Tuesday February 9, 2010
8:00 a.m.
The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. Those in attendance included Commissioners Salerno, Demko and Spath, Jim Dow, Tom Morgan CDM, Matt Cody CDM, AW Perry, Roger Fernandes, Kevin Paicos, Betty Foley, Jonathan Asher, and Katy Lacy.
• Discuss new Sewer District for Industrial Park
o Tom Morgan went over map and overview.
o Betty Foley handed out draft Warrant Article language from Jim Toomey.
o The project would be a two phase one. The first part would be for the proposed Bone and Muscle center extension for South Shore Hospital.
o I&I issues were considered. Hingham has a 4:1 reduction
Weymouth has a 6:1 goal ($17 / gal)
o CDM was hired for the conceptual planning phase.
o Proposed two connections: 1 on Bristol Brothers property and 1 on Derby Street.
• At 8:15 Kevin Paicos:
o Thanked the Sewer Commission for their $10K contribution to the effort.
o He then gave an overview of the previous day’s meeting with MWRA explaining the process required. The next step is for the Commission to send a committal letter and MWRA will respond allowing the process to continue – while not either approving or denying the district.
o The new sewer district will likely add 200,000+/- GPD to the Weymouth system.
o AW Perry will contribute to the trunk line, allowing connections to other businesses. This infrastructure contribution will save the town possible millions.
o Fortunately, MWRA will consider allowing the connection of the Bone and Muscle center while the permitting process is still on-going.
o He asked that the Sewer Commission sponsor Warrant Articles for the up-coming Town Meeting. The proposed articles were discussed.
• Chairman Michael Salerno:
o Asked Kevin Paicos for a run down of costs versus the potential gains to the community. $50K will be needed to get the application submittal, MEPA (Mass Environmental Policy Act), Interbasin Transfer approval. Tom Morgan said that State grants may be available but would probably have to be disbursed to the town rather than to a private developer (in the case AW Perry for South Shore Hospital).
Kevin Paicos had left a message for Garrett Bradley earlier in the day pointing out the potential for new jobs in the first development and beyond.
o Commissioner Salerno asked if private parties in the Industrial Park have committed to contribute to the effort. The reply was that they, like us, will contribute $10K to the initial planning and they will build the main needed to connect to Weymouth.
o Mr. Salerno enquired about the attitude of the Planning Board to the project. The answer was that they are in favor of the proposal because it is non-residential, and because it is in a contained area. They are supportive and will look at changing the wording “industrial” to include other businesses.
o The meeting addressed the issue of risk. It was agreed that there is risk involved but it is deemed a reasonable risk.
• Commissioner Spath:
o Asked about the developer’s location and whether the Derby Street Shoppes would want to connect. It is known that Derby Street is interested and so is Casey and Hayes, located in the Industrial Park.
o Wondered if the project could be split but was told that MWRA will not allow it as a segmented project. MWRA wants the town to speak with one voice on one project. The Industrial Park is one area of concern in the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan.
• Water Issues
o Discussion ensued about the source of water supply to the Industrial Park. An interbasin transfer is a major obstacle. Weymouth supplied water is available as is MWRA supplied water. MWRA would like to supply water to the project but MWRA water would have to come from the Quabbin. That would create an I&I removal requirement. Katy Lacy added that Aquarion cannot service the proposed district and that Weymouth supplied water may be in Hingham’s best interest.
• Advisory Board
o Jon Asher stated that his board’s concerns include:
costs and the length of time to do the feasibility study. AW Perry wants to begin in the Spring so time is of the essence. The town must be on track. The time frame of the application process needs to be understood.
• It was agreed to appoint Jim Dow as the Sewer Commission representative to the project task force.
• The Commission voted to approve the 1st Warrant Article.
• The Commission voted to approve the intent of the project.
• The Commission voted to approve the draft FOG program.
This summary does not include every item discussed by the Board, nor the full extent of the discussions. The full meeting is available on tope in the Commission Office.