HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-06-13 Sewer Committee Minutes Ad Hoc Committee on Sewer Systems Ad Hoc Sewer System Committee
June 13, 1994
� Minutes
Council Members Present: James Tyler, Don Soucy ( for
William Shubert)
Staff Present: Edward Barrett, Jim Ring, Ralph Mishou,
Al Jellison, Bruce N. Shibles
Meeting was called to order at 7 : 30 a.m.
1 . Sewer Ordinance
Council Ordinance 94-274 was reviewed by the Committee. Staff
presented the reasons for clarifying the definitions of "excessive
loading" and "normal domestic sewage" by including concentrations
of oil and grease, of whatever origin, within those definitions .
One reason discussed involved the recent cleaning of the K-Mart
Pump Station in the mall area which resulted in 2 1/2 tons of oil
and grease being removed. Since the presence of oil and grease
adds to the 0&M costs of the WWTP, this Ordinance change was
recommended. Other changes suggested in 94-274 clarified that oil
and grease can originate from more than one source.
The Committee recommended passage of C.O. 94-274 by a vote of 2-0 .
• 2 . Pretreatment Fees
Council Order 94-286 was reviewed by the Committee. Staff
explained that EPA regulations require that the Pretreatment
Program be administered in a manner that allows for recovery of the
costs of the Program. When the Council last amended the 5ewer
Ordinance, it authorized the establishment of certain user fees by
Council Order. The fees proposed were developed by WWTP staff
after a review of first year operating costs, and an estimate of
next year' s budget. The fees were designed to not be unduly
burdensome, yet at the same time be fairly related to the City' s
costs . These fees could be changed in the future if actual WWTP
costs fluctuate.
A question was raised about what the phrase "excess flows" meant.
Because the intent of that fee was to recover actual pumping costs,
it was recommended that the term excess be deleted. Because
renewal permits were currently being processed, the Order had to be
acted upon at the June 13th Council Meeting. The Committee
recommended that the Order be amended to remove "excess" from #5
and as amended recommended Council approval by a vote of 2-0 .
3 . Sewer Rate Studv
� Jim Ring presented the result of the draft Sewer Rate Study, with
particular reference to the creation of a stormwater utility
charge. CH2M-Hill has recommended establishment of such a charge
to more fairly allocate the costs of Bangor's wastewater treatment
costs . This would result in the sewer bill being divided to
� allocate treatment costs for sanitary sewage and stormwater
charges . The stormwater rate would be based on the amount of
impervious surface a site contained. The charge would be based on
an equivalent residential unit (ERU) which will be developed after
an analysis of average impervious surfaces found on residential
lots in the City. This type of utility charge is quite common in
the west and south, but Bangor would be possibly the first in the
northeast to establish such a utility.
A question was raised as to the impact on ratepayers . Jim
explained that average residential users could see a quarter to
third reduction of their bills while some commercial/industrial
users would see increases . On the other hand, a large commercial/
industrial user could take steps to construct various stormwater
detention or reduction structures or engineered designs to qualify
for an exemption or reduction in the ERU of a site.
The draft report also recommends a surcharge for connected roof
drains . The way to implemen� such a charge will have to be
developed. After some specific questions were raised by Councilor
Tyler concerning various recommendations in the executive summary,
the Committee accepted staff's recommendation that the entire Sewer
Rate Study be reviewed in a full Council Workshop. This Workshop
will likely take place in late July or early August.
4 . Sewer User Rates
� Ed Barrett briefed the Committee on the next round of sewer rate
increases . These will be 7 .5� over six months, a reduction from
past increases of 10� and they will be phased in over the summer.
5 . Executive Session
Hampden/Hermon Negotiations . The Committee was briefed on the
current status of these negotiations .
Adjourned at 8:15 a.m.
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