In an effort to garner public participation and answer questions from residents, the Board of Selectmen held a public information session Thursday to discuss the North Easton Village Sewer Plan.

By Nov. 1, the selectmen will make a decision that will determine who will benefit from the new sewage system. However, the decision will ultimately leave many out - at least for now.

Those who benefit would also have to pay for the system, which was estimated to cost $1,000 - $1,300 annually for 20 years.

"This will be a very, very difficult decision," said Selectmen Chairman Colleen Corona.

According to Senior Vice President of Woodward and Curran, Joseph Shea, who is in charge of the project and presented at the meeting, the selectmen will have to decide between three alternatives – two of which were outlined at the meeting.

"They're going to vote on alternative one, two, or some other alternative that is devised over the course of these meetings," said Shea.

Of the two alternatives outlined at Thursday's public information session, alternative one includes both sides of Main Street and focuses on all of the businesses. Alternative two includes only properties on the north side of Main Street, allowing pipes to flow behind buildings. While alternative two is less expensive and results in fewer traffic problems, many businesses are excluded.

Shea's presentation first focused on areas of town in need of wastewater improvement. Areas included much of South Easton and the Five Corners. However, according to Shea, North Easton Village was the most problematic.

And, with the development of affordable housing units at Ames Shovel Works on Oliver St., the town plans to develop a wastewater treatment plant capable of treating 50,000 gallons – 28,000 of which will be used to service North Easton Village.

Corona pointed to a strong need for a new sewage system in the village because of potential health and environmental risks. During Thursday's meeting, she referenced contamination in much of Cape Cod's drinking water as a result of faulty sewage systems.

While many residents anticipated a decision as to who will be benefitting from the new sewage system, others wondered what would happen to those who are left out.

"I can assure you that it's not like we're going to do this 50,000 gallons, and then that's the end of that," said Corona. "We are actively pursuing other solutions."

Other solutions, according to Shea, include using additional town property to develop more sewage treatment adding onto the 50,000 gallons per day produced by the shovelworks site, or using private property.

The board noted that they have identified and been in contact with North Easton residents about using private property, but they would not comment on who.

Corona also noted the possibility of using regional solutions that could involve towns like Brockton or Mansfield.

Shea will conduct another presentation at the Board of Selectmen's Meeting on Oct. 18, followed by another Public Information Session on Oct. 26 – five days before the selectmen will have to make their final decision.