SC Minutes

Burrillville Sewer Commission

Regular Meeting of August 9, 2016

Board Room of the BWWTF

Members Present: William A. Andrews – Chairman

                                      Richard Nolan – Vice Chairman

                                      Russell Fontaine – Secretary

                                      Raymond Trinque – Commission Member

Also Present: Timothy Kane – Attorney for the Commission

                           James J. Geremia – Consulting Engineer

                           John E. Martin III – Superintendent

                           Donald Shurtleff – Senior Operator/Lab Tech

                           Jacqueline Batalon – Financial Aide

                           Steve & Linda Perry – Owners of 2140 Bronco Highway

                           Robert Mitson – Attorney for Steve & Linda Perry

                           Scott Adler – Representative for Greenridge Development

                           Terri Barbosa – Representative from Neighbor Works, Greenridge Development

                           Angelo Raimondi – Representative for Greenridge Development

                           Wayne G. Barber – Resident

Peter Lawrence – Representative from Liberalis LLC, owner of 43-45 & 47-49 Eagle Peak                      Rd

Mr. Andrews opened the meeting at 9:01 AM.

Agenda Item – The question of accepting the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 12, 2016; and the question of dispensing with the reading of said Minutes.

Voted – Mr. Fontaine made a motion to accept the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 12, 2016 and to dispense with the reading of said Minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Trinque. All in favor, so voted.

Public Comment – None

Correspondence:

17-08-01 – Letter from Kevin Brand, Village Barn Country Store & Antiques, 953 Victory Highway, requesting to abandon grease trap for sewer connection. Grease trap is caving in.

                Plan from George Carpenter, Carpenter Bros., showing connection without grease trap.

Mr. Martin stated that he had previously approved the request as an emergency situation due to safety issues. Mr. Carpenter will provide the Burrillville Sewer Commission with a copy of the updated connection drawing. Mr. Trinque made a motion to receive and file the letter from Kevin Brand requesting to abandon the grease trap for the sewer connection at Village Barn Country Store & Antiques, 953 Victory Highway. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fontaine. All in favor, so voted.

17-08-02 – Letter from the Burrillville Weekend Snack Pack Program thanking the Commission for selecting the program to receive the SBA Tower donation.

Mr. Trinque made a motion to receive and file the letter from the Burrillville Weekend Snack Pack Program thanking the Commission for selecting the program to receive the SBA Tower donation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fontaine. All in favor, so voted.

17-08-03 – Letter from Attorney Robert Mitson, representing Steven & Linda Perry, 2140 Bronco Highway, requesting to address the Commission regarding Mr. & Mrs. Perry’s sewer connection.

Minutes of the September 9, 2008 Burrillville Sewer Commission meeting where Mr. & Mrs. Perry were granted a one year extension to connect to the sanitary sewer system.

October 29, 2010 – Notice of Failure to Connect

Mr. Mitson stated that the Perry’s were granted a one (1) year extension by the Burrillville Sewer Commission in 2008. The Perry’s failed to connect to the sanitary sewer system within the one (1) year extension. Mr. Mitson explained that the Perry’s connection would require a grinder pump and that there is a high probability of hitting ledge upon digging. Mr. Mitson assured the Commission that the ISDS in use was installed within proper guidelines in 1973 and provided certification from a registered land surveyor stating that the plans have been approved by the RI Department of Health. Mr. Mitson provided documentation from D.H. Keene stating that the septic system is in good working order. He also provided an estimate from Allard Construction in the amount of $36,500.Mr. Mitson stated that the installation would cause a financial hardship for the Perry’s. Mr. Fontaine questioned the timeline of this issue, dating back several years. Mr. Mitson stated that there have been family issues. Mr. Kane questioned whether or not legislation would require connection to the sanitary sewer system upon sale of the home. Mr. Mitson stated that legislation would require connection. Mrs. Perry stated that the previous homeowner failed to notify the Perry’s of the pending sewer system installation. Mrs. Perry stated that there is a $15,000 assessment in addition to the $36,500 estimated cost of installation, as well as a large loss in value of the home since purchase, causing a financial hardship. Mr. Mitson stated that the regulations state that an exception may be made if there is no threat to public interest. Mr. Kane stated that there are grants available to help cover the cost of connection. Mr. Fontaine made a motion to grant a six (6) month extension to the Perry’s to submit a plan to tie into the sanitary sewer system. The motion was seconded by Mr. Trinque. All in favor, so voted.

17-08-04 – Letter from Peter Lawrence, Liberalis LLC, requesting a modification to the sewer use bills for 43-45 & 47-49 Eagle Peak Road.

Mr. Lawrence requested relief from the sewer bill prior to July 14, 2016, when the water was turned on at the properties. The property was purchased by Liberalis LLC in April 2016. Mr. Trinque requested further information be obtained from Pascoag Utility District regarding the period of time during which the water service was turned off and add an agenda item for the next meeting to consider an abatement. Mr. Lawrence will furnish this information to the Superintendent. Mr. Trinque made a motion to table the request of Mr. Lawrence until the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fontaine. All in favor, so voted.

17-08-05 – Letter from Terri Barbosa, Neighbor Works Blackstone Valley, requesting a waiver of sewer fees associated with the Greenridge Development.

Ms. Barbosa requested relief from sewer connection fees associated with the Greenridge Development due to the unforeseen amount of ledge encountered upon construction, which significantly increased the cost of construction. Mr. Martin stated that the unit fee for the 75 units in construction is $56,250. There will be an additional assessment fee based upon the amount of frontage. Ms. Barbosa stated that the properties will be condominiums that will be owned by Neighbor Works. Mr. Trinque suggested that the project may be modified to fit within the confines of the budget. Ms. Barbosa stated that the Greenridge project is in collaboration with the Town of Burrillville. Mr. Fontaine stated that the BSC must cover its own operating costs. Mr. Trinque made a motion to deny the request of Neighbor Works. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fontaine. All in favor, so voted.

New Business:

Memo from John E Martin III, Superintendent, regarding vehicle replacement.

Mr. Martin explained that the 2004 Ford F350 Pickup truck is used primarily for plowing and also has a crane attached for use at the pump stations. The frame on the F350 is rotting. Mr. Trinque suggested that the BSC look into constructing a metal carport to protect the vehicles. Mr. Martin suggested that the Commission wait until funds have been received from the Greenridge and Fernwood Developments to consider purchasing a new vehicle. Mr. Trinque made a motion to table the purchase of a new vehicle until funds have been received from the Greenridge and Fernwood Developments and to look into the construction cost for a metal carport. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fontaine. All in favor, so voted.

Invoices – James J. Geremia & Assoc., Inc. Invoice #1 Sewer Tie-In/Shop Drawing Review

                     1971 Victory Highway in the amount of $113.40 – Fund 8100

Mr. Trinque made a motion to approve payment of James J. Geremia & Assoc., Inc. Invoice #1 in the amount of $113.40 from Fund 8100. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fontaine. All in favor, so voted.

Engineer’s Report:

Phosphorous/Copper Project Status Report of Construction – Minutes of Job Meeting No. 7

                                                                                                                         Minutes of Job Meeting No. 8

Mr. Geremia stated that hydrostatic testing on the tanks has been completed and passed. The construction of the wet well is currently in process. By the end of October, side #2 (furthest from the building), will be in full operation. Mr. Geremia submitted a modification to Blue Water Technologies to use powder chemical in place of the originally suggested super-sacks, which are unavailable.

Fernwood Development – As-Built drawing review.

Mr. Geremia explained that some services are drawn off of other services. The sub-division has not yet been approved by the Town of Burrillville. The sub-division must be approved prior to assessment. Mr. Adler added that the sub-division has been approved by the Town. Mr. Kane stated that the road has not yet been deeded and recorded. Mr. Fontaine made a motion to accept the Engineer’s Report. The motion was seconded by Mr. Trinque. All in favor, so voted.

Attorney’s Report:

Status of properties not connected to the sanitary sewer system.

Mr. Kane stated that the properties located at 975 Douglas Turnpike and 1971 Victory Highway have now connected to the sanitary sewer system.

Status of 864 Douglas Turnpike property connected without the Contractor pulling permit.

Mr. Kane stated that a letter has been sent to the owners of 864 Douglas Turnpike to notify them that their sewer connection must be brought into compliance with the Burrillville Sewer Commission Rules & Regulations, per the BSC. Mr. Trinque made a motion to accept the Attorney’s Report. The motion was seconded by Mr. Nolan. All in favor, so voted.

Superintendent’s Report:

Report for the month of July, 2016

Financial Report

Mr. Fontaine made a motion to accept the Superintendent’s Report as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Andrews. All in favor, so voted.

Sewer Use/Sewer Assessment Write-Offs – None

Adjournment – Mr. Trinque made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Fontaine. All in favor, so voted.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jacqueline Batalon

Financial Aide