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Hingham Sewer Commission
Meeting of Sewer Commissioners

 

Hingham Sewer Commission
Meeting of Sewer Commissioners
Thursday, October 9, 2008

Attending: Chairman Michael Salerno, Ed Demko, Andrew Spath, David Polcari (CDM), Jim Dow, Kate Lathrop, Joanne Carpenter, Marie Rundo (Ship St. resident)

Called to order at 8:08 a.m.

Minutes from 9/10/08 meeting:
Motion: to accept minutes of 9/10/08 as presented, made by Michael, seconded by Ed, approved unanimously

North Street odor issues:

• Michael briefly described the odor problem
• Dave Polcari reported

o First thing was installation of a vacuum odor control unit about 2 years ago – odors closer to Ship St. still a problem
o Smoke was blown into sewer – a sag was found near Ship St. and this is blocking fumes from reaching treatment facility
o Testing was done at Mill St. and Greenbush pump stations – odor causing compounds found
o Recommended that chemical added at Mill St. Station

• Michael told where pump stations are located
• All restaurants are required to have a grease trap

o Some not present or not working
o Trap inspection program is to be implemented

• Additional chemical treatment will be made as necessary
• House in area on septic is described as problem – not sure this is the problem or part of problem

o House is vacant
o House is in probate
o Water has been shut off

• Michael reported personal inspection walk lasting about two hours in area of problem
• Jim indicated that sitting septic in an unused property could be a source of odor
• Jim also said there seems to be little pattern as to constant location of odor

o Is not tied to pumping cycle at station
o Odor was not apparent when manhole cover was removed for testing

• Pipe needing to be repaired is in front of 88 North St.
• Repair of sag in pipe is being studied
• Resident said problem is unpredictable and terrible; she appreciates effort being made by HSC
• Jim reported phone calls from residents
• Jim said he would respond when odor is reported in effort to track odor
• Jim reported odor seems to begin at area near 88 North St.
• Discussion of odors that come from septic chimney when wind/draft is from certain direction

o Dave said this type of problem can be corrected with special venting

• Michael reported on pilot programs that have been tried in the area to resolve problem
• Jim gave resident his business card with his cell number
• Jim is seeking information from seminar held last week by NE Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission
• Commission needs to approve Siemens’ hydrogen sulfide proposal; cost to be $500 per month for equipment rental plus cost of material at Mill St.

o Discussed trial period during Mill St. project

• Jim said equipment will be loaned by Siemens for testing.

o This is different from the equipment used at Gillette Stadium
o Dave said the existing Bi-Nutrix System is easier and less complicated

• Jim reported odors at West Corner
• Jim wants treatments to be done by HSC employees to better control chemical usage and daily monitoring of equipment
• Michael instructed Jim to contact Jack Bailey to tell him HSC would maintain Bi-Nutrix wetwell feeders at West Corner and Greenbush
• Dave asked if Greenbush vent has a carbon filter
• Kate distributed copies of letter from Siemens (see attached)
• Dave described differences in grease/odor systems
• Michael recommends trying Siemens program on one-month trial

o One month rental and chemical
o Reports are provided by Siemens
o CDM will review reports

Motion: To approve a test of the Siemens proposal using Bi-Oxid Motion made by Michael, seconded Ed, unanimous approval.

Borrowing for Mill Street:

• Town is doing borrowing in late November/early Dec. – money for Mill St. project can be included in this loan
• $15K - $16K per year annual interest would be paid by HSC
• Kate reported on balance in Connection Account and expected income to it
• Alternative to borrowing is to pay out of Connection Account and not pay annual interest on loan
• Michael reported that Governor is reporting cuts to be made to towns for support
• Michael questioned if going out to bond would incur a large rate increase
• Short-term borrowing can roll over into long-term loan
• Discussion about paying now vs. borrowing to pay for construction
• Cost of construction is near $380,000 ($228K, plus costs for police, engineering, etc.)
• Present balance in Connection Account is $750,000 with more money coming in
• Kate reported another big pay-in is not expected after Shipyard money comes in and that HSC needs to protect the balance for rate stabilization going forward
• HSC is a special revenue entity, not an enterprise fund
• Michael listed present projects currently being paid for
• $2,153,040 is annual operating budget for 2009

Motion: To pay for the Mill St. project borrowing now out of the Connection Account and not go into short-term borrowing from the town for the next year. Made by Michael, seconded by Andrew, Unanimous vote.

Ed will report on cost and details of HSC becoming an enterprise fund.

Repair permit fee:

• Jim suggested imposing a fee and issuing a permit for repairs made to lines connecting to sewer system
• Jim will talk with other departments to see what fees they are charging and how they are administered
• Jim will write a letter describing new permitting process

Motion: to start a repair permit fee to mirror the cost of the Board of Health fee Made by Michael, Seconded by Andrew. Unanimous vote.

Warrant Article for Lower Central St./Kent’s Lane

• Kate told of letter received previously from residents in this area asking that the Commission extend the line in lower Central Street so they could tie into systemand pay for the line through betterments.
• Warrant had already closed when letter was received
• HSC needs to get request on warrant for next April
• Wording from Warrant article for Green St. Ct. can be adapted
• HSC will borrow for construction and residents will pay back through betterments
• Kilmartins from Kents Lane are now collecting signatures from residents on their street for the same process – no formal communication with HSC to date
• Allows for extension within the North Sewer District so that area can be treated by MWRA
• Letter will be sent to Kilmartins letting them know that HSC must know about Kents Lane by November 15, 2008 if residents of Kents Lane want to be included in Warrant for 2009 town meeting
• Kate will find out when article is due

Motion: to initiate a Warrant article for Lower Central St. tie-in, to mirror the Green St. Court article from a former Warrant to be included in the upcoming Warrant for the 2009 Town Meeting. Made by Michael, seconded by Andrew. Unanimous vote.

General Commission business:

• Comprehensive Wastewater Management Study

o Michael has been trying to get chairman to schedule meeting
o Response has not been received from chairman
o Study is now almost two-years overdue
o Should letter be sent to chairman from HSC?
o Constituents of HSC are asking about conclusion of study
o Letter to be sent to chairman of CWM study can be given to those inquiring
o Ed recommended using Return Receipt Requested
o Copy to go to Selectmen and Town Moderator
o Kate will draft letter for Michael’s approval
o CDM is ready to complete study after a public meeting
o Chairman was selected by committee and approved by Selectmen

• Fats, Oils, and Grease standards:

o Jim is getting input from MWRA, DEP, other municipalities, and state agencies before going back to Board of Health
o Jim is in communication with Jack Hamm, DEP
o Should be within a month after questions are answered by awaited communication

• Cohasset flow meter:

o Andrew will call Cohasset Sewer Commission with inquiry
o Andrew will also call Dan Coughlin
o Problem goes back to 1996
o Andrew can send letter on HSC letterhead if telephone effort does not work

• Personnel Board Meeting

o Meeting is being held tonight regarding grievances made in May and June by employees
o Meeting will be with union steward, personnel board, teamsters will also be there
o Michael and Jim will attend; other members of HSC are welcome

Motion to adjourn made by Michael Salerno and seconded by Ed Demko. Unanimous vote. Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m.

Minutes prepared by Joanne C. Carpenter

This summary does not include every item discussed by the Board, nor the full extent of the discussions.

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