Committee recommends three-year biosolids disposal contract with Casella; reviews sewer, storm and $2.127M airport PFC award

The Finance Committee on Nov. 18 recommended that the full council consider a three-year biosolids disposal contract with New England Waste Services of Maine (DBA Casella Organics) at a proposed rate of $142 per wet ton. David Little said the wastewater treatment plant produces roughly 5,500–6,500 wet tons of biosolids per year and that 2023 state legislation now prohibits reuse of biosolids, leaving landfill disposal as the primary option. Little said Casella’s price would likely be covered within the approved fiscal-year budget and that an alternative vendor (Norwalk Waste Management) had proposed a price approximately 35% higher (about $300,000 more annually), which staff said would raise sewer rates.

Amanda (staff) told the committee $142 per wet ton is about mid-range compared with other Maine communities; she noted price variability across regions and that evolving technologies and potential digesters in Brunswick may change regional options in coming years. Committee members asked whether the alternative vendor remained available; staff said they were maintaining communication with multiple parties and monitoring legislative and technological developments.

On capital projects, staff recommended a change order to treat Randolph Drive Sewer Improvements Phase 3 as a continuation of the 2020 Lou Silver contract, with staff-stated pricing held at 2020 unit rates. Earlier in the presentation staff estimated an approximate cost of $507,071 using the 2020 pricing; later in the motion the committee recorded a change-order amount of $570,071 in the motion language. The transcript does not reconcile that difference; staff described the price-hold offer from Lou Silver as advantageous compared with recent bids.

For the Hammond Street storm-drain extension, staff said original bids (including a left-turn lane) ranged $571,000–$840,000. After scope modification to remove the left-turn lane, Eastwood Contractors offered a revised proposal at $438,020 that fits the revised budget.

Finally, staff presented a resolve to accept and appropriate $2,127,000 in FAA Passenger Facility Charge funds to design, purchase and install a passenger boarding bridge at Gate 11. Little said the PFC award has been confirmed and that the resolve will go to full council for first reading next week after committee approval.

Committee members moved and seconded the biosolids item to place it on the full-council agenda as new business; committee action was recorded to forward other high-dollar capital items to council for final decisions.