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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-10 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER, SEWER AND STORM WATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES - August 10, 2005 A meeting of the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee (WSSWMAC) was held at 7:40 PM on Wednesday, August 10, 2005, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. In attendance were Chairman Stephen Crook, Secretary John Wood, Committee member Richard Moore, associate member Gail Wood, Town Engineer Joe Delaney, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Dave Tuttle, and representatives from Fay, Spofford & Thorndike (FST) consulting engineers Steve Chapman, Gary Hebert, Diane, and Meredith Zona. I-93 Risk Assessment Joe Delaney reviewed the process and purpose of the study. Steve Chapman introduced the staff and function of each. Gary Hebert reviewed the traffic/accident history of comparable areas to the I-93 site. He indicated that the majority of spills were 50 gallons or less between 1987 and 2005. He would expect two hazardous material spills every ten years and a 2.6% chance that any of those would be 300 gallons or more. Diane reviewed the drainage area along Interstate 95 and the Ipswich River. Steve Chapman reviewed the alternatives that Fay, Spofford & Thorndike identified Alternative #1 - Detention area upland and south of the spill site. It is below the elevation of the wetland and would generally have water in it all year. The cost is estimated to be $450,000. Although the area would contain a 10,000 spill plus a `/2" rainstorm, it would require a land taking by the Town of Reading. Alternative #2A - This would be a detention basin along the toe of the slop of I-93 with an impervious liner and stone bleeders along the basin. It would require major reconstruction of the highway embankment and is estimated to cost $350,000. Alternative #2B - There would be no stone bleeders and the discharge would be directly to the river. An advantage to this alternative is that it would be able to contain 10,000 gallon spill plus a 1" storm. There would be hydrocarbon sensors at the discharge pipe to the river and the estimated cost would be. $350,000. Alternative #3A - This would be a closed containment at each catch basin outlet and could handle a 10,000 gallon spill and a %2" rainstorm. Alternative #3B - This would consist of a tank with two gates. One would be for the tank, and the other would be for discharge into the adjacent area. The estimated cost would be $650,000, the most expensive of all alternatives. Alternative #4A - This would be a 48" diameter pipe along the embankment which would be able to hold 10,000 spill and %2" rainstorm. There would be multiple outlets at each catch basin and the cost is estimated to be $400,000 Alternative #4B - This would also be a 48" pipe with one outlet at the river. This option would result in untreated discharge to the river. The estimated cost is $350,000. Minutes - WSACAugust 10, 2005 Page 1 of 3 Alternative #SA - This would be a stormceptor system which could meet the 10,000 gallon requirement. This would be difficult to maintain and the assumption is that MA Highway would not want to maintain the system or take responsibility for the proper operation of this or any other system. The estimated cost of this alternative is $300,000. Joe indicated that MA DPW would prefer if there were one discharge. Although he has not had detailed discussions with Conservation Administrator, Fran Fink he feels that she would rather see more treated discharge points and hydrocarbon sensors. He indicated that it may make sense to install solar power units for the sensors. There is some short term alternatives that can be investigated. These would include system maintenance by MA Highway, installation of catch basin hoods, localized plunge pools at every out fall, guard rail and berm along I-93 to replace the section removed during the spill cleanup and absorbent pads and brooms incase of a spill. Midterm alternatives would include stormceptors at each out fall location. This would be a 6' diameter structure at a cost of $8,000 per each plus $3,000 per sensor for a total of $25,000 per site. This system would only be able to handle small spills. Steve Chapman indicated that the 1999 spill was equal to a 250 300 year event. He indicated that the roadway is up to current standards. In regard to the railway system, he indicated that events tend to happen in rail yards and junctions, not on straight-aways as we have in this area. Joe indicated that the next step would be to recommend alternatives, which can be discussed at the next WSSWMAC meeting, meet with MA Highway Department and the Town of Wilmington. Finally a recommendation should be made to the Board of Selectmen. Storm Water Management Program Joe reviewed his draft of "Report to the Board of Selectmen on the development of a Storm Water Enterprise Fund". Joe indicated that the Committee needs to finalize their recommendation on 2 and 3 family homes, which he has provided information for the Committee. He recommended including 2 family with assessment methodology of 1 family and 3 family be included in the methodology of multi-family dwellings. He indicated that the meeting with the Board of Selectmen is scheduled for August 23, 2005. It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by John Wood and approved by a vote of 3-0 to include 1 family and 2 family on a flat rate assessment basis and that 3 family be included into the assessment methodology of multi-family dwellings. Joe will speak with Kim Honetschlager and Dave Billard to discuss what information we have on condominiums and apartment complexes. Joe will finalize the document. Gail recommended reviewing the assessment process with the Department of Revenue and work with Town Accountant Richard Foley on that process. Water/Sewer Issues Water Restrictions - The Board of Selectmen has voted to institute water restrictions which would allow handheld only devises from 6 AM to 8AM and 6PM to 8PM, on an odd/even basis. They instructed that the DPW to install a sandwich board on the Common outlining these regulations, inserting the information in the water and sewer bills and to communicate with the public through newspapers, cable TV, and the Towns website. Minutes - WSAC August 10, 2005 Page 2 of 3 MWRA - In regards to the membership of the Town of Reading to the MWRA waterworks system, the House, Senate and Governor's office has signed a bill which would allow Reading to become a member. The next step is approval from the MWRA Advisory Board and the MWRA Board of Directors. Water Treatment Plant - A presentation was made to the Board of Selectmen on August 9, 2005. Staff will meet with natural heritage regarding the alternative sites. The Board of Selectmen has scheduled a site visit for Saturday, September 10, 2005. Water Mains - The Franklin Street water main has been completed. It was moved by John Wood, seconded by Richard Moore and approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn he meeting at 11:16 PM Minutes - WSAC August 10, 2005 Page 3 of 3