LIVERMORE FALLS — Sewer trustees have approved a joint agreement with Jay selectpersons to set a detailed cost-sharing formula in place for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The two towns share operating and maintenance costs of the Livermore Falls  plant based on sewage treated.

One of the recommendations from an arbitration session between the towns in 2013 was there should be a list of how expenses would be shared between the towns in regards to employee time and other items, Livermore Falls Town Manager Kristal Flagg said Sept. 16.

Previously the towns had gone on verbal and handshake agreements, she said.

The Jay Board of Selectpersons approved the agreement Sept. 9.

The new agreement breaks down the costs at 98 percent of the Livermore Falls Sewer Department superintendent’s payroll and benefits to be attributed to the Livermore Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant. Jay will pay the appropriate percentage of these costs as outlined in the agreement. This year Jay’s share is 52.3 percent and Livermore Falls’ share is 47.7 percent.

The agreement has 82 percent of each of the Livermore Falls two plant operators payroll and benefits to be attributed to the plant. The costs are to be shared the same way as the superintendent’s payroll and benefits.

Five percent of the Livermore Falls sewer clerk and 1.25 percent of the Livermore Falls treasurer’s payroll and benefits will also be attributed to the plant. The costs will be shared the same way.

Jay will pay a flat fee of $125 per month to Livermore Falls for Town Office administrative supplies, such as heat, electrical power, telephone, copier, computer, office supplies and related items.

The town manager, two sewer department superintendents and the Livermore Falls sewer clerk would meet once a year to determine if the five cost-sharing allocations are an accurate representation of the actual costs that are to be shared.

Both town’s officials continue to work on an overall plant agreement to replace the one established in 1997.

Flagg said the two groups are working very well together. They have even met at the Wastewater Treatment Plant because some of the members had not seen it yet, Flagg said.

Once the agreement is ready, it will be brought back to both boards for consideration.

dperry@sunjournal.com