WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL ACTING AS

SEWER COMMISSION

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE:  TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2022     TIME:  6:00 P.M.

 

LOCATION:  TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

1170 MAIN STREET

WEST WARWICK, RI  02893

 

A.        Meeting called to order at 6:01 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

SC2022-04: 

 

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the January 18, 2022 Town Council meeting, acting as the Sewer Commission, is hereby accepted.

 

Resolution SC2022-04 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:  Plant Manager

•        The following is taken from the Plant Manager’s report data from January, 2022.

•         

•        Average daily flow was 4.8 mgd with a maximum of 7.9 mgd and a minimum of 1.2 mgd.

•        CBOD removal was 99% or 2.2 mg/l.  DEM requirement is 85%.

•        TSS removal was 98% or 2.6 mg/l.  DEM requirement is 85%.

•        Total Nitrogen is out of season. 

•        Total Phosphorus was 0.75 mg/l.  DEM requirement is 1.0 mg/l. 

•        Sludge to Synagro was 393 wet tons. Sludge to Landfill was 62 wet tons.  Total sludge was 455 tons. 

•        There was 1 public line block up:

1.   Epworth Street

•         

•        There were 7 private line block ups:

1.   2 on Fountain Street

2.   Wilson Street

3.   Highland Street

4.   Garfield Terrace

5.   Manchester Street

6.   Junior Street

 

•        There was 1 odor complaint:

1.   Fernwood Drive

 

•        There were no facility violations. 

•        Mr. Chapdelaine welcomed the new office manager, Tony Corrente.  We posted a mechanic’s position today.  We’ve received some applications for the Assistant Superintendent’s position but they didn’t have the Grade 4 license so they didn’t meet the qualifications.    

•        Mr. Chapdelaine stated one of the Primary Clarifiers at the facility malfunctioned and is currently offline.  The tank repair is in the Capital budget but we will have to order some parts to get it up and running and get it back online.  We will have a Resolution for you at next month’s meeting.  We are looking to use the American Rescue Plan Funds (ARPA) for these repairs.

•        Councilman Licciardi said we had quite a few block ups in private lines.  He asked what we’re finding.  Mr.      Chapdelaine replied mostly roots and debris in resident’s laterals.

 

G-2:     Industrial Pretreatment Program – January, 2022

 

Significant Industrial Users

 

•        Our significant industrial users all submitted their quarterly and/or semi-annual reports and all were in compliance with the regulations.

•        Dryvit Industries is moving out of town.  No date has been set yet.

 

Private Wastewater Treatment Facilities

 

•        National Amusements is awaiting DOT’s approval to repair their force main.

 

Food Service

 

•        Golden Land Restaurant on Main Street was inspected and found to be in general compliance. 

•        Backyard BBQ on Tiogue Avenue in Coventry (formally T-Bones) repaired their grease recovery system.

•        Domino’s Pizza replaced their grease recovery system and are now fully operational.

•        Restivo’s Deli is closed and Courthouse Deli will be taking over that space.  We are waiting for their plans.

•        Moe’s in Warwick has closed.

 

Food Service Permits

 

•        A new permit was issued for Kentucky Fried Chicken.

•        A revised permit was issued for Subway on Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick.

 

New Connections

 

•        Century Plaza construction was completed this month.

 

Plan Reviews

 

•        Plans were reviewed for Paul Arpin on James P. Murphy Hwy.  This facility is being subdivided   We’ve reviewed the plans to insure they have divided sewer.

•        Plans submitted by Ripples Swim School were not in compliance and a letter was issued.

•        Event Planning Center on Bridal Avenue submitted plans with minor modifications to their existing process.  A letter was issued approving it.

•        Plans were reviewed for 293 and 265 Providence Street in West Warwick.  Plans met the contract requirements however, due to the weather conditions we will meet with the contractor in the upcoming months.

•        Plans and applications were submitted for 577 Tiogue Avenue.  The plans were not consistent with the regulations and a letter was issued.

 

Other

 

•        We received an application for 24/7 Laundry on West Warwick Avenue.  The facility did not submit any plans and a visual inspection found no lint traps at the facility so a letter was issued.

•        We met with Springfield Suites on James P. Murphy Highway due to a recent change in ownership which will require a modified permit.  We have not received the application yet.

•        Councilman Bourget asked if we would shut Springfield Suites down if they don’t turn in their application.  Mr. Geremia replied we have an application we just need the revision on the ownership change.

•        Councilman Bourget asked how much time we give them to turn in the application.  Mr. Geremia replied a couple of months since it’s corporate.

•        Councilman Licciardi asked where we stand with the private pump stations.  Mr. Geremia replied we are moving forward, we’ve sent out the bills but it’s a slow process.  Councilman Licciardi asked where we are in the process.  Mr. Geremia replied 25% to 50% complete on all the applications.  We’ve concentrated on all the bigger users now we are working on the smaller pump stations like condominium associations, etc…

•        Councilman Licciardi said there has to be a point person for these condo associations.  This should’ve been rectified a long time ago since they’re using the pump stations.  Mr. Geremia stated it’s difficult finding a point person within the condo associations.

•        Council Vice President Williamson asked who is sending out the bills.  Mr. Geremia replied the Sewer   Commission.

•        Mr. Geremia stated if a pump station failed at a condominium association we would still notify DEM.  Unfortunately, without an O&M manual for the pump station we won’t have up to date contact information.

•        Councilman Licciardi asked who we send the bills to.  Mr. Geremia replied the condo association.  Councilman Licciardi asked where the follow-up is if the bills are being ignored.  Mr. Geremia replied the bills are getting paid but they are not sending in the O&M manuals.  We will continue to pursue this and will have it completed by the end of the fiscal year.

•        Councilman Licciardi asked if everyone is paid for the use of the pump stations.  Mr. Geremia stated he does not track the bills. 

•        Councilman Licciardi asked what happens when someone doesn’t pay their tax bill.  Council President Gosselin replied you have to pay penalty and interest and after a year or so it would go to tax sale.

•        Councilman Licciardi stated there’s got to be a follow up if the bills aren’t getting paid.  Mr. Geremia replied if a bill doesn’t get paid it follows the same procedure as any other unpaid tax bill.  He and his staff follow up on the O&M Manuals and that’s what they’ve been working on through consent agreements with most of the facilities.

•        Council Vice President Williamson explained that there is a cost associated with putting together these O&M manuals because an engineer would need to be hired.  She assumes this is part of the issue.

 

G-3:  Financial Report

 

•        Year-to-Date Operating and Debt Expenses for Fiscal Year 2022 as of January 31st totaled $5,742,273 which is 60% of the annual budget. 

•        Fiscal Year 2022 Sewer Usage collections through January 31st totaled $5,126,346 which is 79% of the total billed.

•        Fiscal Year 2022 Sewer Assessment collections through January 31st totaled $228,809 which is 103% of the total billed. Of the total collected, $1,245 represents interest.

•        Cash and Investments through January 31st totaled $3,240,662*.  *Waiting for January statement from Centerville Bank.  Cash and Investments includes Centerville Bank balance of $2,853,521.06 as of 12/31/21*. 

•        Councilman Licciardi asked about the budget and the Admin. fees.  Finance Director Benoit stated she and Mr. Knott will be meeting to go over all of the department’s budgets then they will set up a meeting with Mr. Chapdelaine and Mr. Corrente.

 

 

H.        Resolutions

 

SC2022-05:  Change Order No. 2 – Headworks Boiler Repair 

 

RESOLVED per recommendation of the Superintendent of Sewers that the Town Council President acting as Sewer Commission Chairman be authorized to sign the attached Change Order No. 2 with Automatic Temperature Controls, Inc. d/b/a C.H.A.C. of Cranston, Rhode Island (Rhode Island State MPA) in the amount not to exceed Seven thousand, eight hundred, fifty-three dollars and zero cents. ($7,853.00) of which Three thousand, six hundred and forty dollars and zero cents ($3,640.00) to be funded by the American Rescue Plan Funds.

 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Council President acting as Sewer Commission Chairman be authorized to sign any related contracts upon review and approval of the Town Solicitor and the Administration.

 

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

 

·Mr. Chapdelaine stated during the initial repair of two sections of the boiler, they realized they needed to replace more sections so we decided to replace the whole unit.  The cost comes to just over $39,000 for the total repair.  In the Capital budget we put in for two boilers.  One was a repair and one was a replacement.  The replacement was $43,000.  Because the one being repaired needed replacement of all six sections and other parts that weren’t up to code, the cost increased approximately $5,200.  We are looking to have the overage of $$3,640 come out of the American Rescue Funds.

 

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

 

 

SC2022-06:  Change Order No. 3 – Solids Handling Facility Upgrades (Contract No. 2020-04) 

 

RESOLVED, per recommendation of the Superintendent of Sewers and James J. Geremia & Associates, Inc., that the Town Council President as Sewer Commission Chairman be authorized to sign the attached Change Order No. 3 (Contract No. 2020-04) with Hart Engineering Corporation of Cumberland, Rhode Island in the amount not to exceed seventeen thousand, five hundred thirty-nine dollars and zero cents ($17,539.00).

 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Council President acting as Sewer Commission Chairman be authorized to sign any related contracts upon review and approval of the Town Solicitor and the Administration.

 

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

 

·Mr. Geremia stated this was a Capital budget item for this fiscal year.  The precast columns on the Solids Handling building are falling off and need to be fixed.  Hart Engineering has been doing all of the improvements on the Solids Handling building already.  This change order is for $17,539.  The amount budgeted for this project was $31,000.  It would cost an additional $3,000 to $4,000 if we had to go out to bid for a project this small which is why we are requesting a Change Order.

 

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

 

I.          Consent Agenda

 

SC2022-07: 

 

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 Williamson and seconded by Councilman Messier. 

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

 

 

J.         Public Comment

 

•        Derrick Read of Andrews Avenue stated the pump station on Industrial is questionable and he is getting ready to build next year. He needs to know if that pump station can handle one more building.  He said if you go back in the minutes to the approval of the subdivision, pending approval one of the things was to update the pump station.  He can’t find any records stating the pump station was ever addressed prior to the subdivision being approved.  He is now ready to build and he doesn’t know if the pump station is going to backup into his building.  He’s heard nothing from the sewer department since the last episode.  He asked if it’s ready.

•        Mr. Geremia stated the pump station is functioning for what it’s intended purposes are now, we haven’t had an overflow.  We addressed that overflow condition and they provided us additional information.  With regards to Mr. Read’s application, this is a private pump station, there has to be an agreement between the owner of the pump station and Mr. Read, if he is going to tie into their station.          Mr. Read said that’s taken care of.

•        Mr. Geremia said as part of the application, we will evaluate the capacity of the pump station depending upon your flows.  We will do our due diligence once we have all the plans.

•        Mr. Read asked for the most recent inspection of that pump station.  Mr. Geremia said he will get him that.

           

K.        Adjourn

 

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Messier 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