HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-08 Sewer Committee MinutesSewer Commdtwo
Meeting Minutes
April 8, 1998
Councilors Attending:
Jim Tyler, Nichi Farnham, Tim Woodcock
SonyAmevding.
Jim Ring, John Murphy, Brad Moore
Others Attending:
Mrs, Bence MacGregor
Meeting common at 4:07 p.m.
This is a request for an abaternent cntwo bladers that were installed at the end of
November 1997. The Committee has considered a similar request and granted the
abatement. The abatement, ifapproved, would be $4,111,02. Brad hloore cxncurs with
this figure. Approved.
g��1R7Li...
Mr. Weatherbee owns the apartment building located at 25-29 Nigh Street, Mr.
Weathedste was rwt notified by the twain of lashing toilet however when he received
his bill, he checked the property and fired the leak. This request Sts the criteria
established in the City numerate and Brad recommends grarning the abatement. W
Wanted, the abatement would be in the amount of $667.65. Approved.
This issue was discussed at the last Comminute meeting where the Committee voted to
refund sewer charges for the past six years. There is our a provision for refunds under
these circumstances. The City's legal staff recommended going back six years because
that is the store statute of limitations. The MacGregors purchased the property in 1989
and have been paying sewer fees since then. Mr. and Mra MacGregor connected staff to
request a refund for aH that they have paid since 1989. Mrs. MacGregor explained that
when they purchased the property, the real cute agent indicated m the MacGreBor's that
the property was hooked to City water and sewer. They never found out that the property
wasn't on City sewer until the new property owner had trouble with the scene system.
Mrs. MacGregor understands the statute oflimitationa however she feels that the
information is well dowmented that they paid for City sewer and would Me a refund for
the entire amount paid from 1989. Brad clarified that going back sin years went to
3/27/92 and this amount has already been reimbursed. If the refund is gamed and the
consideration of assessing by normal chwmvtances the $5.00 per quarter for sewer
availabilitythat would be the difference in the figures. From gaff standpoint, given the
name of the unusual c'vwmatances, ifthe Committee wants to consider doing the refund,
gaff agrees. The Committee approves refunding the entire amount and not charging the
$5,00 per quarter sewer availability fee.
This order would accept a amen sawn of the existing private sewer in the Evergreen
Woods Complex off Mt. }tope Aware, This action has been requested by Raymond Cote
of Webber Energy to facilitate a future public sewer extension which would serve a large
development parcel. Stuffinapwted the section and detemdned it is in excellent condition
and was wmWcled to City standards. Acceptance is recommended. Approved
recommendation to the full Council.
John Murphy attended the annual Congressional Briefing on March 24 and 25, sponsored
by the New England Water Environment Assaciation(NEWEA). This brisling is an
opportunity to visit with Comgrxssrrmm and Summers on a formal basis and bring to then
attention concerns related to environmental issues. The CSO was emphasized &a year
due to the push by the CSO Partnership to enact legislation which will make the CSO
Ponry m part oflhe clean water cot This wnl also provide a certain amount offimdivg
for CSO communities to address the CSO she== projects which ere very expensive.
Another issue was the Stormwntm Phase H whichwould affect the City of Bangor. Staff
has been working with the CSO Partnership to figure am how beat to reduce the burden
on CSO communities. An exemption has been proposed from Stormwmer U issues for
thou communities that are addressing the CSO control issues. John provided the
Committee with a more detailed report on this Congressional briefing.
MEEN"s itR[9RiSi
Jim Ring updated the Commerce on calls that Brad has received about possible
abatements for water loss due to the ice storm. Staff will be meeting with Legal to
discuss drafting en ordinance change. Brad explained that the information received from
FEMA was then in order for them to give relief for abatements, the City would have to
come up with an ordivence that would avow it. The City would Stant the Agreement to
the hommwnm and FEMAwould reimburse the City Bradhasasked Ran Hellerto
chmkwitb FEMAtosmwhathewt-offdawisforthis. Councilor Woodcock
suggested staff check with FEMA to see what the reimhorsemmt mechanism will look like
and what their notice requirements are. John Murphy asked Brad ifrmmds show any
appreciable change in Over for that period of time during the ice stmm. Brad explained
that he hadn't looked, bee will check. Councilor Woodcock felt that it may be enough for
MNUt at this point to say then there is an ordinance being worked on and what is the
notice process as to individual claims. Brad asked what criteria should this be measured
by? Staff will look at this issue before the neiameeting and come up with a suggestion.
Councilor Tyler suggened when looking back at this historic data to find away to
calculate what the impact might be.
With no fiuther business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 4:41 p.m.