The Valley Breeze

No. Smithfield residents must wait for sewer refunds

NORTH SMITHFIELD - Residents will have to wait for the Town Council to make changes to the town's charter before they are able to receive refunds for fees associated with phase 1A and 1B of the sewer project, according to a news release from Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton's office.

Council members, under recommendation from the Sewer Commission, have agreed to refund fees residents paid to tie into the sewer system. However, in order for this to go into effect, the council must now amend the sewer ordinance with its list of fees, according to Hamilton.

"The process to accomplish this is to put the change on the Town Council agenda, followed by a first and then second reading at two different meetings," said Hamilton. "Then a final adoption of the changes needed to get refunds issued will take place."

Hamilton said she wants residents who may have heard that a $250 fee and other fees associated with the tie-ins cannot be refunded immediately. She said that in the meantime, her office is keeping a list of those who have requested the refunds and will notify them when the council process is complete.

"I have advised the council as to the overall reduction in associated fees and how it will impact the sewer and general fund so they will have a full picture of the impact returning fees will have on the overall budget as well as sewer users," said Hamilton. "After reviewing all this information and weighing the fiscal impact not only on the town but on current sewer users, the council must then make the choice to move ahead or determine that it cannot be done."

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