WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

ACTING AS SEWER COMMISSION

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE:  TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020               TIME:  7:00 P.M.

A.        Meeting called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Town Council President Gosselin

 

B.        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

 

C.        Commission Clerk determined a quorum on record.

 

D.        Minutes of previous meeting

 

SC2020-29: 

 

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the October 20, 2020 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission, is hereby accepted.

 

Resolution moved by Councilwoman Williamson and seconded by Council Vice President D’Amico.

All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

E.         Reports

 

E-1: Plant Manager

The following is taken from the Plant Manager’s report data from October 2020.

           

·        Average daily flow was 3.5 mgd with a maximum of 7.4 mgd.

·        CBOD removal was 99%.  DEM requirement is 85%.

·        TSS removal was 98%.  DEM requirement is 85%.

·        Total Nitrogen was 6.2 mg/l.  DEM requirement is 7.6 mg/l.  

·        Total Phosphorus was 0.10 mg/l.  DEM requirement is 1.0 mg/l. 

·        Sludge sent to Synagro was 578.9 wet tons which is approximately 150 dry tons.  No sludge was sent to the Landfill.  Total wet tons were 578.9.  Total dry tons were 150.

 

·        There was 1 public line blockup:

1.   10/20/20 on Maple Avenue – There was a sewage overflow with sewage in the basement.  We submitted a claim and notified DEM.

 

 

·        There were 2 private line blockups:

1.   10/21/20 on Summit Avenue

2.   10/30/20 on Summit Avenue

 

·        We conducted a Trips, Slips and Falls training in preparation for the winter weather. 

·        There were no odor complaints.

·        There were no facility violations.

·        We have been hit heavily by Covid-19.  We have a couple of positive cases and a number of employees out on quarantine.

 

E-2:     Industrial Pretreatment Program – September 2020

                       

Significant Industrial Users

    

·        Rhodes Technologies, Bradford Soap, Warwick Ice Cream, Amtrol and Immunex (Amgen) all submitted their self-monitoring reports.

·        We conducted the annual inspection of Warwick Ice Cream and they were found to be in general compliance.

 

Food Service Inspections

Three food service facilities were inspected this month.

 

·   Tavern on the Lake d/b/a Morse Tavern in Coventry changed ownership.  The previous owner had an outstanding notice of violation which has now been resolved and a new permit was issued. 

·   Caliente Mexican Grill will be opening in the space formerly occupied by Cakestation. The facility has installed a grease recovery device and a new permit was issued.

·   Taqueria La Casa Del Sabor, LLC is a new facility not yet in operation. This facility is connected to an apartment building.  Upon inspection we found the line is not operating correctly.  The owner is working to resolve this problem. 

 

Lint Permits

 

·   The New Cleanery on Tiogue Avenue in West Warwick was issued a new permit.

 

Plan Reviews

 

·   Plans were reviewed for JP Morgan Chase in East Greenwich, 499 & 501 Sandy Bottom in Coventry and 97 Sandy Bottom Road in Coventry.  Letters were issued for each of these facilities in compliance with the regulations.

 

Private Wastewater Treatment Facilities Reviews

 

·   The Centre of New England has been in receivership for several years.  We have had difficulties getting the bankruptcy manager to submit Operating and Maintenance (O&M) procedures for this facility.  We continue to work with them to develop a proper program but they continue to resist.

 

New Connections

 

·   272 and 294 Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick and Anthony Fire Station in Coventry are all continuing construction this month and are in various stages of completion. 

 

E-3:  Director of Administration

 

·   Year-to-Date Operating and Debt Expenses for Fiscal Year 2021 as of October 31^st totaled $4,703,242 which is 50% of the annual budget. 

·   Fiscal Year 2021 Sewer Usage collections through October 31^st totaled $3,911,833 which is 59% of the total billed. Of the total collected, $50,769 represents interest.

·   Fiscal Year 2021 Sewer Assessment collections through October 31^st totaled $255,401 which is 92% of the total billed.  Of the total collected, $1,135 represents interest.

·   Cash and Investments through October 31^st totaled $3,233,300. 

 

F.         Old Business

               

F-1:  103 Providence Street

 

·        Mr. Geremia said at the direction of the Town Council we investigated the problems being reported at 103 Providence Street. 

·        The question has been who, on that side of Providence Street is connected to the private line formally owned by the mill system and who is connected to the public line.

·        Both the WWTF and Geremia & Associates conducted dye tests and inspections from 91 Providence Street to 107 Providence Street, with the exception of # 95 where there was no one home to let us in.  We found the wastewater for all but # 107 was flowing to the private line.

·        Mr. Geremia said he spoke to one of the homeowners who explained that each of the homeowners connected to the private line are responsible to maintain their section of the that line. 

·        Mr. Geremia stated it would be difficult for these homes to connect to the public line due to the extreme elevation on that section of the road.  They would all have to install an Environmental-1 (E-1) Pump.  He said it should remain a private line.

·        Mr. Geremia stated at # 103 they found a fence installed which blocked access to the private line.  Upon inspection of the lateral at # 103 we found roots present and the pipe was broken which is what is causing all the problems and clogging within the private line.  He said this needs to be cleaned and repaired.  There have been problems with backups at this home in the past primarily due to the condition of her lateral. 

·        Mr. Geremia stated per the Town’s Sewer Ordinance a homeowner is responsible for maintaining the lateral from their home to the main line and for putting in a backflow preventer. 

·        Mr. Geremia stated the insurance company compensated the owner of # 103 last time she had a backup in her home.  At that time, she was instructed to install a backflow preventer yet she still has not done so.

·        Council President Gosselin asked if all the homeowners from # 91 to # 107 have paid sewer assessments.  Mr. Geremia replied he would have to research that but the private line does tie in to the public sewers and the assessments also cover maintaining the treatment plant and the pump stations.

·        Pamela Padula of 101 Providence Street stated she has been dealing with this problem for three years and asked when the owner of # 103 is going to get into compliance.  She stated it causes her toilets to backup and she has to have Roto-Rooter come out periodically.  She said she pays her sewer taxes and this is very unfair to her.

·        Council President Gosselin asked how the problem in # 103’s lateral could backup # 101.  Mr. Geremia replied when they are rodding the line at # 103 the roots and debris are flowing into the main private line and which is plugging it up.

·        Ms. Padula said she has paid $500 to have the line cameraed and her line was found to be clean and # 103’s was not.  She said she has tried to talk to the owner of # 103 about fixing her lateral but she refuses to do so

·        Council President Gosselin said since this is a private line what authority does the Town have.  Ms. Padula stated her tenants have had sewage backup in their tubs and now there is a horrible sewer smell about once a month.  She said the owner of # 103 needs to be in compliance.  This is very unfair and it is a health issue.  Something needs to be done.

·        Ilda Nersesyan of 103 Providence Street said Ms. Padula is lying. 

·        Council President Gosselin said to Ms. Nersesyan if her lateral is the problem than it is the homeowner’s responsibility to fix it.  Ms. Nersesyan replied her lateral is not the problem, they are making this up.

·        Ms. Nersesyan asked Mr. Geremia how he knows it’s her lateral causing the problem.  Mr. Geremia replied because we cameraed it and we saw the roots and the broken pipe.

·        Ms. Nersesyan stated every time Ms. Padula has something fixed with her line at # 101 it clogs up her property.  She said it is the opposite of what Ms. Padula is saying.

·        Council President Gosselin asked if there is a video of the broken pipe.  Mr. Songolo stated the camera used does not make video but it does take pictures however the pictures are not very good quality.  He said the crew working the camera could see in the pipe and they all concluded there was a crack in the pipe.  Ms. Nersesyan said she did not conclude that.

·        Mr. Geremia said everything else aside, there still needs to be a backflow preventer installed at # 103 in accordance with the Ordinance.  He said Ms. Nersesyan was paid an insurance claim for damages due to a backup at her home.  As a result of that claim, a backflow preventer has to be installed.

·        Councilman Licciardi asked if the backflow preventer is installed at # 103 will it solve the problems for # 101?  Mr. Geremia replied no, because the pipe is still cracked.  Mr. Songolo concurred.

·        Council President Gosselin said he’s disturbed to hear about the quality of the photo and the fact that it hasn’t been shared with Ms. Nersesyan.

·        Mr. Songolo stated we were running an investigation doing things we were not supposed to do.  We had to dismantle part of the piping in the basement to get into her lateral.  We are not supposed to do that.  Also, the camera with video we normally use is too large to fit into Ms. Nersesyan’s pipe which is why we had to use the other, smaller camera.

·        Mr. Songolo stated we should focus on the real problem here which is the replacement of her lateral and installing a backflow preventer.  Once this is done there shouldn’t be any more problems.

·        There was additional discussion about the fact that this is a private line and therefore not the Town’s responsibility.

·        Mr. Geremia stated there is a fence blocking the access to this private line and there is no easement of record to this line.

·        Council President Gosselin asked Solicitor Williamson if this is more of a legal matter between the neighbors.  Solicitor Williamson replied based on the information provided by Mr. Geremia and the fact that the problem is due to a private lateral on private property the Town really cannot interfere.  He said Ms. Padula and Ms. Nersesyan have the right to file claims against each other’s property insurance or Ms. Padula can contact the Department of Health.

·        Solicitor Williamson recommended providing the Town’s report to both of the property owners along with any evidence, photos or video.  He said the Town cannot go in and fix this problem without setting a precedence to fix every lateral on every street within the Town.  He does not recommend utilizing Town employee’s time and resources to fix private property.

·        Ms. Nersesyan said the real problem is the clay pipe, there are roots in the main pipe.  She said she can camera it and prove it.  Council President Gosselin replied she’s welcome to have a company come out to camera the line then she can provide the information to the Sewer Commission.  However, if you’re line is cracked it is your responsibility to fix it.

·        Ms. Nersesyan stated if her line is cracked she will fix it but it is not cracked, it’s the roots.  She said Mr. Songolo is cutting the roots and pushing them towards her lateral which is why it is getting clogged up.

·        Ms. Nersesyan stated she doesn’t know why # 101 is getting clogged up as her property was vacant for five years.  She said Ms. Padula cut her trees because there is a root problem.

·        Ms. Padula stated she began having problems in 2016 when Ms. Nersesyan was occupying the house.  She said Ms. Nersesyan told her she couldn’t rent out her apartments because her toilets didn’t work.

·        Ms. Padula stated everyone’s pipes are old and they all need to be replaced.  We all need to get together and install a new line.

·        Council President Gosselin asked Ms. Padula if she is willing to work with all four neighbors to get this problem resolved.  Ms. Padula replied absolutely however she has had this cameraed and she was told the problem is from next door.

·        Council President Gosselin suggested both Ms. Nersesyan and Ms. Padula get together with the other neighbors and try to resolve this issue.

·        Councilwoman Williamson stated the clay line is a private line and this is a private issue.

 

G:        Resolutions

 

SC2020-30:  Sewer Commission Meeting Schedule for 2021 

 

RESOLVED, that the Sewer Commission, appointed by the Town Council, will meet on the third Tuesday of each month and on the fourth Tuesday of May at 7:00 p.m. per the following schedule.  Special Meetings will be held in accordance with Article 4, Section 404 of the Town of West Warwick Town Charter.

 

Resolution moved by Councilwoman Williamson and seconded by Council Vice President D’Amico.

All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

    

SC2020-31:  Sewer Subcommittee Meeting Schedule for 2021  

 

RESOLVED, that the Sewer Subcommittee, appointed by the Town Council, will meet on the first Thursday of each month at 3:00 p.m. (excluding holidays when it will be moved to the following Thursday) prior to the monthly Sewer Commission meetings, per the following schedule.  Special Meetings will be held in accordance with Article 4, Section 404 of the Town of West Warwick Town Charter.

 

Resolution moved by Councilwoman Williamson and seconded by Council Vice President D’Amico.

All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

 

SC2020-32:  Sewer Use Appeals Board Meeting Schedule for 2021

 

RESOLVED, that the Sewer Use Appeals Board, appointed by the Town Council, will meet on the first Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. (excluding holidays when it will be moved to the following Thursday) per the following schedule.

 

Resolution moved by Councilwoman Williamson and seconded by Councilman Licciardi.  All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

SC2020-33:  Request to Amend the FY21 Budget to Utilize Undesignated Fund Balance

 

RESOLVED, per recommendation of the Superintendent of Sewers, that the Town Council President be authorized to approve an amendment to the FY21 Budget whereby the Sewer Enterprise Fund will utilize Seventy-Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($78,700.00) of undesignated fund balance as a source of funds to purchase a Portable Engine Generator.  Funds will be designated against Account No. 1.200.20.2000.5909 (Capital Projects).

 

Resolution moved by Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.

All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

SC2020-34:  Portable Engine Generator (Contract No. 2021-04) Bid Award

 

RESOLVED, per recommendation of the Superintendent of Sewers, to award the bid for a Portable Engine Generator (Contract No. 2021-04) to KRAFT POWER CORPORATION of Woburn, Massachusetts in the amount of Seventy -Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($78,700.00).  Funds will be transferred from the unrestricted funds.

 

Resolution moved by Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.

All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

·        Councilwoman Williamson stated the WWTF had been borrowing generators from time-to-time from Warwick.  While preparing the budget there was discussion about purchasing a used generator however the Sewer Subcommittee decided it would be wiser to purchase a new one, hence the need to move the funds.  Per Mr. Songolo, the generator has been purchased and we are waiting for the delivery.

 

H:        Consent Agenda

 

SC2020-35: 

 

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 Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.  All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

I:          Public Comment

                       

·   Councilman Licciardi asked for the status of staffing at the plant.  Mr. Songolo stated it is getting close to critical.  We have five staff members that are out due to Covid.  One is coming back tomorrow, two are quarantined awaiting their test results and another one will be out for two weeks.

·   Councilwoman Williamson asked Chief Varone what the length of quarantine would be for someone who’s spouse has tested positive.  Chief Varone replied 14 days from the time they started to isolate from each other or from the last contact with each other.

·   Councilman Licciardi asked if an employee is assigned to a certain job and they’re out what happens.  Mr. Songolo stated if it’s an area where we have a rotation of shifts then we will have coverage and that employee won’t rotate until the other one comes back.  If not, we will move employees to where they are needed in accordance with the State of Emergency guidelines.

 

 

 

J:         Adjourn

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Messier and seconded by Councilman Licciardi.  All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

 

 

 

 

To view this meeting go to:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng2wZjx2qv8