition from being state-run to municipal, separate wastewater authority,” Anderson said.

Forrester asked why they wouldn’t have the same issue, and Anderson said they know they will need to look at the salary structure and benefits. He recognized when employees are trained, they could look to other higher-paying opportunities.

“We know we are in competition with other municipalities who run wastewater treatment systems to be able to retain people and hire people,” Anderson said. “The problem with the state system is that they don’t have that flexibility to change grades and pay structures to do that.”

Employees are currently at two locations: the Franklin Wastewater Treatment Plant and the pump station on Water Street in Laconia.

Selectboard member Jim Gregoire asked Finance Director Robert Carpenter — who was the acting town manager in the meeting as Judie Milner had a scheduled day off — how large the budget is. Carpenter said between $800,000 and $900,000.

“It is the majority of the sewer budget every year by far,” Carpenter said.

Anderson said in Laconia, 60% of what the city collects goes toward paying for the WRBP program.

Chair Steve Aiken asked who owns each town’s system, and Anderson said it is complicated, and there are two pieces. Meredith has the collection system, which feeds to a regional collection system that feeds into the wastewater treatment plant in Franklin.

Anderson said there are disagreements on “who owns what.” There are cases where they are dealing with “paper streets,” which are streets on record that were actually never created, and some lines go to them.

“We need to see the documentation that they actually used eminent domain, or some form to take over, and have established right of way, or easement, for those systems,” Anderson said.

Aiken wondered if this could create concerns, and Anderson said it will need to be addressed to ensure they have the legality to maintain the system. He said they will need to get proper documentation from property owners.

Anderson said they are asking for all municipalities involved to go to their governing bodies to ask for support of the program going forward. The towns of Gilford and Belmont are in support, and the Laconia City Council is expected to vote Aug. 24.

“We’re getting through the process of getting all the communities in support of it,” Anderson said. “That way, when we go to the commission, we can say all the communities support it, and if everything goes right, communities working with their state reps and state senators so they’re on board, so it will speed up the process of the actual conversion.”

Forrester said she knows of “at least one community” which may not be on board, and Anderson agreed. He said they are still shooting for total support, but regardless, the plan is to move forward with the transition.

The process is expected to take about two years. The final piece of legislation will ultimately need to be signed off by the governor to make the transition official.