Sanford public-works staff told the commission Sept. 8 they will reschedule the city’s oil-and-grease program presentation to a future work session so the department can complete a comprehensive review and update of an apparently outdated program manual.

Brent Johnson, Public Works and Utilities director, said the program lead and other staff were unable to attend the Sept. 8 meeting and that staff are working on a full assessment to identify program issues and enforcement consequences. Commissioners and staff discussed whether enforcement of an older minimum tank-size requirement (750 gallons) had been suspended; Johnson and other staff said the earlier, narrower instruction had required additional managerial review of specific staff enforcement decisions and calculations to be aligned with state plumbing-code calculations.

City attorney and staff said they are working to ensure any suspension or modification of enforcement is consistent with state law and public-works needs. Johnson recommended that if the city temporarily suspends enforcement to allow businesses to proceed under updated rules, the suspension should be limited and followed by a requirement to meet the updated standards once the revised program is adopted.

Why it matters: the oil-and-grease program affects restaurants and other businesses with grease waste that can damage sewer collection and treatment infrastructure. Businesses and the city both expressed concern that enforcement under an outdated manual could hinder operations.

Outcome at the session: staff will return with a full program assessment, suggested resolution language and a presentation at the next work session; commissioners asked staff to provide the updated materials in advance so commissioners can review before the next meeting.