WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL ACTING AS SEWER COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021 TIME: 7:00 P.M.
Members present:
Council President Gosselin
Councilman Messier
Councilman Licciardi
Councilwoman Williamson
Participating communities:
Town of Coventry
Town of Scituate
City of Cranston
City of Warwick
Town of West Greenwich
· The January 19, 2021 minutes were tabled pending an investigation of an odor complaint from December.
· Ms. Suvajian stated she and Mr. Chapdelaine did conduct an investigation.
The January 19, 2021 minutes were tabled at the February 16, 2021 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission and they will remain tabled.
RESOLVED, that the minutes of the March 16, 2021 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission, is hereby accepted.
Resolution SC2021-09 was moved by Councilwoman Williamson and seconded by Council Vice President D’Amico. All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.
The following is taken from the Plant Manager’s report data from March 2021.
· Average daily flow was 6.1 mgd with a maximum of 14.8 mgd and a minimum of 3.3 mgd.
· CBOD removal was 97%. DEM requirement is 85%.
· TSS removal was 97%. DEM requirement is 85%.
· Total Nitrogen is out of season so we are monitor only.
· Total Phosphorus was 0.22 mg/l. DEM requirement is 1.0 mg/l.
· Sludge to Synagro was 611 wet tons. No sludge was sent to the Landfill. Total sludge was 611 wet tons.
· There were no public line blockups.
· There were 4 private line blockups:
1. Ethel Avenue
2. Industrial Lane
3. Border Street
4. Weaver Street
· There were no odor complaints.
· There were no facility violations.
Significant Industrial Users
· Noramco submitted their self-monitoring report and all the limits were in compliance.
· Immunex (Amgen) notified us that they’ll be starting a new production line next month. We don’t believe they’ll be any changes to the wastewater characteristics as the production is similar to the current production.
· Amtrol is preparing a new fiberglass extrusion process. Currently, Amtrol is testing the wastewater then taking it offsite for disposal. Once we receive the complete analysis of the wastewater we can determine if they can discharge into the West Warwick system of if they will require a significant pretreatment.
Private Wastewater Treatment Facilities
· East Greenwich Square conducted their line cleaning over a two-day period. They also replaced one of the pumps at their pump station so it is now at full capacity. The line was found to be in good condition and they will continue to clean the line three times per year. The line associated with 1149 restaurant was not cleaned as this restaurant is closed.
· The Centre of New England submitted the inspection reports for their two pump stations. The reports indicate the pumps are operating under normal conditions and no issues were found.
· Cowesett Corners has started to collect the maintenance records from their tenants. The Property Manager has set up a system to ensure that all the tenants are in compliance with the maintenance requirements.
· A new property manager was assigned for the Wolohoojian line. The Program met with the new manager and informed them of the O&M regulations and the emergency contact requirements. They have 30 days to provide us with an updated O&M.
· The contractor for Showcase Cinema asked us to inspect their force main. They could only inspect a portion of the force main because the line is so long. Come Spring, we will come up with a method to examine the entire force main.
· Wasserman submitted their pumping records.
Food Service Inspections
· T Bonz Grill in Coventry was inspected this month. The inspection showed the inlet tee in the grease trap had become dislodged. They will replace it during the next cleaning.
· Walmart at Centre of New England, Starbucks and Black Oak in Coventry all submitted grease interceptor slips and all were in compliance.
· The engineer for Boomerangs requested an extension due to weather condition to comply with the Consent Agreement the Program issued. The extension was granted.
Food Service Permits
New permits were issued for:
· Coventry Nutrition
· Azo’s Pizza
Plan Reviews
· Plans were reviewed for 57 Sandy Bottom Road which were in general compliance and a letter was sent.
New Connections
· Connections were completed at 153 James P. Murphy Highway.
· Construction continues at 294 Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick and is expected to be completed next month.
· JP Morgan Chase has begun the demolition of the former Hannoush Jewelers. There have been some difficulties locating the lateral so we are working with their engineer to find the proposed lateral.
· The Program received information regarding the re-development of 1 Washington Street in West Warwick which was originally a bank and is now being converted to a dental office. The engineer for the developer was given the forms and application and was informed of the dental category under 40 CFR 441.
· Councilman Licciardi asked if the new residential development going in on Old North Road in Coventry will be connecting to sewers and if so, how that will impact the WWTF. Mr. Geremia replied they will be connecting and it really won’t impact the WWTF because Coventry has a reserve capacity of approximately 2.4 million gallons.
· Councilman Licciardi asked what it means for us financially. Ms. Suvajian said we will be collecting at least $142 per home for the 4000 cf. minimum.
· Councilman Licciardi asked if we are tracking this. Ms. Suvajian replied yes, all of the Towns have to come to us for the permitting but the Billing Clerk and I work directly with the Coventry Tax Collector whenever there’s a new connection in Coventry. We also work with Coventry at year end to verify we have all the new accounts.
· Councilman Licciardi asked Ms. Suvajian to start providing a list of new connections to the Sewer Commission.
· Year-to-Date Operating and Debt Expenses for Fiscal Year 2021 as of March 31st totaled $6,677,316 which is 72% of the annual budget.
· Fiscal Year 2021 Sewer Usage collections through March 31st totaled $6,169,821 which is 87% of the total billed. Of the total collected, $120,767 represents interest.
· Fiscal Year 2021 Sewer Assessment collections through March 31st totaled $353,645 which is 126% of the total billed. Of the total collected, $3,092 represents interest.
· Cash and Investments through March 31st totaled $3,236,048
· Councilwoman Williamson asked why the Sewer Assessment is 126%. Ms. Suvajian replied a lot of people will pay off their assessment when selling their home so it brings it above 100%.
RESOLVED, per recommendation by the Assistant Superintendent of Sewers, to award the following bids for Plant Chemicals (Contract No. 2021-11) to:
Borden & Remington Corp. (Fall River, Massachusetts) for Sodium Hypochlorite (15%) at $1.245 per gallon;
Borden & Remington Corp. (Fall River, Massachusetts) for Sodium Hydroxide at $1.4829 per gallon;
Madigan Lime Corporation (Lancaster, Massachusetts) for Lime at $0.13 per pound;
Univar USA Inc. (Providence, Rhode Island) for Methanol in the amount of $1.615 per gallon and;
Holland Company, Inc. (Adams, Massachusetts) for Alum at $1.11 per gallon.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Council President acting as Sewer Commission Chairman be authorized to sign any related contract upon review and approval of the Town Solicitor and the Administration.
Resolution moved by Councilwoman Williamson and seconded by Councilman Messier. All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.
RESOLVED, per recommendation by the Assistant Superintendent of Sewers, to approve Amendment #2 Contract Extension for SLUDGE DISPOSAL (Contract No. 2017-17), to Synagro of Watertown, CT to be extended for the period from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for $88.23 per wet ton, subject to Annual CPI adjustment on July 1, 2021, as outlined in Contract No. 2017-17.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Council President acting as Sewer Commission Chairman is hereby authorized to sign any related contracts subject to review and approval of the Town Solicitor and the Administration.
Resolution moved by Councilwoman Williamson and seconded by Councilman Messier.
· Councilwoman Williamson stated there are no other companies around who do this so they are our only option.
All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.
RESOLVED, per recommendation of the Sewer Subcommittee and Assistant Superintendent of Sewers, that the Town Council President acting as Sewer Commission Chairman be authorized to approve an amendment to the FY21 Budget whereby the Sewer Enterprise Fund will utilize One Hundred, Eighty-One Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($181,000.00) of undesignated fund balance as a source of funds to purchase and repair two BAF Pumps. Funds will be designated against Account No. 1.200.20.2000.5909 (Capital Projects).
Resolution moved by Councilman Messier and seconded by Councilman Licciardi.
· Mr. Geremia stated all wastewater going into the plant has to be pumped twice through the intermediate pumping station. Currently we have one pump out that is being rebuilt at a cost of $78,000. We are using a rehabbed pump and an older pump which is at its life expectancy so we need to purchase a new one to replace it. The cost for the new pump is $103,000.
· Mr. Geremia stated this is a critical component and it needs to be addressed.
· Councilman Licciardi asked how much will be left in this account. Ms. Suvajian replied as of the end of FY20 we had approximately $4,000,000. We will probably have close to $2,000,000 at the end of FY21 due to the many major repairs being done this year.
All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.
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 Councilman Licciardi. All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.
None
A motion to adjourn was made by Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson. All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.
To view this meeting go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxeipZ9a8I4