SIC Meeting Minutes

OPENING:  The regular scheduled meeting of the Sewer Implementation Committee opened at 7:00 p.m.  The following members were in attendance:

Jerry Patria, Chairman

Randy Brown, Vice Chairman

Brian Pranka

James Vincent

Art Pinell

Freda Brown

Also in attendance:

Joe Deedy, Board of Selectmen

Marcus Phelps, Conservation Commission

Timothy Keenan – 92 Congamond Road

Mr. Brown made a motion to accept the minutes of March 22, 2016.  Mr. Vincent seconded the motion.  The vote of the Committee was unanimous in favor.

Ms. Mary Thayer & Mr. Douglas Thayer – Lakewood Village

Ms. & Mr. Thayer attended the meeting to discuss the proposed public sewer connection to the apartment complex.  Ms. Thayer received a quote for the lateral connections in the amount of $116,000.00, which is much higher than the original estimate of $40,000.00.  Due to the increase in the financial burden, Ms. Thayer questioned if the SIC would consider eliminating the stubs to the residential dwellings.  Ms. Brown suggested that the Town could compensate part of the betterment assessment to Lakewood Village for the residents who actually connect to the public sewer system.  The SIC could send out an informational letter to the 14 residential dwelling owners to gage their interest in connecting.  Ms. Thayer stated that she is in the process of receiving three other quotes for the lateral connections and will let the SIC know their status.

Ms. Thayer also questioned if Suffield was still interested in connecting a public sewer line through Southwick to the Westfield treatment plant.  Mr. Patria explained the history of Suffield’s involvement, but there has been no specific interest recently.  Suffield will need to contract an Inter-municipal agreement with Westfield relative to capacity.

Ms. Thayer submitted documentation relative to Title 5 requirements for sewage disposal and the EDU table and questioned if water usage could be a factor in the betterment assessments.  Title 5 calculates the size of septic systems based on bedrooms, and the EDU table which bases its assessment as 1 per single family dwelling as they contain at least one bedroom.   In essence, if the complex was assessed in accordance with the EDU table, each unit should be assessed as one EDU.   Ms. Thayer was disappointed with not being able to have the betterment assessment calculated in accordance with the water usage for the complex.  The current septic systems are functioning and it will be a great expense to connect the apartment complex to the public sewer system but would be a benefit in the future in the event of septic system failure, a benefit to the Town, and the 14 residents along Point Grove Road.  The SIC did agree to continue the assessment at Phase I pricing for the complex at this time.  However, technically Phase II did begin with the construction of the interceptor line.  The calculations for the EDU table for Phase II have not be finalized as of this meeting, but may be more costly to the complex once revised and approved.

Ms. Thayer will inform the SIC on preceding with the project once the estimates are received.

132 Berkshire Avenue  Mr. Brown stated that the owner had contacted him concerning replacing the grinder pump.  The Town did connect the dwelling to the public sewer system with a gravity line.  The new property owner stated that there was a grinder pump installed by the previous owner to address the flow from the basement section of the dwelling.  The members of the SIC agreed that it was not the responsibility of the Town to replace a grinder pump that was installed by a homeowner, and not in accordance with approved public sewer construction design.

648 College Highway  Mr. Brown received a call from a contractor concerning connecting the  complex to the public sewer system.  The sewer pipe only extends to the end of the property line of Captain Fowler Apartments.  The complex owner will need to obtain all easements and be responsible for constructing the infrastructure.  Southwick Florist would not be mandated to connect to the public sewer system in accordance with the revised Title 5 regulations.  There has been no official request as of this meeting.  The SIC will table the issue until more information is presented.

Mr. Patria and Mr. Pinell related information from the informational meeting held for business owners concerning the Congamond Road proposed sewer connection.  Each of the representatives of the businesses including Big Y, Ocean State Job Lot, Pride and Southwick Crossing expressed interest in proceeding with the project.  No specific dollar amounts were discussed.  At the meeting, Mr. Fox, Selectman, emphasized with partnerships between business owners and the Town to work for a common goal.  Mr. Pinell stated that the Finance Committee will recommend that the Warrant Article for the project be tabled at the Annual Town Meeting.   The article is for funding a dry sewer line.  However, there are no specifics relative to the actual completion of a sewer line.  The SIC will need to establish if the business owners will be willing to assist financially to get the betterment assessment reduced for the residential properties.  Mr. Keenan stated that an assessment of $25,000.00 will result in a cost of $56,000.00 throughout the term of the payback which would not include operation and maintenance costs.  Mr. Pranka stated that Congamond Road has difficult soils for septic system replacement and would benefit from a public sewer line.  Mr. Brown will compose data with an estimate of what the actual betterment assessments would be to the homeowners if the businesses are willing to contribute more than their fair share.  

Mr. Deedy stated that in his opinion public sewer projects within the Town are done.  No one wants them because of the cost.

Mr. Vincent made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m.  Mr. Pranka seconded the motion.  The vote of the Committee was unanimous in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Nilsson, Secretary