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MINUTES
SEWER IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
June 24, 2008
OPENING: The special meeting of the Sewer Implementation Committee opened at 7:00 p.m. The following members were in attendance:
Nicholas Daniele, Chairman
J. Pat Ayotte, Vice Chairman
Jerry Patria
Freda Brown
Brian Pranka
Mr. Ron Michalski, Tighe & Bond, and Mr. Jeff Neece, DPW, were also in attendance.
MINUTES
1. Mr. Pranka made a motion to accept the minutes of 06/09/08. Ms. Brown seconded the motion and the vote of the Committee was unanimous in favor.
ATTENDANCE
1. Mr. Ron Levesque, Mr. Brian Houlihan, and Mr. Larry Bannish attended the meeting for two issues, 1) the proposed elderly housing complex on Depot Street, and septic issues with the American Inn. Mr. Levesque stated that he was satisfied with the EDU evaluation of .75 per unit as recommended by the SIC members to the Board of Selectmen. The main issue for Mr. Levesque is the septic system failure at the American Inn. Mr. Levesque explained that the complex was built in three separate phases. The total complex has a septic output of more than 10,000 gallons per day, which requires a DEP ground water discharge permit. The American Inn is presently non-compliant in sewage disposal and the DEP is insisting on a permanent solution to the problem. Mr. Levesque has
contracted for a temporary repair to the system as an interim measure. There are other retirement communities in the area, one of which also has a failed septic system. Mr. Levesque requested information on a connection to the public sewer system. At present, there are no plans to continue to the main sewer line down College Highway. Mr. Levesque has already discussed his situation with other Town officials, and is exploring the option of connecting the American Inn through the rear property or northward down College Highway into a main line belonging to Westfield. The facility of 194 cottages and 57 units would require approximately 20,000 gallons per day. The SIC members agreed that the situation needed to be resolved, and that at present, the Town does have the extra capacity. However, if a main pipe is installed to north to the Westfield line, all properties abutting the line will be eligible to connect. There are two large elderly
complexes in the area, the proposed complex on Depot Street needs to be considered, as well as B & E Tool on Hudson Drive. In the event all of the properties are connected, their flow may exceed the allowable daily flow of 500,000 gallons per day. Mr. Levesque will need to contact the City of Westfield to determine if he can connect to their main sewer line. The Town of Southwick will need to determine the financial feasibility of reserving 20,000 gallons per day for the American Inn.
2. Mr. David Grimaldi, Mr. Bob Grimaldi, Mr. Scott Desmond and Ms. Eve Cramption attended the meeting to listen to the discussion concerning the American Inn, and obtain information concerning a large tract of vacant land near the American Inn. The SIC members could not give advice on what type of development could be built on the property. At present, the main focus of the remaining capacity and any future capacity is on existing sewer problems.
DISCUSSION
1. The Committee members discussed dates to hold public meetings on the proposed phase II sewer system. The focus of the meeting will concentrate on expansion of the existing system in areas of Town that are in need of public sewers. The meetings will be advertised on the public access channel, and a post card will be sent to the residents similar to the ones issued during Town elections.
As there was no further business to discuss, Mr. Ayotte made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Mr. Pranka seconded the motion and the vote of the Committee was unanimous in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Nilsson, Secretary
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