To the Editor,

 I’ve lived on the water in Conimicut for 27 years.  I love Narragansett Bay and very much want to see it continue to become cleaner and cleaner, and we all know that septic systems pose a great risk to the Bay’s cleanliness.  Thus, it is essential that the Bayside sewer project that covers Bayside, Longmeadow, Highland Beach and Riverview, finally be completed. 

     The citizens of Warwick cannot, however, abide pushing homeowners in the covered areas out of their homes because the sewer project’s cost has risen so much over the years.  When sewers were installed in Conimicut approximately 15 years ago, assessments averaged only $3-5,000.  Now homeowners in the Bayside project area will be assessed $24,000 to $27,000, according to the Warwick Sewer Authority.  Additionally, each homeowner will have to pay connection costs of $3,000 to $5,000.  For many residents—especially those retired on fixed incomes—that amount is way out of the question, even when the assessment cost is spread over 30 years.  With a reasonable 5% interest rate, the annual payment could be around $1,700, close to $150 per month for those on fixed incomes.  

     So, what’s the answer?  How can Warwick do its part to protect the cleanliness of Narragansett Bay while still allowing all of its citizens to keep their homes?  There’s not an easy solution, for sure!  

     Here’s one option that might work.

     1.  The Warwick Sewer Authority (WSA) would continue to use revenue bonds paid for by new sewer assessments rather than general obligation bonds that are paid by the taxpayers.  Certainly, it would be unfair for taxpayers who have already paid sewer assessments to have to pay additional taxes to finance someone else’s new sewers?

     2.  Property owners in the project area who are financially capable would pay their assessments upon demand after the project is completed. 

     3.  Monies collected immediately, along with monies collected monthly from those who choose the 30-year installment plan, would likely be sufficient to satisfy the revenue bond’s annual repayment requirement for several years, perhaps for most of the duration of the bond.   

     4.  Property owners with limited means would be exempt from immediate payment and from monthly installment payments.  They would, however, have to make payment in full upon the sale of their homes or contract with the buyer to assume the obligation.

     5.  The homes of property owners who delayed payment will increase in value because of their sewer connections.  Those increased values should offset the devaluation of their properties caused by the pending sewer assessment payment. 

     6.  Buyers of homes with sewer assessments still outstanding would be able to spread the cost over the remaining years within the 30 year repayment period the WSA has agreed to.  If a current home owner sold her home fifteen years from now, the new owner would have the option of spreading the assessment over the next fifteen years. 

     7.  Should a time come when the monies received from those home owners who make immediate payment and those making installment payments no longer cover the annual bond payment, then the City would kick in the difference from the City’s $30 million rainy day fund in a loan to the WSA.  That loan would be repaid as affected homes sell and the delayed assessments are paid, thus renewing the rainy day fund without raising taxes.  

     With 700 or so homes in the sewer project area having septic tanks, there is no doubt Narragansett Bay is being adversely affected.  The health of the Bay cannot afford to wait much longer for sewers to be installed.  At the same time, fixed income homeowners who have worked a lifetime to earn retirement should not be left with a no-win Sophie’s choice—sell their homes or remain in their homes but suffer the loss of many essentials in order to pay the sewer assessment.

     I’m neither a sewer expert, an accountant, nor a tax/bond expert.  Both the City of Warwick and the WSA have access to such experts, however.  If this suggested plan has not been considered, then the experts should take a look at it. 

Lonnie Barham

Conimicut