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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-11-18 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES November 18, 1998 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:35P.M. on j Wednesday, November 18, 1998 in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16iL.we1 Reading, Ma. In attendance were Chairman Gail Wood, Secretary Stewart Chipman, Selectmen Liaison Camille Anthony, Finance Committee Liaison Neil Cohen, and DPW Director Ted McIntire. Meeting Minutes Approval of the minutes of October 21, 1998 and November 9, 1998 were postponed to the next Water & Sewer Advisory Committee meeting. Reading Business Park Ms. Anthony was concerned with the projected water and sewer usage for each development of the business park. Ted McIntire will speak to Assistant Town Manager Russell Dean and review the figures submitted by the Developers. Discussion ensued regarding the sewer system surcharges that have occurred in the Eaton Street/Pleasant Street area. Ted McIntire explained that the surcharges occur during rain events and is mostly the result of illegal discharge of rain water from cellars through direct connections of sump pumps into a sewer service or moving a clean out cap of the sewer service in the cellar. This is a system wide problem and the effects are the surcharging of the sewer system in the area of Pleasant Street and Eaton Street. As a result of the down stream sewer pipes inability to handle the additional storm water flows. One area of concern is a sewer main interceptor that runs from Walkers Brook Drive, underneath the railroad tracks, through DPW property and ultimately to Ash Street. The section of main is out of the original sewer system constructed in the Town in the early 1900's. Its constructed of three foot length clay tile pipe and has experienced settlement and other damage causing groundwater infiltration into the system. It is expected that this is another major factor in the inability of the sewer system to handle the peak flows during a rain event. The Town of Reading has hired the engineering firm of Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. to design a main sewer line along Walkers Brook Drive to another sewer main interceptor which is adjacent to the Texaco Station at Walkers Brook Drive and Route 128. This would divert the flow to an interceptor that was constructed in the 1970's. The sewer services north of the railroad tracks which would include Damco Corporation, Boston Stove Foundry and TASC be tied into the new sewer main along Walkers Brook Drive. The facilities south of the railroad tracks which would include Pond Meadow Drive, the DPW Facility and Fraen Corporation would be tied into a new sewer main to Ash Street. Water/Sewer Capital The Committee reviewed the Capital Improvement Program for Water and Sewer for FY2000-FY2009. There were no recommended changes to the programs as submitted to the Town Manager. Walkers Brook Sewer Ted McIntire reviewed the options associated with the replacement of the existing main sewer interceptor from Walkers Brook Drive to Ash Street. North of railroad tracks: the two options reflected the abandonment of the existing main interceptor and the construction of a new sewer interceptor along Walkers Brook Drive from the Boston Stove Foundry easterly"to the existing sewer interceptor adjacent to the Texaco Station near Route 128 South of the railroad tracks: there were six options proposed, the preferred option being replacement of the existing 24" clay tile pipe with a new 12" diameter pipe. Ascending Block Rates It was noted that two to three years ago the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee presented an ascending block rate structure to the Board of Selectmen, which they did not approve. Camille Anthony will bring the issue to the Board of Selectmen as to whether they wish the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee to propose rates based on an ascending rate structure. Bedrock Well Site Visit The site visit has tentatively been scheduled for December 5, 1998. Stewart Chipman and Camille Anthony indicated that they would be available for the site visit. Gail Wood is not available that day. Water Storage Tank Siting Study Discussion of this item will be included in the January 1999 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee meeting. Education Camille Anthony feels that this Committee does not do enough education regarding water conservation. Gail Wood indicated that, with the addition of Associate Members, the issue probably be addressed. It was moved by Gail Wood, seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 2- 0 to adjourn the meeting at 9:21PM..