WEST WARWICK SEWER USE APPEALS BOARD
DATE & TIME: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2023 - 4:00 PM
LOCATION: WEST WARWICK REGIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
1 PONTIAC AVENUE
WEST WARWICK, RI 02893
MEETING MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT:
David Gaipo, Chairperson
Dave Perrotta, Board Member
ALSO, PRESENT:
Jeff Chapdelaine, Superintendent
Tony Corrente, Director of Administration
Tina Harris, Sewer Commission Clerk
1. 2023-02
Donald N. Smith
24 Douglas Street
West Warwick, RI 02893
Plat 002 – Lot 0470
• Mr. Gaipo let Mr. Smith know that he had read his appeal and as far as he can understand that he is looking for relief on his sewer use fee and he feels as though his is being double charged. Mr. Smith agreed and said he owns a duplexes and he pays for the water and the sewer, he has one pipe for the sewer going out to the street, and asked the questions if it’s a public utility shouldn’t they be charging what he uses and not be times two (2) because it’s a duplexes. Mr. Corrente read the ordinance that pertains to one pipe coming out of a two (2) family home to Mr. Smith. Mr. Gaipo explained they can not go against a Town ordinance. Mr. Smith asked when and who approved this ordinance. Mr. Corrente explained it had been passed before the superintendent and himself were employed at the Town, and that has been a few years now. Mr. Gaipo then asked Mr. Corrente what the next course of action Mr. Smith can do to look into who approved this ordinance. Mr. Corrente explained to Mr. Smith that he could go to the Town Hall and request a Public records request so it can be on record and we can go back and research when the Town Council passed it.
• A motion was made by Mr. Gaipo to deny the appeal and was seconds by Mr. Perrotta.
• Mrs. Harris went to see if Mr. Cetrano was in the building, as of this time he was not so we continued with the meeting.
• No old business
• Motion to approve the 2024 Sewer Use Appeals Board of Review Meeting Dates was made by Mr. Gaipo and seconded by Mr. Perrotta
• Mr. Gaipo agreed to take a five-minute recess while we wait for Mr. Cetrano.
• Mrs. Harris put the meeting back in session.
2. 2303-01
Jason Cetrano
14 Flanders Drive
West Warwick, RIN 02893
Plat 011 – Lot 0436
• Mr. Cetrano was not present for the meeting. Mr. Gaipo continued to move forward with the Appeal request made by him. After review the information he explained that the arrogation system stayed on creating a giant water bill from Kent County water $1200.00 and he is looking for relief of his sewer bill. Mr. Gaipo recommendation would be to grant him some relief on this one-time incident, there is no history of this home owner using this amount of water usage before. Mr. Gaipo asked Mr. Corrente how they would go about charging a normal fee and if we have the ability to go back the last (3) three years and average his use. Mr. Corrente said they could go back a (3) three years, he took a minute to figure the numbers out. Mr. Corrente came back with an average consumption 8151 CF and that would put their annual sewer bill for this year at $379.04 plus the $120.00 Debt Service fee making a total bill of $499.04 if approved. Mr. Gaipo moved to approve and Mr. Perrotta second the motion. Mr. Corrente said he would draft the abatement request and add it to the council agenda when they meet with them in November for the final approval.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 4:26 p.m. by Mr. Gaipo and seconded by Mr. Pettotta
Please refer to audio for detailed information on this meeting.