Groton FinCom delays vote on Four Corners sewer plan

GROTON -- Still feeling that not enough information was at hand, the Finance Committee chose to defer voting on a recommendation dealing with a proposed sewer system for the Four Corners neighborhood until just before Town Meeting later this month.

The decision not to take a position on the issue came Monday. Committee members were to take final votes on several warrant articles including those for the sewer system.

At issue was a proposal from Town Manager Mark Haddad to install a sewer system at the Four Corners that would connect with Ayer for wastewater services.

The objective is to encourage commercial activity in the area, which has been stagnating for years due to its current reliance on septic rather than sewer services.

Except for a few small businesses across the street, the Shaw's supermarket is the only major business up and running at the busy intersection. Adjacent storefronts stand empty, and a number of undeveloped spots on the same property that have yet to be built upon.

On the same side of Route 119, but across Sandy Pond Road, is another empty lot owned by Joseph Wong. The former Groton Jade Chinese restaurant was there before it was demolished to make way for improvements to the intersection.

Haddad, following through on goals set by selectmen to encourage more commercial development in town, proposed installation of a sewer system in the area thus making the two properties more attractive to such businesses as restaurants, medical offices, and gymnastics studios.

To pay for the proposed sewer system, Haddad said there was a possibility the town might qualify for a state grant that would pay for a substantial portion of the estimated $2 million to $5 million construction cost.

All that would be needed was for the town to appropriate $285,000 to pay for design plans. With those in hand, the project would be "shovel ready" and thus more likely to be looked upon with favor by the state.

If the project went forward, payment in the form of betterment fees for both the design plans and construction would be placed on those property owners who stood to benefit from the new sewer line.

Excerpt from:
Groton FinCom delays vote on Four Corners sewer plan