Shallotte board OKs new sewer fee policy

SHALLOTTE—The town board has approved a new sewer transmission fee policy it says will aid both developers and the town.

In the newly amended sewer policy, adopted at last Wednesday’s pre-agenda meeting, only 75 percent of a developer’s transmission fees will be available for reimbursement to the developer.

The town will have 25 percent of all fees for transmission-related expenses, according to town administrator Paul Sabiston.

Examples include a portion of the county’s charge for installation of the 24-inch sewer line on U.S. 17 and a portion of the cost for the new million-gallon pump station at the old Shallotte Treatment Plant.

The second proposed change is allowing the developer up to 100 percent of reimbursement for installing water/sewer lines that are over-sized when built and may serve as regional lines.

To be eligible for reimbursement, minimum line sizes would be 6 inches for water, 4 inches for pressure sewer and 8 inches for gravity sewer.

Jim Wiseman of Wakefield Coastal, the developer of the San Rio project, asked the board to consider changing the proposed six-year deadline for paying for the sewer lines to 10 years, to follow Brunswick County’s ordinance.

“It’s a more reasonable time frame for large projects,” Wiseman said.

Alderman Walt Eccard said he would be more comfortable with an eight-year time frame.

“We’ve made substantial changes in our policy to assist the development community,” he said. “Adding on to that a 10-year time frame is going above and beyond what the town should be doing.

“I have no assurance that there will be growth in the next three years. ee In my view, eight years is appropriate.”

“I don’t have any problem with going to eight years and splitting the difference,” said alderman John Kinlaw, who said he understood the need for an extension.

“There’s a lot of merit to Mr. Wiseman’s proposal,” he said.

Alderman Buddy Kelly agreed, and the board voted unanimously to adopt the policy with the eight-year timeline.