WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

ACTING AS SEWER COMMISSION

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE:  TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021                  TIME:  7:00 P.M.

 

 

A.        Meeting called to order at 7:40 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

 

SC2021-01: 

 

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the December 15, 2020 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission, is hereby accepted.

 

Resolution moved by Councilman Messier and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.

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 December 2020.

           

·        Average daily flow was 8.6 mgd with a minimum of 6.3 mgd. 

·        CBOD removal was 98%.  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 0.44 mg/l.  DEM requirement is 1.0 mg/l. 

·        Sludge removal to Synagro was 609 wet tons which is 152 dry tons.  No sludge was sent to the Landfill.

 

·        There were 4 public line blockups:

 

1.     Phenix Avenue

2.     Winthrop Avenue

3.     Maple Avenue

4.     Shortway Drive

 

 

·        There were 7 private line blockups:

 

1.   Beauchaine Street

2.   Crossbow Lane

3.   Earl Street

4.   High View Drive

5.   Main Street

6.   Prospect Street

7.   Quill Drive

 

·        There were no odor complaints or facility violations.

·        Mr. Songolo said the new Assistant Superintendent has started working.

·        Councilman Licciardi asked Mr. Songolo if he was sure there were no odor complaints this month.  Mr. Songolo replied there was no record of any odor complaints.  He said he asked the staff if anyone took a complaint but forgot to hand in the paperwork but nothing was found.

·        Councilwoman Williamson stated she thinks there was one and she has seen the paperwork for it.  Mr. Songolo stated we didn’t receive any paperwork for it.

 

E-2:     Industrial Pretreatment Program – December 2020

                       

Significant Industrial Users

    

·        Rhodes Technologies submitted their self-monitoring reports and all were in compliance.

·        Warwick Ice Cream exceeded for oil and grease last month.  They have re-tested and they are now within their limits.

·        New permits were issued for Noramco Coventry, LLC (formerly Rhodes Technologies).

·        Annual inspections were conducted at Amtrol, Immunex, Amgen and Bradford Soap Works.  All of the facilities were operating in accordance with their permits.

·        Immunex has informed us that they will be changing some of their production pending FDA approval.

 

Food Service Inspections

Five inspections were conducted this month.

 

·        Boomerangs Roadhouse is a new facility that does not meet the current regulations.  We gave them a compliance schedule so they can maintain their operation while updating their pretreatment regulations.

·        Zeng's Kitchen was open without a permit. During our inspection we found their grease recovery device was not functioning properly.  We required them to submit a plan and questionnaire to bring them into compliance.

·        The other three facilities were in compliance.

 

Food Service Permits

 

·        Coventry Tortilla, LLC in Centre of New England

·        TBonz Grill on Tiogue Avenue in Coventry

·        Taco Bell on Bald Hill Road in Warwick renewed their permit.

 

E-Permitting Systems

 

·        We received a new permit for a testing lab to be located at James P. Murphy Highway.  They are in the process of developing detailed plans and completing their questionnaire.  A C.O. has been issued by the Building Department and they are awaiting Sewer Department approval.

 

New Connections

 

·        499 & 501 Washington Street in Coventry continues construction.

·        JP Morgan Chase Bank (formally Ruby Tuesdays) has completed their installation.

·        Coventry Fire District - Anthony Fire Station continues construction.

·        294 Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick continues construction.

 

Other

 

·        Tropical Smoothie Café on New London Turnpike in Coventry did submit the additional information we requested.  However, it was still incomplete and the Program is working with them to complete the applications.

·        Wise Guys Deli in West Warwick changed ownership without notifying the Program.  It is now Wise Guys Deli House, LLC.  We’ve informed them they will need to resubmit a new permit application.

·        Council President Gosselin asked about Boomerangs Roadhouse not meeting the current regulations as it was previously a restaurant.  Mr. Geremia replied the sewer line/lateral at this facility has collapsed.  We’re giving them 6-9 months to complete the necessary repairs.

 

E-3:  Director of Administration

 

·        Year-to-Date Operating and Debt Expenses for Fiscal Year 2021 as of December 31^st totaled $5,380,899   which is 58% of the annual budget. 

·        Fiscal Year 2021 Sewer Usage collections through December 31^st totaled $4,527,439 which is 66% of the    total billed. Of the total collected, $71,379 represents interest.

·        Fiscal Year 2021 Sewer Assessment collections through December 31^st totaled $287,447 which is 104% of the total billed.  Of the total collected, $1,708 represents interest.

·        Cash and Investments through December 31^st totaled $3,234,550. 

·        As for the budget timeline, we would like to hold our Public Hearings on April 20, 2021 and May 11, 2021    then go before the Town Council for approval on May 25, 2021.

 

F:         Consent Agenda

 

SC2021-02: 

 

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

 

G:        Public Comment

                       

H:        Adjourn

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Messier 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=ng2wZjx2qv8