HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-04 Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Infrastructure Committee
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Minutes
Councilors Attending: Patricia Blanchette, Geoffrey Gratwick, Richard Bronson,
Harold Wheeler, Councilor Palmer
Staff Attending: Ed Barrett, James Ring, Brad Moore, Paul Nicklas
Others Attending:
Committee convened at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Consent Agenda
1. Sewer Abatement Request: 183 Cedar Street - WWTP
Brad Moore stated the request was for plumbing problems and was the second
abatement in twelve months. Code had inspected it and it met the criteria for
abatement, therefore Staff recommended. Councilor Gratwick moved and
Councilor Wheeler seconded. Councilor Bronson expressed discomfort and
stated that businesses should expect to pay their business bills and he would
vote no. Ed Barrett explained the abatement reflected clean water that moved
through the system and the abatement was not for the full amount of water lost.
Councilor Wheeler concurred with Councilor Bronson’s valid concern, this was a
second instance and he would be voting reluctantly yes. Councilor Blanchette
would not be supportive of this, the abatement was a catchall for businesses to
make a profit and suggested tenants pick up the bill/maintenance costs. The
abatement was denied 3/2: Councilor Palmer and Councilor Gratwick voted yes.
Councilor Bronson, Councilor Wheeler, and Councilor Blanchette voted no.
Regular Agenda
2. Sewer Abatement Request: 446 Main Street – WWTP
Brad stated the abatement request was due to a sizeable leak at a building that
was torn down over the winter. The initial request was to waive the 120 day and
was denied by Brad and he requested an opportunity to talk to the Committee.
Mr. Marsh was informed of the meeting and was not present tonight. Motion
made to deny the abatement by Councilor Gratwick and seconded by Councilor
Bronson. Unanimous vote to deny the abatement.
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3. Sewer Abatement Request: 55 Grove Street - WWTP
Brad stated Mr. Sullivan had also requested the 120 day limitation be waivered.
Staff also denied his request. Mr. Sullivan requested an opportunity to address
the Committee. Mr. Sullivan stated it was his third request and stated his
tenants were not informing him over the winter of 2008. He sited financial
hardship and requested the waiver. Lynn Jones, Lincoln Street suggested he
apply for a grant through historical preservation. Councilor Blanchette suggested
this topic be taken up with Mr. Sullivan after the meeting as this was not the
topic at hand. Councilor Gratwick moved Staff’s recommendation of denial and
work with him on payments. Councilor Bronson seconded. It was unanimously
denied.
4. Stormwater Maintenance Ordinance
Paul stated the City was required to put an ordinance or similar measure in place
that would ensure long term operation and maintenance of stormwater
management structures. It must include annual reporting requirements
regarding post-construction discharges into the City’s storm sewer system,
including reports of deficiencies found and remedial action taken, and must be
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approved by the DEP. The ordinance was originally due on June 30, the City
received a 60 extension in return for implementing a stopgap ordinance to cover
the additional time. The final ordinance would help ensure maintenance of
stormwater management structures and fulfill the City’s requirements under the
MS4 permit. Owners of stormwater management structures on newly developed
or redeveloped land and of structures required by law, would be required to
inspect and maintain those structures. The ordinance was modeled after an
ordinance by the Maine Municipal Association, provided by James Katsiaficas.
There was discussion on compliance, who would need to comply, personnel to
keep the data collected and inform those properties when they did not meet
requirements. It was thought that costs could be incorporated into the
Stormwater Utility during the Planning Board process. Councilor Bronson
expressed discontent, but would support and stated the problems with
stormwater wasn’t as big as the problems with the solution. Councilor Wheeler
concurred with Councilor Bronson. Councilor Blanchette stated the federal
regulations would get worse and asked if there was a stormwater utility
proposal? Ed informed the Committee there was an initial feasibility study on
Birch Stream, a session with consulting firm and stakeholders at EMCC. There
was a grant for 70,000 to hire a consulting firm to do detailed feasibility work,
ordinance requirements, structure charges/budget. Anticipation of completion
was a year to eighteen months. A lot of community education would be
required. Councilor Blanchette stated this would go to first reading and be
referred back to this Committee.
Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Gratwick and seconded by Councilor
Wheeler at approximately 5:56 p.m.
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