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WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL ACTING AS

SEWER COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022 TIME: 6:00 P.M.

LOCATION: TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1170 MAIN STREET

WEST WARWICK, RI 02893

A. Meeting called to order at 6:44 p.m. by Town Council President Gosselin

B. Prayer led by Councilman Bourget

C. Pledge of allegiance led by Councilman Licciardi

D. Roll Call

Members present:

Council President Gosselin

Council Vice President Williamson

Councilman Messier

Councilman Licciardi

Councilman Bourget

Participating communities:

Town of Coventry

Town of Scituate

City of Cranston

City of Warwick

Town of West Greenwich

E. Quorum on record declared

F. Minutes of previous meeting

SC2022-12:

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the March 15, 2022 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission, is hereby accepted.

Resolution SC2022-12 was moved by Council Vice President Williamson and seconded by Councilman Messier. All in favor, none opposed and unanimously voted to accept.

G. Reports

G-1: Town Manager’s Report

Addition to the Management Team

· After months of attempting to fill the vacant position on our management team and working diligently with DEM we have given a conditional offer of employment to Joshua Hope of West Warwick. He will be coming from Narragansett Bay Commission with operations, process monitoring and supervisory experience. He is on target to receive his Grade 4 license this summer and has received a conditional approval to work as our Operations and Maintenance Manager starting on May 9^th.

· He will be learning about our facility, personal and procedures. He will assume responsibility for our inventory project and will be well prepared to assume the Assistant Superintendent position upon obtaining the required license. We wish him much success and welcome him to our team.

Update on Inventory Project

· Several weeks ago, I received a 15-page packet from our Superintendent containing an inventory assessment from throughout the plant. The Operations and Maintenance supervisors worked with the Superintendent to assemble and up-to-date list of materials and their storage locations.

· The team continues to centralize our storage capacity and our new manager will be leading this project to fruition by computerizing the inventory to include par levels.

Suspension of Sewer Sub-Committee

· Mr. Knott proposed to suspend the use of the Sewer Sub-Committee in exchange for a Management Team Meeting. The Sewer Sub-Committee was informally established in the early 90’s to work on a financial issue between the Town and WWTF. We could find no supporting documents which created this panel nor are there any bi-laws. This panel continues to meet to discuss ongoing issues, purchasing and project proposals and work as a team to formulate revenue and expense reports and budgets for consideration by the Town Council acting as the Sewer Commission. The panel has no voting power outside of typical management responsibilities. Based on these facts, he believes the current practice is unnecessary and would be better served by holding periodic Management Team Meetings as needed to promote safe and efficient operations, better fiscal stewardship and preparation of items to be considered by the Sewer Commission. In lieu of having them scheduled once a month he suggests we do them more frequently and open them up to whomever is interested in attending.

· Council President Gosselin asked if these meetings will still include a Council person. Mr. Knott replied yes, it will essentially be the same just more informal. It will not require all the Secretary of State items. We will still have an internal agenda, it will still be shared and we will still take minutes. It just relieves us of open meetings requirements because it’s more of a management function as we don’t vote on anything.

· Councilman Bourget said you wouldn’t have to post meetings at all. Mr. Knott replied correct. Councilman Bourget said if it’s not posted how will the public would know when the meetings are. Mr. Knott replied it’s not a public meeting, it’s a management meeting. Councilman Bourget said right now it’s posted and anyone can go and if you change it won’t be public. Mr. Knott replied essentially, yes.

· Council Vice President Williamson said it’s not unlike the Town Manager meeting with the Tax Assessor or Collector or Solicitor or any other department. Mr. Knott said he meets weekly with the primary departments and bi-weekly with others. This department being an enterprise fund and a high priority operation, he supports one or preferably two Council people to help with this oversight.

· Councilman Bourget brought up the transparency aspect stating if Council members will be there he feels it should be more of an open meeting than a management meeting. Mr. Knott stated the Sub-Committee was set up for a specific purpose. If that’s to continue it should be formally established with bi-laws but he doesn’t see the need for that as the group is strictly advisory and without votes. Councilman Bourget asked why a Council member needs to be part of it. Mr. Knott replied they don’t need to be anymore, it’s a luxury allowing that person direct contact since it’s an enterprise fund and they can be a liaison to the Commission.

· Council President Gosselin said we would normally send issues needing investigation to the Sub-Committee. He asked if we would we still do that or if they would just be put on the Commission agenda. Mr. Knott replied no, they would still come to him. What gets sent there typically is operational matters which should be handled by the Superintendent, his team and himself.

· Councilman Messier stated it is not unlike the Traffic Committee. It’s not posted on Secretary of State. It’s a similar group that makes recommendations and it’s not something that the public attends. They make some important decisions that they bring back to us to vote on.

· Councilman Licciardi said with the sewer department you’re dealing with other cities and towns, not just West Warwick. Mr. Knott stated the public is invited here where votes can happen and input is expected and welcome.

· Council President Gosselin asked if the five other communities come to the Sub-Committee. Mr. Knott replied the Coventry Town Manager comes on occasion and he would always be welcome. He’s just trying to learn about our processes as he has a background in sewer and Coventry is looking to make some improvements.

· Council President Gosselin said it sounds like you’re just changing the name and not having to publicize it. Mr. Knott replied that’s essentially it. Council Vice President Williamson said it makes the administration of it more efficient.

· Council President Gosselin said anyone who has a problem can come to the Commission meetings through public comment or an item on the agenda, so that doesn’t change. Mr. Knott replied correct and any issues that need to be tackled can come directly to the Superintendent and himself and they will be addressed in a timely manner then reported back to the Commission.

· Councilman Bourget asked if after tonight there will be no more Sewer Sub-Committee. Mr. Knott replied after tonight it will be a management meeting.

G-2: Superintendent’s Report – March 2022

· Average daily flow was 6.7 mgd with a maximum of 11 mgd and a minimum of 4.1 mgd.

· CBOD removal was 97% at 3.0 mgd.

· TSS removal was 98% at 2.6 mgd.

· Total Nitrogen is out of season.

· Total Phosphorus was 0.33 mg/l. DEM requirement is 1.0 mg/l.

· Sludge to Synagro was 358 tons. Sludge to Landfill was 220 tons. Total sludge was 578 tons.

· There were 3 public line block ups:

1. Lockwood and Ontario Streets

2. Spring Street

3. Fairgreen Drive

· There was 1 private line block up:

1. Archambault Avenue

· There were 2 odor complaints:

1. Providence Street (same residence)

· There were no facility violations.

· Mr. Chapdelaine stated the facility received two awards for 2021. One was the Gold Award for not having any violations in 2021 and for myself, I won the Operator of the Year award for managing and excellence in leadership in the Wastewater organization.

· Councilman Licciardi asked about the inventory list and was told it was in the packet.

G-3: Industrial Pretreatment Program – March 2022

· The Program submitted the Local Limits Monitoring Plan required by DEM. This allows us to sample within the collection system for residential. It helps us establish ordinance limits for metals and other toxins. The plan was approved by DEM.

Significant Industrial Users

· Noramco submitted their self-monitoring reports and all permit limits were in compliance.

· Dryvit located on Energy Way in West Warwick is closing their facility.

Private Wastewater Treatment Facilities

· All the lines were cleaned at Marketplace Center, Cowesett Corners and East Greenwich Square and were found to be in good condition.

· The Program had a zoom meeting with the engineer for 1600 Division Street. The purpose of this meeting was to go over the O&M manual for their private line to make sure they’re in compliance.

· Centre of New England submitted another O&M manual that was lacking the basic requirements. A letter was sent. Part of the difficulty is it’s under receivership.

Food Service Inspections

Ten food service facilities were inspected this month.

· Roch’s Market installed a new grease recovery device in the meat department but further inspection found the grease recovery device in the kitchen failed. Management will be replacing that one

· The Courthouse Deli which took over Restivo’s Deli is under a consent agreement so we will be working with them.

· Chipotle Mexican Grill had no slips for the cleaning of their grease recovery device. We also found out there was a change in ownership. The new management said they will provide us with the grease recovery slips.

Food Service Permits

· A new permit was issued to Tavern on the Square in East Greenwich.

New Construction

· Upon inspection of Mike’s Tree Service at 1180 Tiogue Avenue we also found an iron haulers business which does maintenance on heavy equipment which requires another permit as well as a grease recovery device. We met with the Town of Coventry and the owners regarding this permit.

· Thundermist at 1 Washington Street connected to sewer but during the construction the Arctic Playhouse had a backup. A contractor tv’d the line and found a break. Further investigation of the line found the Playhouse isn’t connected to sewer directly they are connected through the Thundermist property. We are working with the two property owners who will have to work out an easement to correct the problem.

· Century Plaza on Sandy Bottom Road completed construction.

Plan Reviews

· Plans were reviewed for Keyes Storage on Keyes Way. The plans did not meet requirements and a letter was sent.

· Mega One on Legris Avenue submitted plans. The plans did not meet requirements and a letter was sent.

· We met with representatives of the Warwick Hotel Partners who are taking over Springhill Suites on James P. Murphy Highway. We are working with them during the transition of ownership.

G-4: Financial Report

· Year-to-Date Operating and Debt Expenses for Fiscal Year 2022 as of March 31^st totaled $6,895,025 which is 73% of the annual budget.

· Fiscal Year 2022 Sewer Usage collections through March 31^st totaled $5,615,721 which is 87% of the total billed.

· Fiscal Year 2022 Sewer Assessment collections through March 31^st totaled $247,416 which is 111% of the total billed.

· Cash and Investments through March 31^st totaled $3,242,131.

· There are only two private pump stations that have not paid. I have been in contact with both of them and they are sending payments in. We will be up to date once those payments are received.

H. Resolutions

SC2022-13: Resolution for ARPA Related Projects

RESOLVED, per recommendation of the Superintendent of Sewers, Finance Director and Town Manager that the Engineering Fees for Design, Bidding and Construction Administration for the Installation of Primary Clarifiers (Resolution SC2022-09), Water Meter (Resolution SC2022-30) and Change Order No. 2 to Hart Engineering Corporation for the Dewatering Screw Conveyors (Resolution SC2021-31) be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) as awarded to the Town of West Warwick.

AND IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED that any expenditures for these services in the FY 2022 and FY 2023 Budgets be reallocated to ARPA funding.

Primary Clarifiers:	Design & Bidding Construction Administration	$ 5,800.00 10,400.00	$ 16,200
Water Meter Installation	Design & Bidding Construction Administration	$ 5,200 11,600	$ 16,800
Centrifuge Screw Conveyors	Design Construction Administration O&M Modifications	$ 3,000 9,100 6,240	$ 18,340
		TOTAL	$ 51,340.00

Resolution moved by Council Vice President Williamson and seconded by Councilman Messier.