HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-19 Sewer Committee Minutes Ad Hoc Committee on Sewer Systems �
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Minutes of the December 19� 1994
Meetin.g of the Ad Hoc Sewer Commi..ttee
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Committee Members Present: Cauncilors Frankel {Chair) , Baldacci,
Popper
Council Memhers Present: Ty1er
Staff Present: Ed Barrett, Jim Ring, Bruce �hibles,
Ra1ph Mishou, John Murphy, Brad
Moore, Al Jellison
Meeting s�arted a�. 6 : 05 p.m.
1 . Comnost Facility Utpdate
Commit�ee was presented with the results of staff
discussion� with representatives af the DEP and EPA cancernzng
compost facility permitting and grant parameters respecti.vely.
Pra.znary question remaa.ns -- I� constructic�n af a compost facility,
util.iai.ng a 55� federal grant, the ma�t ecanomical long-term optian
to address the City' s sludge disposal needs?
Staff reviewed some o� the fi.ndings of the CH2M-Hiil Sludge
Disposal Options Study. Tt was noted that capital costs used in
the study were prabably high anci tha� the current contract disposal
� pri.ce is lower than the one u�ed in the study. Staff have a�ked
CH2M-H5.11 far mare information, and at the same time staff are
conducting fur�Gher analysis of the impact on sewer rates should the
City decide ta con�truct a facility.
The Committee was informed that preliminary �ite
invest�.gation is ongoing because of the need to act quickly in
light of the gran�G requiremen�s and DEP perma.tting procedures
_ (including possible r�gulatory change� that would involve more
= stringent requirements with passible added cqsts to the facility) .
- The Committee was briefed on �.he need for Council orders
 author.izing application far the EPA grant, acceptance of the EPA
grant and designating the source of the local share for the
project, a31 0� whzch will need ta be accompl.ished prior to
submitting the gran� paperwork to the EPA for approval .
Once the results of the financial analysi.s are complete,
the Committee requested that staff return with recommendations for
full Council action. Staff was also asked to coritinue studying all
avenues for the economical di�posal of sludge generated by the
treatment plant.
2. Qvervi�w of Stormwater Ut.ilitv
A preliminary discussion, in preparation for the full
� Council workshop an the 2Sst, was held cancerning the poten�Gial
estab].ishm�nt of a separa�e starmwater utility fax the City. The
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� potential benefits of such a utility would be a more equitable
allocation of the costs of treating stormwater flows within the
City' s sewer system.
Councilor Popper asked a number of questions concerning the
details of such a utility, which properties would be most affected,
potential impacts on rates, and the differences between phased
implementation or instan�aneous implementation. Councilor Tyler
noted that cost of service is the only equitable way to set rates .
It was noted by staff that the current sewer rates assume
that every user contributes equally to stormwater flow, but the
reality is that properties with large impervious surfaces (parking
lots, roofs, etc. ) contribute much more stormwater to the system
than do single family residential properties . Any stormwater
utility would likely be based on an Equivalent Residential Unit
(ERU) . The ERU would result in a charge based on the cost to treat
stormwater flowing from a typical single family residence. Charges
for other properties would be tied to the number of ERUs for those
properties .
Most residential users, and high water use/low impervious
surface commercial users would likely see their overall bill for
sewer-related services decreased. Incentives would be built into
the system aimed at reducing stormwater flows to the system.
� The Committee was receptive to exploring this avenue in
more detail . More discussions are likely after the Workshop and
they agreed that public hearings and other public information
avenues should be utilized extensively if a stormwater utility is
to be implemented.
3. Executive Session
vote to go in at approximately 6 :55 p.m. ; vote to go out at
approximately 7 : 15 p.m. Discussions of status and legal issues of
interlocal agreement negotiations with Hampden and Hermon.
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