HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-10-06 Sewer Committee Minutes Sewer Committee
Meetir�g Minutes
� October 6, 1999
Councilors Attending: Nichi Farnham, Pat Blanchette
Staff Attending: Jim Ring, John Murphy, Brad Moore, Ed Barrett
Meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m.
1. Amendment ta Biosolids Dis�osal Agreement
Sawxer Environmental
The purpose of this amendment is to shift the location and method of disposal
for the City's biasal�ds {sludge generated at the treatment plant}. Rather than
delivering these materials to Hampden, the proposal is to transport the material
ta Unity far campasting. This change is necessar}r becau�e the Hampden landfill
is currently running out of space.
The City has negotiated this change in such a way as to maintain the same cost
level as is currentiy in effect. tJverall, the disposal costs w�N be $48 per tan
alang with the cost to transport �he material. While this is somewhat higher than
� at present, we are facing an increase in state dispasal fees far sludge from $2 to
$5 per ton. This brings the costs of two options into line since the state fee only
applies to landfiiling and nofi compasting. S�nce Unity is farther from our faciiity,
Sawyer has also offered to purchase a new and larger vehicle for the City to use
in this operation. With a larger unit, transport costs will remain approximately
the same.
Under the origina! contrac� with Sawyer, alternate facilities are acceptable to the
City sa long as they are provided at the same price. After aur analysis, we
believe that this proposal meets the intent of the cantract.
Councilor Farnham asked if there was a problem for the City to take the vehicle
to the vendor for routine maintenance. Brad Moore respanded that this shouid
not be a problem because the truck is brand new. It is reasonable to take the
vehicle to the vendor during the warranty period. Councilor Bianchette asked
what the deductible is for insurar�ce purposes? �im Ring indicated that insurance
costs are approximately $200 per year for full caverage and that this cost will be
passed on to Sawyer.
Since this is an information item and the praposal appears to be consistent with
the intent of the contract, no further action is required unless the Committee has
� ar�y concerns ar objecti�ns.
2. Proposai: Instail Out Flow Meter, Gariand Street Laundrx
� Material ta be provided at the meeting - B. Moore
Brad was contacted by Tom Amera, the new owner qf the Garland Street
�aundry, about installing an autflow meter. There �s a provis�on in the sewer
ordinance to provide an abatement where there is direct measurement af
processed water and what gaes into the pipe. Brad explair�ed that there is a
problem with Mr. Amero's schematic in that he didn't include all the water that is
leaving the building. He agreed to give an alternat� plan to Brad. Mr. Amero is
still looking at a couple of avenues trying to find out what the best system is. He
is proposing to install flow-measuring equipment that has a reasanable aceuracy.
Brad explained that one af the commercial laundries that currently has one
installed showed on average that 30°l0 of the water does not leave the facility. It
gaes aut in steam or in the clothes. Approved subject to meeting technical
requirements.
3. Update: Staff Activities
♦ 7im explained that the Senate Committee hearing has been scheduled to
review the Senate version of the Combined Sewer OverFlow Partnership Act.
It was thought that staff would be able ta at�end in person to present
testimony in support of this. Nowever, due ta a heavy agenda, they will only
� allow one individual to speak from the state of the primary sponsar. Staff did
send a letter outlining the City's suppart. They emphasized the impact an
Bangor.
♦ John Murphy shared let�ers he received after attending the "Invi�ed Experts"
EPA meeting in Washington. One was a thank yau letter from EPA for John`s
participation. The other letter was a complimentary letter fram another
Committee member.
♦ The Center Street Project has been complaint free unti! recently. Last week a
water main broke. The water main between points a and b did not run a
straight course and was laid over into the sewer trench. It was a brief
outage, and only two calis were received. Three people called indicating that
they had same blasting damage. Jim has not yet reviewed the field data and
will update the Cammit�ee when he has. The owner of the Lemon Tree
complained of loss of business. Jim is going to check the signs surrounding
the project and will get back to the owner.
With nothing further to discuss, the meeting adjaurned at 4:38 p.m.
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