Warren council authorizes manager to negotiate sludge disposal with Cranston after Woonsocket ends liquid acceptance

The Warren Town Council on Jan. 14 authorized the town manager to negotiate with a Cranston disposal facility for the town's wastewater sludge after the city of Woonsocket moved to stop accepting liquid sludge.

Councilors heard from Jefferson Tallman of H2O Innovation and Pat Reposke, a Synagro representative, who said the town’s contract to haul liquid sludge expires June 30 and may not be renewed. “Our contract … ends June 30, and that will not be renewed,” Jefferson Tallman told the council. Pat Reposke said, “The city of Woonsocket issued a resolution to end the acceptance of liquid sludge.”

The discussion focused on immediate and longer-term options. Warren’s plant currently produces liquid sludge at about 5% solids and hauls it out of town. One short-term path is to negotiate capacity at a Cranston facility operated by Veolia; council staff were told Cranston can accept the town’s volume but has limited allocation and may fill quickly. Longer-term options include returning to on-site dewatering, building a drying line, or joining a regional dryer/incinerator — approaches that would require engineering, capital funding and more time.

Tallman offered a high‑level cost estimate for a dryer: "I would say you're in the less than $5,000,000 range." He and other presenters warned that engineering and procurement could take years and that drying equipment or a regional facility would likely be a multiyear project.

Councilors also heard procurement guidance from the town solicitor, who said the Cranston arrangement could be treated as a sole-source emergency procurement under state law 45‑55‑8 because the town currently has only one practical receiving facility available. Presenters said a negotiated sole‑source contract would allow the town to secure capacity quickly.

Council members asked about budget impacts and current costs. Presenters gave the town’s current annual disposal cost as about $252,000 and said disposal is commonly billed by dry ton; the workshop noted a rough per‑unit figure of about $700 per ton under current arrangements. Councilors were repeatedly advised that exact charges from Cranston were not yet available and would depend on negotiated terms and any needed dewatering.

After discussion the council moved — and approved — a directive for the town manager to enter negotiations with Cranston (Veolia) to secure disposal capacity and to report back at the next meeting. The motion, as amended, also directed the manager to study backup options (on‑site dewatering, dryer/incineration, and regional sharing) and return cost and implementation estimates.

Why it matters: Warren’s sludge contract loss with Woonsocket forces near‑term contracting decisions with fiscal implications and possible capital investments. The council moved to secure a short‑term receiving outlet while asking staff to develop a longer‑term plan that could require grants or substantial capital outlay.

What’s next: The town manager will pursue negotiations with Cranston and return to the council with status and estimates at the next meeting.