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

Freda Brown

Brian Pranka

Russell Orne

James Vincent

Mr. Brown made a motion to accept the minutes of November 24, 2015.  Mr. Vincent seconded the motion.  The vote of the Committee was unanimous in favor.

The Board of Selectmen voted to appoint the members of the Sewer Implementation Committee as “special” at their meeting on December 15, 2015 per the suggestion of the Attorney of the Day from the State Ethics Commission.

The SIC discussed the possibility of installing a sewer line along part of College Highway, Congamond Road, and the businesses including Big Y and Gillette Coroners.  DOT (Department of Transportation) is going to restore Congamond Road.  The Town would have the ability to install a sewer pipe at the same time which would be a cost savings to the Town.  The SIC discussed the possibility of contacting the businesses in the area to determine their interest.   There would be a total of approximately 81 residential and commercial properties.  The Town may also qualify for grant funding which would reduce the cost of the individual EDU’s.  A meeting will be scheduled with the Board of Selectmen acting as Sewer Commissioners to discuss the next step in the project.

The SIC discussed the status of the sewer connection for the schools.  The proposal will be for the system to only service the school complex, thus will not be available for any of the residents who may have a septic system failure, nor allow for any future expansion in the area.  Mr. Vincent, a member of the School Committee, stated that the issue was reviewed and they are now awaiting a decision from MSPA for funding.  There are funds remaining from the school restoration project which would cover some/most of the cost of the installation and pump station.  

Mr. Randy Brown spoke with the First Selectman from Suffield who expressed interest in a possible connection to the Southwick public sewer system.  The possibility has been discussed in previous years with no actual plans being developed.  The SIC would be interested in the project specifically to sewer residents along South Pond as a continuation of keeping the lakes clean.  Suffield officials will have to work with officials from Westfield for an inter-municipal agreement.

Mr. Randy Brown spoke to Mrs. Thayer, Lakewood Village Apartments, concerning the planed connection to the complex.  As of this meeting, Mrs. Thayer has not progressed in contracting the installation for the facility.

Mr. Pranka made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:15.  Mrs. Brown seconded the motion.  The vote of the Committee members was unanimous in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Nilsson, Secretary