Sewer Commission Meeting — September 17, 2026

The Swansea Board of Sewer Commissioners met on September 17, 2026, to receive updates on ongoing sewer construction projects, commercial corridor development, betterment fee calculations, and project financing. Officials reported that the Gardiner's Neck Road intersection work with MassDOT is expected to wrap up by September 30th, and paving had just occurred. On Route 6, contractor C. Naughton completed main sewer line segments up to Route 118 heading toward Somerset, though crews recently encountered unexpected ledge rock near the Salvation Army building and experienced roadway undermining issues that required wider trenches.

The board held an extensive discussion regarding revised sewer betterments. After re-evaluating property records and Title V data from the Board of Health, total equivalent bedroom units (EBUs) increased from roughly 1,770 to 2,500, which decreased the estimated betterment cost for residential properties from over $9,000 per EBU down to $6,469 per EBU (reducing typical 3-bedroom home estimates from roughly $27,000 down to around $18,000). Commercial accounts, including the Swansea Mall and Walmart system, saw adjustments upward based on state DEP permits. Final betterment figures are targeted for delivery to the assessors and treasurer by October of the following year.

In other business, the commission reviewed initial contractor pay requests totaling $333,000 and $383,000 to be processed and submitted to the State Revolving Fund (SRF) for monthly reimbursement. Members also coordinated upcoming site visit availability to tour Somerset's sewer facility with superintendent Christopher Wickman and discussed pothole and patch complaints along Route 6, noting that the town is moving to a new CivicPlus website that will feature a dedicated sewer department page.

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