WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL
ACTING AS SEWER COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2021 TIME: 7:00 P.M.
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
RESOLVED, that the minutes of the January 19, 2021 and the February 16, 2021 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission, is hereby accepted.
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.
Resolution SC2021-05 was moved by Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilman Messier. All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.
The following is taken from the Plant Manager’s report data from February 2021.
· Average daily flow was 6.0 mgd with a maximum of 11.8 mgd and a minimum of 3.2 mgd.
· CBOD removal was 98%. DEM requirement is 85%.
· TSS removal was 98%. DEM requirement is 85%.
· Total Nitrogen is out of season so we are monitor only.
· Total Phosphorus was 0.5 mg/l. DEM requirement is 1.0 mg/l.
· Sludge to Synagro was 411.36 wet tons. Sludge to Landfill was 70.0 wet tons. Total sludge was 481.36 wet tons.
· There was 1 public line blockup:
1. Cowesett Avenue
· There were 2 private line blockups:
1. East Main Street
2. Lee Street
· There was 1 odor complaints from Providence Street.
· There were no facility violations. (The published Plant Manager’s Report will be revised to read no facility violations).
Significant Industrial Users
· Noramco, formally Rhodes Technologies, submitted their monthly self-monitoring report and all were in compliance. They also submitted their O&M Manual and their Slug Control and all were in compliance.
Private Wastewater Treatment Facilities
· Wassermann, Centre of New England and Walmart all submitted their annual reports on their private wastewater systems.
Food Service Inspections
· Coventry Nutrition was inspected and a permit will be issued next month.
Food Service Permits
· Subway on Sandy Bottom Road in Coventry was issued a new permit.
Plan Reviews
· We are working with the facility going in at James Murphy Highway. Construction is scheduled to begin next month.
· Plans and applications were submitted for 124 Sandy Bottom Road in Coventry. The plans were in general compliance and a letter was issued.
· XtraMart on Tiogue Avenue in Coventry revised their sewer permit and submitted a general plan which was consistent with the regulations.
· Plans and applications were reviewed for 182 Arnold Road in Coventry. The submission was generally in compliance and a letter was issued.
· Puff Puff Paulies on Providence Street submitted an application this month. The property is an existing strip mall. The property owner conducted a visual inspection and submitted a compliance schedule to repair the line. The compliance schedule will allow the tenant to open and the repairs will begin in the Spring of this year.
· Silva Brothers d/b/a Hannoush Jewelers on Quaker Lane, formally a medical facility, began dividing into two tenants. The first permit will be jewelry located on one side.
· Plans were submitted for 57-89 Sandy Bottom Road in Coventry for a new connection for a strip mall. The plans were not consistent with the regulations and a corrective letter was issued.
· Councilwoman Williamson asked for an update on the Laser Tag on Bridal Avenue. Mr. Geremia replied we still need to deal with the building owner which continues to be an issue. We understand that we want to get tenants in there so a permit will be issued but the property owner is definitely an issue and we need to deal with that at some point.
· Year-to-Date Operating and Debt Expenses for Fiscal Year 2021 as of February 28th totaled $6,307,056 which is 68% of the annual budget.
· Fiscal Year 2021 Sewer Usage collections through February 28th totaled $5,692,857 which is 83% of the total billed. Of the total collected, $100,930 represents interest.
· Fiscal Year 2021 Sewer Assessment collections through February 28th totaled $338,750 which is 122% of the total billed. Of the total collected, $2,590 represents interest.
· Cash and Investments through February 28th totaled $3,235,532.
· Bids will be advertised for Plant Chemicals and Analytical Lab Work on March 17, 2021 with a bid opening date of March 31, 2021.
· Councilman Licciardi asked Ms. Suvajian for her opinion whether we will be in the black or the red. Ms. Suvajian replied we are having some issues getting our records from KCWA which is what we base the majority of our revenue on so she can’t really answer that until she gets all the necessary information.
· Councilman Licciardi asked what happens if we end up in the red. Ms. Suvajian replied no matter what we have Unrestricted Funds to balance anything so she isn’t really concerned.
· Councilman Licciardi asked where she is on the upcoming budget. Ms. Suvajian replied that she is pretty far on the expenses but needs the information from KCWA to do the revenue.
· The FY22 budget will be discussed during the budget workshops.
Resolution moved by Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilman Messier.
· Councilwoman Williamson asked about getting a new generator. Ms. Suvajian replied this is for servicing the generators at the pump stations.
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 Council Vice President D’Amico and seconded by Councilwoman Williamson. All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.
· Derek Read from 62 Andrews Avenue asked if it is common practice to have all private line owners submit something stating their lines are up to par. Solicitor Williamson stated this is not on the agenda tonight.
· Mr. Read asked if there is a major backup and sewer is coming out of manholes is the sewer department supposed to be notified. Solicitor Williamson asked if it is a public or private line. Mr. Read replied private line.
· Solicitor Williamson stated this is not an agenda item. Mr. Read requested that his two questions be added to the next sewer meeting agenda for discussion.
· Council President Gosselin asked Mr. Read to be more specific as to what line. Mr. Read replied he wants to know if it is common practice to have all private line owners submit something stating their lines are up to par and if sewer is coming out of manholes is the sewer department supposed to be notified. He is inquiring about a private line on Industrial Lane in West Warwick.
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=kxeipZ9a8I4