WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL ACTING AS SEWER COMMISSION

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE:  TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021                    TIME:  6:00 P.M.

 

 

A.        Meeting called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Town Council President Gosselin

 

Prayer led by Councilman Bourget

 

Pledge of allegiance led by Councilman Licciardi

 

B.        Roll Call

 

Members present:

Council President Gosselin

Council Vice President Williamson

Councilman Messier (Arrived late)

Councilman Licciardi

Councilman Bourget

 

Others present:

Charles Lombardi, CWL O&M Solutions, LLC

 

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

SC2021-14:  Tabled

 

A motion was made to take the January 19, 2021 minutes off the table by Council Vice President Williamson and seconded by Councilman Licciardi.

 

·                  Councilman Bourget asked why these minutes were tabled.  Council Vice President Williamson explained they were tabled because the minutes didn’t accurately reflect what happened with an odor complaint.  It has since been researched and recorded accordingly.

 

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the January 19, 2021 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission, is hereby accepted.

 

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

 

SC2021-18:  

 

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the June 15, 2021 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission, is hereby accepted.

 

Resolution SC2021-18 was moved by Council Vice President Williamson and seconded by Councilman Messier.  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 June 2021.

           

·                  There was normal flow to the facility.

·                  All requirements were met and there were no facility violations.

·                  There were 1 public line block up:

·                  Morningside Drive

 

·                  There were 3 private line block ups:

1.      Tampa Street

2.      Kinne Street

 

·                  There were 4 odor complaints:

1.      Three from Providence Street

2.      Two from Duke Street

 

·                  Council Vice President Williamson asked if the odor complaints were due to hot, humid weather.  Mr. Chapdelaine replied for the most part, yes.  The maintenance crew went out to Duke Street a couple of times to resolve the issue there and we normally get calls from Providence Street on very hot days.

 

The following is taken from the Plant Manager’s report data from July 2021.

 

·                  Average daily flow was 5.9 mgd with a maximum of 14.62 mgd and a minimum of 2.6 mgd.

·                  CBOD removal was 98.1%.  DEM requirement is 85%.

·                  TSS removal was 98.4%.  DEM requirement is 85%.

·                  Total Nitrogen was 6.2 mg/l.  DEM requirement is 7.62 mg/l. 

·                  Total Phosphorus was 0.04 mg/l.  DEM requirement is 0.1 mg/l. 

·                  Sludge to Synagro was 551 wet tons.  Sludge to Landfill was 33 wet tons.  Total sludge was 584 wet tons.

 

·                  There were 1 public line block up:

1.      Angel Street

 

·                  There were 9 private line block ups:

1.      East Street

2.      Phenix Avenue

3.      Peters Lane

4.      Fairview Avenue

5.      Dawes Street

6.      Lockwood Street

7.      Sidney Street

8.      Earl Street

9.      Mill Street

 

·                  There were 3 odor complaints:

1.      All from Providence Street

 

·                  There were no facility violations. 

·                  Councilman Licciardi asked if we have a complete staff at the plant now.  Mr. Chapdelaine replied we’re at full staff except for the Superintendent’s position.

·                   Councilman Licciardi asked if the list of data for all of the private pump stations has been completed.  Mr. Chapdelaine replied it’s about 50% complete. 

·                  Mr. Geremia stated we know the locations of the private pump stations but we don’t have the contact information for all of them which is what we need to generate the database.  Of the major users we have about 85%-90% but we need to complete the contact information for the minor users.  He said we are also in the process of billing the private pump stations.

·                  Councilman Licciardi asked if there is a problem with people responding.  Mr. Geremia replied it’s been very slow.  It’s more difficult with a condominium association for example because there are board members, not one specific contact person.

·                  Council Vice President Williamson asked if all the odor complaints from Providence Street are coming from the same residence.  Mr. Chapdelaine replied yes.

·                  Council Vice President Williamson asked if there’s anything we can do to address those complaints.  Mr. Chapdelaine replied we do the best that we can, we have the sprayers and scrubbers on.

·                  Councilman Licciardi asked about the new odor control system with Fusion that was budgeted for and put in place by the previous Superintendent.  Mr. Chapdelaine said this system will help replace the current odor control system we’re using now, it’s a process.  He said looking at previous years, there has been a reduction in odor complaints except for this one residence.

 

E-2:     Industrial Pretreatment Program – July 2021

 

Significant Industrial Users

    

·                  All the significant users submitted their self-monitoring reports.  All but Warwick Ice Cream and Amtrol were in compliance.  A Notice of Violation was sent to Warwick Ice Cream and a Significant Notice of Violation was sent to Amtrol.  Over a six-month period Amtrol has been in noncompliance due to there zinc levels.  The good news is Amtrol has identified the source of the excess zinc which was in their conveying system.  They are in the process of installing new equipment.

·                  The Program conducted the annual inspection of Noramco Technical Center and Rhodes Pharmaceutical.  Rhodes has decreased the use of their lab over the past year but they still request it be permitted.  Rhodes Pharmaceutical continues to operate at the same level as in the past.

·                  New permits were issued for Noramco at 498 and 500 Washington Street.

·                  New England Testing Laboratories (NETL) filed a baseline monitoring report which showed exceedance of Methylene Chloride. The Program contacted the company. NETL notified the Program that they will be retraining their staff and retesting for these parameters.

 

Non-Significant Industrial Users

 

·                  Romancing the Stone at the Centre of New England were in violation because they had a spill and their floor drains had not been plugged.  They submitted their administrative penalty.

·                  New England Labs and Ethide Labs submitted their bi-annual reports and both were in compliance.

·                  A permit will be issued next month for 153 James P. Murphy Highway.

 

Private Wastewater Treatment Facilities

 

·                  East Greenwich Square completed the cleaning of their private line which they do every three months.    wastewater system maintenance over a two-day period. The system was in reasonably good condition. During that inspection we found that Outback Steak House had been demolished. The Program contacted the contractor and the engineer and informed them that they had to cap the sewer line and submit plans for this project.   

·                  The Program received a call from John's Sewer Cleaning because they encountered an obstruction while cleaning the private line at Joann’s Fabrics.  They tv’d the line and found that the line had collapsed.  They are in the process of correcting the problem.

 

Food Service Inspections

 

·                  Bright Star was issued a new permit due to an ownership change.

 

New Connections

 

·                  JP Morgan Chase continues their construction.

·                  Hannoush Jewelers continues their installation.

 

Plan Reviews

 

·                  Plans were reviewed and found generally acceptable for 1180 Tiogue Avenue.

 

 

Other

 

·                  Exclusive Scalp and Teeth Whitening Tattoo Studio will be one of seven commercial tenants in the strip mall located at 53 Providence Street.  Currently there is a food service, dog grooming and a few other businesses and now the tattoo parlor which uses inks that can be toxic as well as needles.  None of these businesses have permits.  They were issued a C.O. but no pretreatment permits. The Program is requiring the owner of the strip mall to put in an inspection manhole outside of the facility. 

·                  C&L Tool at 1505 Main Street informed the Program that they will be subdividing their facility.  It is currently a mechanic shop and they want to put in a second tenant.  We gave them the forms and told them to submit the application.

·                  The Program is working with two tenants at 3 Bridal Avenue, R.I. Vinyl and Detailed Granite Surfaces.  Their applications were reviewed and comment letters were issued.  We are waiting for their responses in order to issue approvals.

·                  Council President Gosselin asked if the new business at 53 Providence Street will have to wait for the inspection manhole to go in before getting approved.  Mr. Geremia replied no, since there are other businesses operating there that are not approved, the Program will deal with the strip mall as a whole once the inspection manhole goes in.

·                  Council President Gosselin stated all the existing businesses at 53 Providence Street came before the Sewer Commission and these permitting issues were never brought up.  Mr. Geremia stated normally the Program will send a letter to the Superintendent either recommending or not recommending a business and sometimes the Superintendent will overrule the Program’s recommendation. 

·                  Council Vice President Williamson asked if the owner will be held responsible at this location.  Mr. Geremia replied yes, it will be the owner’s responsibility to put in an inspection manhole.

·                  Council President Gosselin said the business owner is concerned about when he can move in.  Mr. Geremia replied as soon as the Superintendent issues an approval.

 

E-3:  Director of Administration

 

·                  Year-to-Date Operating and Debt Expenses for Fiscal Year 2022 as of July 31st totaled $861,549 which is 9% of the annual budget. 

·                  Fiscal Year 2022 Sewer Usage collections through July 31st totaled $1,936,527 which is 30% of the total billed. Of the total collected, $5,266 represents interest.

·                  Fiscal Year 2022 Sewer Assessment collections through July 31st totaled $115,396 which is 50% of the total billed.  Of the total collected, $74 represents interest.

·                  Cash and Investments through July 31st totaled $3,238,080.

·                  Councilman Licciardi asked where we stand on the year end.  Ms. Suvajian replied she hasn’t reported on that yet because the auditors are still going through everything and I want to wait until the monies to be transferred by Resolution have been done before I give a report.

·                  Councilman Licciardi asked Ms. Suvajian if she’ll have a report by the next Subcommittee meeting.  She said she should have some closer numbers once she discusses it with the Finance Director.

·                  Councilman Licciardi asked Ms. Suvajian if she will have a breakdown if we are in the red.  She replied yes.

 

F:         New Business

 

F-1:     CWL Audit Report

 

·                  Mr. Lombardi stated in 2017-2018 he did an organizational business practice review regarding staff utilization, CMOM, etc… for the Sewer Commission. He provided 23 recommendations as well as technical memorandums related to pipeline maintenance and manhole inspection practices.  He also suggested adding a Chief Operating Officer’s position and an Asset Management position.  The Council approved the Chief Operating Officer’s position but not the Asset Management position.

·                  Mr. Lombardi said he was asked to come back in September of 2019 to do an audit regarding these   findings and recommendations.  For this review, he interviewed each staff member and noted the current status of each of the original 23 recommendations.

·                  Approximately 15% of the recommendations were acted on but there were still a lot of the same problems such as significant communication problems, staff utilization problems and significant Inflow and Infiltration

·                  (I&I) problems throughout West Warwick.

·                  Management of the budget is done very well but the generation of the budget, especially the Capital budget was alarming.

·                  Four of the required progress reports and a list of sewer projects that the staff would like to see accomplished were submitted to Councilman Licciardi and Councilwoman Williamson and the Town Manager.  The staff projects were the Grit Screws, the # 2 BAF Pump, the Phenix Avenue sewer issue and the drain in the sludge handling room.  The Grit Screws were completed for $10,000 resulting in a $60,000-$70,000 savings.

·                  Councilman Licciardi stated he wanted Mr. Lombardi to come back and do the second audit because there hadn’t been a lot of progress since the first audit and there had also been some staff changes at the plant.  We required progress reports so we could follow up with the Superintendent at the Subcommittee meetings.  We also took a tour of the plant and saw firsthand what was going on, what was being talked about and the conditions the staff were working in. Mr. Lombardi said he could fix it and he did. 

·                  Councilman Licciardi said we’ve now gone through another staff change and he wants to know where we stand with the rest of the projects in the report.

·                  Town Manager Knott stated he met with the Assistant Superintendent and the Director of Administration to review the findings and recommendations in the audit report.  They created a spreadsheet with a breakdown of each item and they discussed what could or could not be done based on budget requirements and which everyday practices could be addressed and fixed right away.  He will provide the spreadsheet with the status of each of the 23 items at the next Subcommittee meeting.

·                  Council Vice President Williamson said this audit was actually done in September of 2020 when there were covid restrictions and part-time workers.  It was a struggle and she appreciated Mr. Lombardi putting in the extra hours at no cost to the Town.

·                  Councilman Bourget stated he found the report extremely helpful and very well done.  He said he does have questions but didn’t ask them due to time constraints.  He suggested scheduling another meeting with the Commission to go over the report.

·                  Council President Gosselin said there is a posting for a Director at the sewer plant.  Town Manager Knott said we have applicants and interviews will be set up after Labor Day.

·                  Council President Gosselin said once we implement a new Director they can review the report.

·                  Councilman Licciardi stated it bothers him that we paid a lot of money for the initial study and nothing has really happened since then.  The stockroom is still atrocious and the plant is still buying parts and supplies that they have in the stockroom.  That’s just a waste of money.  He asked Mr. Chapdelaine is the stockroom has been done.  Mr. Chapdelaine replied we’re in the process, it’s been put in the Capital budget for this year.  We’ll be getting some storage units for each department to store their stuff.

·                  Council President Gosselin asked if an inventory has been taken.  Mr. Chapdelaine replied not very well.  We want to get the storage units first so we can take an inventory for each department.

·                  Councilman Licciardi said it’s been three and a half years, this should have been done.  Mr. Chapdelaine stated it’s in the works.

 

G.        Consent Agenda

 

SC2021-17:  Tabled

           

A motion was made to take the January 19, 2021 minutes off the table by Council Vice President Williamson and seconded by Councilman Messier.

 

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 SC2021-17 was moved by Council Vice President Williamson and seconded by Councilman Messier.  All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

SC2021-20: 

 

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 SC2021-20 moved by Council Vice President Williamson and seconded by Councilman Licciardi.  All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

 

H.        Public Comment

 

·                  Councilman Licciardi stated we have had three Superintendents in the last five years.  We have a Subcommittee and a Sewer Commission to govern the sewer department.  He asked if there is something in writing that defines the roles of what the Subcommittee and Sewer Commission is supposed to do.

·                  Solicitor Williamson stated this topic should be on a separate Sewer Committee agenda item for discussion.

·                  There was a brief discussion whether or not these regulations or bi-laws exist and if not, what steps would need to be taken to create them and by who. 

           

I.          Adjourn

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Council President Gosselin and seconded by Council Vice President Williamson.  All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

 

 

 

To view this meeting go to:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6a5AKkU_XWQPoV26Xmc0qA