Sewer discussion
The NHR ran a really good article on Monday. It describes the nature of what is happening with the proposed "sewer consultant."
Among the issues facing the Authority is an increase in major operating expenses associated with operation of the town’s waste water treatment plant on Cheshire Street. Electric costs and expenditures on the purchase of methanol have increased after the new denitrification unit at the plant came on line early in 2006; uncertainty over future availability of money from the state Clean Water Fund to help defray the costs of future capital improvements to the wastewater treatment system; and efforts to convert from a flat fee payment system for ratepayers to one based on the level of water consumption. (by Luther Turmelle)And there are other things, but just wanted to draw your attention here to at least begin a dialogue.
Separately, Watertown is undergoing some similar issues with their sewers (WRA, by Jonathan Shugarts).
Finally, I just wanted to mention... there are lots of questions that are being raised about the sewers. And ultimately, many of those questions will likely be answered by the WPCA... not the Council. Nonetheless, asking the questions and having a public dialogue is always worthwhile (regardless of the answers). And much of the credit for beginning this discussion should go to Elizabeth Esty. She's put in a lot of hours and almost certainly had to push hard to get to this point.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
5 comments:
Dirty topic. What happens with the P&Z recommendations that the new North End proposal be connected to the town system? Will they pay or take the alternative route which they proposed (their own septic system)? Are we being steered into what they want? If their system fails, will we all have to bring "People Bags" when we go shopping ?
The council should have watched what was going on at wpca for the last twenty years. We might not be in this position. Why was the oversight so weak. Why now do we hear about the problems. Why was this not brought to the public until a year ago?
The issue that needs to be fixed is the I&I problem; Inflow and infiltration. Why does so much of the rain water enter the system? and why did it take all these years to admit to the public there was and is a a problem? It will cost less to fix the I&I then to add to the sewer capacity. If the the P&Z says sewers for the Northend then the developer has to pay for all of the upgrades tot he system. Once it is built, we the taxpayer get to pay the annual operating costs. Just like everything else on the Northend project, if the infrastructure requires upgrading the develop pays to put it in, after that it is all on the taxpayers nickel.
Why has it taken so long to get to this point. Who should have been yelling? I know Esty goes to every meeting and the problem predates her, who was it before her?
Do we really need an expansion to build the North End? Is that worth it? Was to plant kept small to avoid development?
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