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WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL
ACTING AS SEWER COMMISSION
DATE: TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2020 TIME: 7:00 P.M.
A. Meeting called to order at 8:51 p.m. by Town Council President Gosselin 
B. Prayer led by Town Council Vice President D’Amico (Removed by Town Council President)
C. Pledge of allegiance led by Councilman Messier (Removed by Town Council President)
D. Roll Call
Members present:
Council President Gosselin
Council Vice President D’Amico
Councilman Messier
Councilman Licciardi
Councilwoman Williamson
Participating communities:
Town of Coventry
Town of Scituate
City of Cranston
City of Warwick
Town of West Greenwich
E. Commission Clerk determined a quorum on record.
F. Minutes of previous meeting
SC2020-13:
RESOLVED, that the minutes of the May 26, 2020 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission, is hereby accepted.
Resolution moved by Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.
All in favor none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.
G. Reports
G-1: Plant Manager – May 2020
· Average daily flow was 6.9 mgd with a maximum daily flow of 11.9 mgd.
· CBOD removal was 98%. DEM requirement is 85%.
· TSS removal was 96%. DEM requirement is 85%.
· Total Nitrogen 5.11 mg/l. DEM requirement is 7.6 mg/l.
· Phosphorus removal was 0.08 mg/l. DEM requirement is 1.0 mg/l.
· Sludge removal was 540 wet tons which is 127 dry tons.
· There were 3 private line blockups:
1. Tiogue Avenue on May 5th.
2. Fiume Street on May 8th.
3. Newell Street on May 20th.
· There was 1 public line blockup:
1. On May 1st a homeowner on Vincenzo Drive reported a backup in their basement. We found the manhole overflowing. There were two blockages in the line which were both cleared. An insurance claim was filed and a cleaning company was sent to clean the backup in their basement.
· We’ve conducted no trainings due to Covid-19 however we are working with The Trust to set up individual trainings in the near future.
· There was one odor complaint from a house on Providence Street
· There were no facility violations.
· Assistant Superintendent Bedard has completed and past his Grade 4 exam with DEM.
G-2: Industrial Pretreatment Program – May 2020
Significant Industrial Users
· Rhodes Technologies submitted their self-monitoring report and all was in compliance.
Private WWTF
· Showcase Cinemas cleaned their private line.
· Starbucks was allowed to tie into the system and open even though final inspections were not completed. There were some problems found in the collection system that need to be corrected. The Program is working with the contractor to complete that work.
· The O&M manual for the Wasserman line at 1600 Division Street was reviewed and found to be unacceptable. A letter was issued asking them to revise the plans accordingly.
· Councilwoman Williamson asked why it’s called the Wasserman line. Mr. Geremia responded because Wasserman was the developer who bought the MetLife complex.
· The force main for East Greenwich Square and 1149 Restaurant were cleaned however the line for 1149 was not cleaned as the restaurant as gone out of business. When someone does occupy that space, the line will have to be cleaned.
· Bald Hill Realty submitted a draft O&M manual. The plans were complete except for the as-built drawing. The engineer is finishing the as-built.
Food Service
· Li’l Rhody Ice Cream in Coventry was put on a compliance schedule to correct their sewer lateral. They will do the work during their off season in the Fall.
· Filippou’s Twisted Pizza in West Warwick submitted cleaning logs for their grease recovery system and all was in compliance.
· Fired Up Nutrition located at 19 Washington, West Warwick submitted applications and they are currently under review.
Other
· Construction has been suspended at Midtown Square on Sandy Bottom Road in Coventry and Coventry Plaza off of Tiogue Avenue in Coventry.
· Bald Hill Kia was inspected and found to be in compliance pending their O&M manual.
· Rising Tide Tattoo, LLC in West Warwick was inspected and found to be in compliance.
· The developer at 87 Centre of New England Blvd. contacted us regarding their building which was built in 2005. This site was originally approved for one commercial unit however the original builder installed a ten commercial unit building without any approvals. The Program has been working with the new developer trying to come up with a procedure to connect one unit at a time in order to make the appropriate modifications as new tenants come in.
G-3: Financial Update
·Year-to-Date Operating and Debt Expenses for Fiscal Year 2020 as of May 31st totaled $6,738,099 which is 74% of the annual budget.
· Fiscal Year 2020 Sewer Usage collections through May 31st totaled $6,298,936 which is 90% of the total billed. Of the total collected, $105,355 represents interest.
· Fiscal Year 2020 Sewer Assessment collections through May 31st totaled $364,853 which is 98% of the total billed. Of the total collected, $4,503 represents interest.
· Cash and Investments through May 31st totaled $3,228,179.
·Councilwoman Williamson stated the Operating and Debt Expenses at 74% is quite low. She asked if we will get close to 100%. Ms. Suvajian stated once the Finance Department takes out health insurance, admin. fees, etc… the percentage will go up.
·Mr. Songolo stated we also have some major repair work needed on some of our emergency pumps which will be very costly.
·Councilwoman Williamson asked if that work will be done by the end of June. Mr. Songolo responded the repairs will start now and will likely be done in July.
·Councilman Licciardi asked if the plant is back to full staff now. Mr. Songolo replied yes.
H. Old Business
H-1: Status Update on the Consent Agreement
· Mr. Geremia stated over the past few months we’ve asked DEM for extensions to the deadlines in the new consent agreement regarding the Aluminum limits to treat our Phosphorous. Last week the Town Manager sent a letter to DEM asking for modifications to said deadlines and agreement.
· Mr. Geremia said as soon as he receives the documentation back from DEM with the modified dates he would like to bring it before the Council for approval and signature.
I: Resolutions
SC2020-14:
RESOLVED, per recommendation by the Superintendent of Sewers, to award the following bid for LIME (Contract No. 2020-11) to Madigan Lime Corporation (Lancaster, Massachusetts) for Lime at $0.125 per pound.
·Ms. Suvajian stated Madigan Lime Corporation was the sole bidder.
Resolution moved by Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson. All in favor none opposed.
SC2020-15:
RESOLVED, per recommendation by the Superintendent of Sewers, to award the bid for UNIFORM & towel RENTAL (Contract No. 2020-12), to Cintas Corporation of Cumberland, RI.
·Ms. Suvajian referred to the bid tabulations stating the lower bid from Aramark does not include supplying or cleaning of parkas therefore the actual cost with them would be a lot more.
Resolution moved by Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson. All in favor none opposed.
SC2020-16:
RESOLVED, per recommendation by the Superintendent of Sewers, to approve an amended Contract Extension for SLUDGE DISPOSAL (Contract No. 2017-17), to Synagro of Watertown, CT for $87.53 per wet ton, $20.00 per wet ton for low solids surcharge, $411.24 per dry ton for liquid disposal removal and $0.0381 per gallon for transportation cost.
·Councilwoman Williamson asked how this compares with what we’re paying now. Mr. Songolo replied it is the same as what we are paying now unless we have to go to the landfill.
·Councilman Licciardi asked if there is a cap on what we can send to Synagro. Mr. Songolo replied our contract requires them to take everything unless there are mechanical problems.
·Councilman Licciardi asked if we are paying the same fees to the landfill or if we incur a different rate. Mr. Songolo replied yes, it is a different rate.
·Councilman Licciardi asked if Synagro has given a reason why they can’t always accommodate us. Mr. Songolo replied they are the only local company who takes sludge and their incinerator just can’t handle it all. He said they have been turning some facilities away.
·Mr. Songolo said he recently received an email from Synagro stating they will be closed down for two weeks in July.
·Councilman Licciardi asked if Synagro informs us in writing when they can’t take our sludge. Mr. Songolo replied yes, they send an email.
Resolution moved by Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson. All in favor none opposed.
J: Consent Agenda
SC2020-17:
RESOLVED that the consent agenda, having been posted, all matters having been referred to proper departments and being disposed of or awaiting recommendations the same is hereby approved.
Resolution moved by Councilman Messier and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson. All in favor none opposed.
K: Public Comment
·Councilman Licciardi stated schedules were changed at the sewer plant due to Covid-19 at which time all nonessential employees were cut to 20 hours per week. There were six employees who were considered essential so they continued to work 40 hours per week. Councilman Licciardi said he thinks these six employees should be compensated somehow.
·Council President Gosselin stated this happened throughout all the departments in Town. He said this has been discussed with the Town Manager who sent them a cost analysis showing it would cost a few hundred thousand dollars to compensate all of the essential employees and the Town cannot afford to do it.
·Mr. Williamson suggested putting this on the Town Council agenda for discussion and the Town Manager can present what he’s found regarding the costs at that time.
·Councilman Licciardi asked who the Personal Assistant is listed on the budget under Admin. Fees. Mr. Williamson responded he should get that information from either Mr. Songolo or the Town Manager and if it requires further discussion it should be placed on a public meeting agenda.
L: Adjourn
A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Williamson and seconded by Councilman Messier. All in favor none opposed.
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