SIC Meeting Minutes

OPENING:  A public informational special meeting of the Sewer Implementation Committee opened at 6:30 p.m.  The following members were in attendance:

 

Mr. Pinell made a motion to table the minutes from the previous regularly scheduled meeting.  Mrs. Brown seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Patria opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. by introducing the members of the Sewer Implementation Committee, and Mr. Richard Grannells, DPW Department.  Mr. Patria then asked Mr. Randy Brown, SIC member, and DPW Director to speak on the proposal inclusive of the roadway reconstruction and the proposal to install a dry sewer line on Congamond Road.  The members in attendance were asked to hold questions until the end of the presentation and to sign the attendance record.

Mr. Brown began a slide presentation explaining that the roadway reconstruction was a Mass DOT project at an estimated cost of over 6 million dollars which will include drainage, sidewalks, and a bike path.  The design is approximately 75% complete and is in accordance with State standards.  A contract could be awarded as soon as the spring of 2017 with construction to begin by fall 2017.  Radar will be installed at each end of the roadway and the crossing to the Rails to Trails will be realigned.  Easements and takings information was sent to each resident via certified mail as the roadway is being widened.  An appraiser will conduct a site visit to each property to determine the amount of damage to each property which will be calculated in a monetary value.  Some of the amounts from the Feeding Hills Road reconstruction were as little as $10.00.

Mr. Brown explained the public sewer project in Southwick beginning with Phase I.  The Town has purchased an amount of flow allowed to be sent to the Westfield treatment plant which would cover future sewer connections.  The Town also installed an interceptor line into Westfield to accommodate a large amount of flow.  Some of the reasons for installing public sewers are for business retention, to protect public drinking water, to help keep the Town Lakes clean, and to give residents an option to connect to a public sewer in the event of a septic system failure.  Areas of Congamond Road are not conducive to septic systems due to poor soils and ledge.  Septic system repairs have cost as much as $30,000.00 to $40,000.00.  Records indicate that 1 in 3 septic systems on Congamond Road have failed.  Once the DOT reconstructs Congamond Road, the roadway cannot be disturbed for a period of 5 years.  

The Warrant Article #1 addresses a dry sewer line on Congamond Road at a cost of $950,000.00 to be installed in two phases.  The first will be to extend the sewer line beyond Miller Road, the second phase will be a completion of the pipe to College Highway.  There will be approximately 80 individual dwelling connections.  The cost of the installation will be divided among the users through a betterment assessment.  An application to the MassWorks Infrastructure program was denied in 2016, but funding may be available in 2017.  The Town will also apply for a grant/loan through RDA.  At this time, the grant portion could be 20%.  Each homeowner will be responsible for extending the sewer line from the roadway to their dwelling and for demolishing their septic tank.  

Mr. Brown then introduced Jennifer Sharrow, RDA.  Ms. Sharrow stated that the Town has a great opportunity to apply and receive loan/grant funding through RDA programs.  Currently the Town has a population under 10,000.  Once the census is conducted in 2020, if the Town has over 10,000 residents, loan programs will have a higher interest cost and grants may not be offered.  Southwick qualifies for a loan at 1.875%, which is the lowest it has been in years.  If the residents pass up the opportunity to install a sewer line now, there may not be another chance, or the costs will be significantly more.  Though the loan program does not allow to pay individual fees, there are grant programs that residents over 62 and/or low income thresholds for individuals who can submit an application for which, if approved, will not require a pay back.       

Mr. Patria then opened the meeting for questions.

Ms. Maureen Shea, owner of Red Ridings Basket asked about the time frame of the project and if the Rails to Trails will remain open.  Mr. Brown stated that the project is estimated at one year, and the Tails to Trails should remain open.

William Frazer, 100 Congamond Road, stated that the public sewers were geared more toward businesses and public sewers will reduce the value of a residence because no one will want to pay the additional cost and assessment.

Giuseppe Scaderi, 141 Congamond Road, stated that he had a septic system failure and had to pay $89,000.00 for a repair, then also had to pay to connect to the public sewer system.   Mr. Scaderi also questioned if residents connected through a force main or grinder pump pay the same betterment amount.  Mr. Brown stated that they would.  

Donna Cabana, 140 Congamond Road, stated that she has been connected to the public sewer system in Phase I and had to pay $20,000.00 – 20 years ago.   Mr. Patria suggested that the property may be assessed at 2 EDU’s and will do further research to clarify the amount.

Edwin Enoch, 50 Congamond Road, questioned on how the properties will be connected.   A stub will be provided to each residential property line.  It would then be the responsibility of the homeowner to complete the connection.

Timothy Keenan, 92 Congamond Road, suggested that the betterments would be astronomical calculating a loan for 38 years, and additional costs for sewer usage billing and connection fees which may include a grinder pump requiring an electrical connection and use.  Mr. Keenan also noted that the dry sewer line must be used or the seals in the pipe will dry up and leak.  There may be a segment serviced by a forced main that could be connected prior to installing a pump station to service the upper part of Congamond Road.

Richard Goodchild, 55 Congamond Road, had an issue with mailboxes being located only on one side of the road and limited crossings.  Mr. Goodchild also had an issue with flooding on his property, and traffic issues relative to speeding.  Mr. Brown explained that the State mandates specific requirements that must be met relative to speed limits, drainage etc.

Selectman Douglas Moglin suggested that the residents petition the Post Office to determine if mail can be delivered on both sides of the road.

Clarence Crosler, 30 Congamond Road questioned a drainage issue on his property and is in the process of installing a new driveway.  Mr. Brown explained that a drainage system inclusive of culverts was designed and will be installed in accordance with the plans to help with drainage issues.

Kevin Lafrance. 18 Congamond Road, stated that he issued two letters to the State about the water/sewer line encroaching on his septic system located in his front lawn.

Kelly Clendenin, 74 Congamond Road, questioned mandated connections.  Mr. Brown stated that a property is not mandated to connect until such time as there is a Title 5 failure, however, the property owner will still be required to pay the betterment assessment.

David Deidolori, 52 Congamond Road, stated that his property was 600 feet off of the roadway and it would be very expensive to run a pipe from his dwelling to the roadway.

Michael McMahon, Economic Development, 30 Lauren Lane, reiterated financial information relative to the ability of the Town to receive funding.  Once the 2020 census is officiated if the Town has a population of over 10,000, grants will no longer be available and loans will be limited at best.  There would also be a higher interest rate for loans.  “The deal will not get any better.”

Deborah Humphrey, 66C Congamond Road, live ¼ of a mile off the road.  They have already installed two septic systems.  The second system installed at a cost of $32,000.00 and “should” never fail.  The system does have a maintenance program for the filtration system which needs to be cleaned twice a year.   Ms. Humphrey also stated that their property does not have frontage on Congamond Road, which should not be assessed.

Iwona Bednarski, 139 Congamond Road, stated that she also had to install a septic system just prior to the public sewer installation.  There were several issues associated with the installation including a retention wall construction at a cost of $13,000.00 to $14,000.00.  

   

Mr. Brown made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m.  Mr. Pinell seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Nilsson, Secretary