HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-03 Sewer Committee Minutes Ad Hoc Committee on Sewer Systems AD HOC SEWER COMMITTEE
SEPT 3, 1996
� Councilors attending: Tim Woodcock, Don Soucy, Jim Tyler, Pat Blanchette
Staff attending: Ed Barrett, Jim Ring, Brad Moore, John Murphy
Others attending:
The meeting convened at
1. Status of Sewer Projects
Jim Ring said the largest of the separation projects, Fourteenth Street,
is well underway and has experienced no problems. The Linden Street
project, with a great deal of ledge removal involved, is also underway.
The Clyde Road project will start soon and should only take 1 1/2 months.
Upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Kenduskeag Pumping Station,
to allow primary treatment in CSO's, will be completed in late spring of
1997. A grant was previously received from the Army Corps of Engineers
for design work for underground storage tanks and that design work has
been completed. The City hopes to secure money to continue with the
project. There are two other areas, Palm Street and Otis/Fruit Street,
that are being looked at for further separation and upgrades.
• The location of the proposed storage tanks was discussed, with Jim
explaining the pros and cons of the sites, and what could be built on top
of the tanks.
2. Update - Draft NPDES Permit, State Discharge License
John Murphy recently received the draft and has been reviewing it; it is
also available for public comment. John said there are still issues to be
worked out. EPA has tentatively scheduled a meeting in Bangor for
September 10, at 10 :30 a.m. Two items of contention would impact the
operating costs of the plant considerably, according to Brad Moore. These
issues are 1) testing; and 2) sampling requirements for the CSO.
3. Discussion of Pending Changes--EPA Performance Testing
Brad Moore said that performance testing involves the wastewater treatment
laboratory, wher� samples are taken, and that the plant has always done
very well. EPA will no longer be providing the service of analyzing the
results. Brad will request that the City be allowed to "shop" for a
provider to help keep costs down, which can exceed $1400 per year.
• 4. Other Items
Councilor Woodcock asked if the current data was up to date so that sewer
rate projections could be made. It was explained that Ron Heller had
recently requested that the committee wait until the end of the month so
that FY 96 data could be fully closed out.
• Councilor Woodcock also wanted to recognize the Engineering Department,
Sewer Plant, etc. for the recent award received from EPA. He said the
City's level of credibility with EPA is probably the best in New England.
Jim Ring said that the City had worked very hard on achieving that
credibility.
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