MINUTES
SEWER IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
April 13, 2010
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
Brian Pranka
Jeff Neece, DPW Director, was also in attendance.
MINUTES
Mr. Patria made a motion to accept the minutes of 3/13/10. Mr. Pranka seconded the motion and the vote of the Committee was unanimous in favor.
DISCUSSION
Mr. Neece attended the meeting to discuss current issues relative to the progress of the interceptor and next phase of the public sewer system. Mr. Neece explained that there were some points not covered on the application. The USDA is taking it’s time scrutinizing the application for specifics due to the size of the project. The environmental report has been submitted and is expected to be accepted. Once that portion of the application is approved, it could be a matter of a few weeks before the funding is approved. The finding could consist of 45% grants and 55% low interest loans. Once the application and funding is finalized, the SIC and Sewer Commissioners will need to accept the finding then go to Town Meeting for a vote from the public. If the grant percentage is high, the individual
cost per EDU (Equivalency Dwelling Unit) may be less than predicted. Mr. Neece stated that there is no other funding source for the project available to the Town at this time. Mr. Ayotte suggested that options to help individual homeowners, such as a tax rebate, should be researched.
The application’s preliminary design gives an approximation of the second phase, but does not specifically delineate areas to be sewered. The interceptor, which has already been designed, would be constructed first. Mr. Neece will meet with officials from Westfield to discuss an implement in easement progress.
The SIC discussed the IMA (Inter Municipal Agreement) with Westfield. It contains a 10% surcharge that Southwick pays to Westfield for use of their pipe. Once Southwick builds its own interceptor pipe, the surcharge should be eliminated, and Southwick will have a capacity of 500,000 gallons per day.
Mr. Neece discussed the current sewer rate and its inability to support the sewer system. The sewer department has about a $70,000.00 short fall in its budget. The sewer relief fund is not longer available, which decreased the budget by $38,000.00 per year. The other costs were attributed to salary and operation increased costs.
Mr. Ayotte is hopeful that the Board of Health will endorse the project at the Town Meeting.
Mr. Ayotte made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 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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