The Selectmen received an update Tuesday night on several issues facing the sewer system, discussing whether to adjust rates for septage disposal and how to collect fines from properties that have not connected to available sewer.

Guy Campinha, director of the Water Pollution Control Facility, reported a 50-percent drop in the volume of septage (waste from septic tanks that must be pumped and treated) being trucked to the facility for treatment between 2006 and 2010.

He attributed this decrease to two factors: the cost charged to septic haulers for using the plant, and the decision to take one of the pumping systems out of service in 2006.

Campinha reported that Wareham currently charges residents 8 cents per gallon to dispose of septage at the plant, nonresidents 18 cents per gallon, and the Town of Bourne (which shares the system with Wareham) 10 cents per gallon.

These comparatively high rates, in combination with longer wait times at the pumping station because its capacity was reduced, have resulted in many septage haulers taking their waste to New Bedford, which charges 5 cents per gallon to treat the waste.

To win back the business, Campinha suggested lowering the pump-out rates as well as putting the second pumping system back in service.

Selectman Brenda Eckstrom said she didn't know whether to be "very disgusted or excited."  She said that she had warned other Selectmen that eliminating the second pump-out station would be a problem, but she was glad that Campinha could confirm that it was partly the high septage rates which had reduced the Water Pollution Control Facility's revenue.

"I'm in total agreement with getting the second system up, but not immediately changing the rate." she said, suggesting that see if restarting the second pump-out facility would make Wareham more attractive to local septage haulers, especially considering the rising cost of gas.

Selectman Steve Holmes asked for projections about how much revenue would change if they instituted the rate change as well as got the second pump-out system online.

Campinha said he would contact local haulers in a "market survey," to determine what rates would induce them to return to treating their septage in Wareham.

Campinha also sought the Selectmen's advice on how to collect fines from properties that have not hooked up to the sewer system within the allotted time.

A town bylaw requires property owners to tie into sewer mains within a year of that sewer becoming available.  After 60 days beyond that year, the property owners can be charged a $300-per-day penalty until they tie into the sewer.

However, Campinha said that the law has never been implemented, and he wanted the Selectmen's feedback on charging those fines.  It was not immediately clear how many properties would be affected by the fines, but Campinha said he had been sending letters to those he thought were in arrears.

The Selectmen agreed that the fines should be enforced.

"If you have a law, you have to follow a law," said Selectmen Holmes.

In other business:

Merchants Way will be closed between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. this Saturday for the Village Association's Christmas on Main Street.  The events begin at 11:30 a.m. and include many local businesses opening their doors for food and fun activities.  A parade to Town Hall begins at 3:30 p.m. and the festivities conclude with a tree-lighting ceremony at Town Hall, where the town's new Christmas tree will be lighted.

Town Hall will be holding a "protein" canned food drive to benefit the Council on Aging, as well as collecting warm winter clothing and toy drive to benefit local charities.  Drop off donations at Town Hall between now and the holidays.

The Spirit of Christmas Awards will be announced at the December 21 Board of Selectmen meeting, and Selectmen Chair Jane Donahue is currently accepting nominations of individuals or groups that demonstrate the spirit of the season.  Contact Donahue at jdonahue@wareham.ma.us to submit a nomination.

A reverse auction for the school bus contract will be held on December 17 at 10 a.m. The winning bid information will be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen and the Superintendent of Schools.

Laurie Cavanaugh has been selected to join the Wareham Free Library as a reference librarian, Town Administrator Mark Andrews announced.  In addition, the town is currently seeking a part-time computer technician and is in the negotiation process for a part-time financial assistant for the Town Administrator, Andrew said.