What's up with the Sewer Commissioners?

Concerned citizen Dorothy Heath asked the question during the "citizens participation" portion of Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting.

"I know as Selectmen you have a lot of things on your plate. … I think it behooves you to get this accomplished," said Heath.

In October 2010, Town Meeting voters approved a change to the Town Charter that would create an elected board of five sewer commissioners, separate from the Board of Selectmen, to oversee the sewer system and its finances. Currently, the Board of Selectmen serves as Sewer Commissioners.

Voters argued that the dual role of Selectman and Sewer Commissioner was too much work for members of the volunteer Board of Selectmen.

The petition to change the Charter and establish the Sewer Commissioners was given to the state Senate as it was approved by Town Meeting voters, but went back and forth between Senate lawyers and town lawyers due to concerns about the language of the petition.

The language issue has been resolved, said town attorney Richard Bowen.

"With that approval from Senate counsel, I haven't heard anything from them," said Bowen.

Heath thought the time was ripe to move forward and establish the new board.

"I agree with you 100%," said Selectmen Chair Steve Holmes, adding that the Selectmen would place it on the agenda of their next meeting.