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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-20 Sewer Committee Minutes Sewer Committee Meeting Minutes � January 20, 1999 Councilors Attending: Pat Blanchette,Nchi Farnham Staff Attending: Edward Barrett, Jim Ring, Brad Moore Others Attending: Terry Cassidy(citizen), Irwin Singer(citizen) Meeting convened at 4:03 p.m. 1. Sewer Abatement Request— 187 Center Street Brad explained that Mr. Cassidy is the owner of a 5-unit apartment building on Center Street. The Water District notified Mr. Cassidy of a huge increase in water consumption. After inspecting the building, Mr. Cassidy found a number of toilets that were malfunctioning. He has since made the repairs. The request meets the criteria for abatement. The amount, if granted, would be $596.54. Approved. 2. Sewer Abatement Request—585 Broadway � Brad explained that this was due to a toilet leaking in a part of the building that was unoccupied. There was a bleeder installed by the Water District because of water quality. As a result of the bleeder, the Water District estimated past water usage and charged an estimated bill. When Mr. Singer purchased the building, the Water District required a submeter so the bill would no longer be estimated. The first bill indicated there were problems. Because the building is vacant, the Water District shut off the water to that toilet. In the future, Mr. Singer will be repairing the toilet, but at this time, it is still vacant. Mr. Singer pointed out that the building had been occupied up until appro�mately 1 '/z years ago. He let a group use that part of the building for a rummage sale and it appears the toilet was left running and no one had checked on the building. Mr. Singer has someone checking on the building now. Approved. 3. Update—Staff Activities • Brad updated the Committee on the ongoing mercury issue. He indicated that the DEP has made available the results of the first sampling. Brad went over some of the points of the report. Brad indicated that Bangor is removing 96% of the mercury that comes into the plant. One of the problems with the DEP is that they are trying to develop a numerical standard but are not basing it on good science but on the small sampling of waters and their interpretation of � what background levels are. Staff doesn't feel this is consistent with the intent ,� of the original language of the law. Staff will be attending the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources. Brad is involved with the Mercury Task Force for the Maine Wastewater Control Association, and the DEP has asked for their comments. The graup has asked Brad to put together written camrnents, and he will be attending the public hearing. Councilor Blanchette asked what staff envisions coming out of this if the legislature decides to react � again? Brad answered that in worst case scenario, the City would get a numeric limit an the ticense that can not be met. Tc� meet the limit, costly treatment wauld be needed. Staff will continue to update the Committee on this issue. • Brad spolce with both Hermon and Hampden regarding the pump statians cantracts. They both would prefer ta have a five year agreement with "convenience" clauses, which allow staf� to gc� back to the agreement if conditions change. Norm Heitmann is working on that now and is also including the Gost of Iiving increase every year. • Jim Ring commented that with a11 the rain recently, there have been no majar problems. With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjaurned at 4:40 p.m. � � - 2 / �,__�