Joint Meeting between New Shoreham Town Council, New Shoreham Sewer District and

New Shoreham Water District

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Monday, October 20, 2025

3:00 PM

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members William McCombe, and Tristan Payne.  Also present were Town Manager Amy Land, and via Zoom, Town Solicitor Nick Solitro.  Town Clerk/Director of Administration Millicent Highet was present for the recording of minutes.  Town Council member Margaret O’Neill was absent.

 

Sewer District Commission and Water District Commission members present were Brad Marthens, Peter McNerney (via Zoom), Diane Haye, Joel Brenneman and Thomas Doyle.  Sewer District Superintendent Dylan Chase and Water District Superintendent John Breunig were also present.

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.

 

1.      Discussion of any major policy changes of the Water Commission.  

a.      Update on Water Improvements Project (2023).

Water Superintendent John Breunig reported the following regarding the Water Improvement Project:

·         The new water storage tank was competed in the late spring and was up and running over the summer.

·         Two new wells have been drilled in the new well field.  The quantity is fine.  One of the two wells is being further developed for silt mitigation.

·         A preconstruction meeting is taking place regarding the well control building.

·         Underground water piping, electricity, and communications to well field are completed.  The new field should be up and running by May 2026.

·         The treatment building expansion and renovation will be going out to bid this winter.

·         Additional funding for increased construction costs have been sought through USDA grant/loan funding which the approval of will be on 2026 Financial Town Meeting.

Mr. Stover thanked Superintendent Breunig, and all those involved in the construction projects, for their extraordinary planning, executing, close work with the USDA, and work with the community. 

 

2.      Discussion of any major policy changes of the Sewer Commission. 

Sewer Superintendent Dylan Chase reported the following:

·         In August, sewer flows were higher than he has seen in the past.

·         The total July and August billings were up 3%.

·         An assessment of the Spring Street outfall is required.  The initial inspection was fair, showing some needed repairs.  The metal sheeting at the end of the outfall pipe may need replacing.  A final report is forthcoming. 

·         Block Island Recycling Management is doing a great job hauling the solids at this time.  In the future, as flows increase, planning will be necessary for solid storage.

·         The final report regarding resiliency includes raising the pumpstations and providing them with backup power.

·         Slip-lining is ongoing.  Slip-lining is a process of applying an epoxy filled liner that seals within the pipe to create better piping integrity.

 

Mr. Stover stated how extraordinary the work of Department is and how happy and proud he is to have the Superintendent and his staff on board.

 

3.      Discussion of any major policy changes of the Town Council.

There were no policy changes discussed.

 

4.      Discussion and potential action regarding changes to the FY2027 Management Agreement between the Town of New Shoreham, the Water Commission, and the Sewer Commission. 

Ms. Land explained that there were no substantive changes to the management agreement.  She noted that costs of sewer and water billing that the Town incurs are $211,000.  She stated that she expected to recommend an increase to the yearly fee for managerial and administrative services next year.

 

Ms. Dodge moved to approve the Management Agreement between the Town of New Shoreham, the Water Commission and the Sewer Commission.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Payne and carried.

                   Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, O’Neill, McCombe)                        Nays: 0

 

5.      Discussion and/or potential action regarding issues of mutual concern.

a.      Discussion regarding seeking additional revenue sources to offset water and sewer infrastructure costs that are incurred by increase in demand related to tourism.

Mr. Marthens explained that both sewer and water are critical infrastructure that the entire Town relies upon.  He suggested directing tourism dollars, such as the hotel tax, or short-term rental dollars to sewer and water to help with current and future costs.  Mr. Stover asked for details regarding the tourism impacts on sewer and water usage.  Water Superintendent John Bruenig noted that rental homes use three to four times the amount of water that a year-round family typically uses.

 

Mr. Payne moved to adjourn at 3:33 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

                        Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, O’Neill, McCombe)                        Nays: 0

 

Millicent Highet, MMC, Town Clerk

Date Approved: 11/3/2025