SIC Meeting Minutes

OPENING:  The regular scheduled meeting of the Sewer Implementation Committee opened at 6:00 p.m.  The following members were in attendance:

Mr. Brown made a motion to accept the minutes of December 20, 2016.  Mr. Pranka seconded the motion.  None opposed, the motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Brown presented three options for the installation of a sewer line along Congamond Road.

Option #1 would be for a combination of gravity and force main connections.  Each resident would be responsible for on lot costs, but will not be mandated to connect unless of a septic system failure criteria specified in accordance with Title 5.  Mr. Pranka stated that even in the event of a Title 5 failure, local Boards of Health can grant a waiver to property owners under certain circumstances.  Each of the options would include an estimate of grant/loan funding from USDA.  However there is also the potential for grants from MassWorks.  Each of the options also includes a connection fee vs. a betterment fee.  A connection fee will only be charged if or when the property owner chooses to, or is mandated to connect.

Option #2 would be to install a gravity seer line and pump station at Gillette Corner.  Each property owner will be required to abandon their septic tank, contract for their connection, and if necessary have a grinder pump installed which the homeowner will be responsible to maintain.

Option #3 would be a force main with a pump station at Gillette Corner.  This option would also have the homeowners responsible for all on lot costs.  However, the Town would ask each resident to provide a fee for a stub estimated to be about $1,000.00.  In the event the sewer line is installed and a homeowner does not have a stub, they would not be able to access the sewer line for a period of 5 years, as all road reconstruction cannot be disturbed for 5 years.  As in the other two options, the homeowners are not mandated to connect to the sewer line, but will pay a fee when the connection is made.

Mr. Pinell stated that the Finance Committee was interested in the funding for the existing sewer line.  At this time, the current users pay for the maintenance and operating costs.  Increases in the sewer rate to cover some of the costs, but there will be a time when the Town will need to support the sewer system when the current users alone will not support all the needs of the public sewer.  Costs not only include operations and maintenance, but a yearly payment to the City of Westfield, and the interceptor line.  Mr. Pinell and Mr. Brown will work on a cost projection to estimate future funding requirements.

Mr. William Frazer, 100 Congamond Road and Ms. Deborah Humphrey, 66C Congamond Road attended the meeting to get information on the proposed project.  Both Mr. Frazer and Ms. Humphrey did agree that paying for a stub would benefit the home owner in the event their septic system fails, or as an incentive for the sale of a dwelling.  Ms. Humphrey did install a very expensive septic system which “should” not fail, but having the stub available would be insurance to a sewer connection in the event of a failure.

The SIC will review all the presented information and make a recommendation to the Select Board at their next meeting.

Mr. Brown presented information concerning a community block grant for the reconstruction of Veteran Street.  The grant will be for widening the road, improving drainage, and a water line.  Mr. Brown crested a cost scenario for inclusion of a sewer line in the neighborhood including Veteran Street, Summer Drive, North Lake Avenue, Bungalow Street and Lakemont Street.  There are parcels of Town owned land that could be used for the infrastructure of as a right of way for a sewer pipe.  There would be a possibility of connecting 130 homes.  However, the SIC will need to determine if the project would mandate a betterment or only be charged an assessment fee in the event they choose to connect.  Mr. Pranka stated that the soils in the area are very conducive to septic system as it is mostly sandy soil.  The sand helps as a filtration to reduce or eliminate pollution of the lake.  Mr. Brown stated that it could be an option just to install a low pressure sewer line on Veteran Street then revisit the possibility of connecting to other streets at t later date.  The road reconstruction is scheduled to begin this year.  Mr. Brown will do a survey of the homeowners to determine if there is any interest in a public sewer system in the area.

The SIC members noted that there has not been a definitive answer from a letter of recommendation for Lakewood Village Apartments issued to the Select Board on September 15, 2016.  A follow up letter will be issued.  Ms. Mary Thayer has not as of this meeting committed to constructing a sewer line along Point Grove Road.

Mr. Brown and officials from Westfield were contacted by representatives of the American Inn concerning a connection to the sewer line.  The amount of capacity to the Westfield treatment plant will need to be determined to ensure enough available capacity.  

  

Mr. Brown made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.  Mr. Pranka seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Nilsson, Secretary