Dec. 14—MANCHESTER — The 8th Utilities District will bring to vote next year a proposed merger between the district and the Town of Manchester.

HEARINGS

WHAT: The Eighth Utilities District will hold a series of public hearings on a proposed merger of its services with the town of Manchester, which will go to a vote Feb. 1.

WHERE: Eighth Utilities District headquarters, 18 Main St.

WHEN: The first hearing is set for 7 p.m. Friday, with more scheduled for Jan. 9 and Jan. 25.

The 8th Utilities is a special taxing district that currently provides a fire department and sewer service to the North Main Street and Buckland areas, with most employees serving on a volunteer basis. The town's Water and Sewer Department and Manchester Fire-Rescue-EMS cover the southern two-thirds of town.

A meeting will be held Feb. 1 for residents of the 8th Utilities District to vote on whether to combine the district's fire departments and sewer services with the town.

District residents will be the sole decision-makers in the process, though town and district officials have said the merger would be mutually beneficial.

The district Board of Directors will hold three public hearings leading up to the vote, with the first scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at at the 8th Utilities District headquarters at 18 Main St.

The other two hearings will be held at the same time and location on Jan. 9 and Jan. 25.

District President Christopher Roy said the hearings will feature a presentation on the proposal, which will include information on the financial impact to residents.

A PDF version of the presentation will be shared on the 8th Utilities District website prior to the hearing Friday night, alongside a document outlining the finances of the proposal in more detail.

Roy said negotiations began as a result of declining volunteer staffing in the district fire department, which drove large budget increases to hire full-time firefighters, and talks progressed to a point where officials considered a complete merger of services.

Town Manager Steven Stephanou said the town already provides all other municipal services to the 8th District, with the exception of fire suppression and sewer maintenance, and it is more efficient for a single organization to cover all services in a town of Manchester's size.

Roy said the negotiated proposal has "a lot of big wins" for all parties, with all employees to be retained with no loss of pay or hours, as well as reduction of the tax rate.

Stephanou said the volunteer firefighting component of the 8th Utilities District would be maintained following a merger, which would help the town retain and recruit candidates.

Roy said a merger would save district residents on taxes. If residents vote against the merger, the district's 2023 budget would be at least $9.2 million.

"We have a very high proposed budget right now ... I'd expect that number to go up," he said.

Stephanou said the merger would expand the town's grand list to include the 8th Utilities District, providing savings for residents outside of the district as well.

Roy said without a merger, 8th Utilities District residents would see a proposed minimum mill rate of 38.85 for full-rate residents and 35.14 for half-rate residents. With a merger, the town-wide mill rate would be set at 35.29, a reduction from the current rate of 36.12.

Stephanou said a singular tax rate would also simplify paying taxes for district residents.

Town is committed to ensuring that events that foster community spirit, including the district's annual Peach Festival, would continue after a merger, Stephanou said.

Roy said if the merger is approved, he would expect six months to a year before full integration of the district departments into the town, but operational changes would begin immediately.

Stephanou said if approved, the town Board of Directors would include the merger as part of the fiscal year 2024 budget, beginning July 1, 2023.

Roy strongly urged district residents to attend the public hearings.

"I know coming to meetings is difficult for some, but we are bound by the charter to do things this way," Roy said.

Mayor Jay Moran said he is in favor of the proposed merger.

"This plan enhances public safety in Manchester, preserves jobs and the volunteer firefighter model, all while increasing efficiency and effectiveness of town services," Moran said.

Joseph covers Manchester and Bolton for the Journal Inquirer.