Sewer commissioners approve $195,200 design amendment as part of $26M Narrows force‑main plan

The Wareham Board of Sewer Commissioners on April 23 approved Amendment Two to the Weston and Samson engineering contract, adding $195,200 for design work on phases two and three of the Narrows pump station and force‑main project.

At the meeting, John Pots of Weston and Samson described the amendment as design work that includes survey, soil borings and permitting for a new force main from Narrows Road to the Indian Neck pump station and for gravity and low‑pressure sewer service on Minet Avenue. The chair moved to accept the amendment; a commissioner seconded and the motion was carried, though a formal roll‑call tally is not recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: Engineers and commissioners framed the amendment as part of a three‑phase effort they estimate at roughly $26 million if the town pursues the full scope. Presenting the complete project, they said, makes the town more likely to qualify for state low‑interest or zero‑interest funding and possible grant forgiveness tied to nutrient‑removal benefits in phase three.

The proposed three phases would, according to the engineering presentation, (1) install a new 18‑inch PVC force main along Sandwich Road to allow the existing line to remain in service during construction; (2) reroute flow off the existing Narrows force main into the new stub left by phase one; and (3) add a gravity sewer and limited low‑pressure service on Minet Avenue while leaving stubs for future connections identified in the town’s comprehensive wastewater management plan.

Condition and risk: Engineers said the current Narrows force main is an ~18‑inch ductile‑iron pipe more than 9,000 feet long and more than 50 years old. Wall testing in 2018 showed internal corrosion and localized wall‑losses in some spots; commission members warned that a failure could mean substantial environmental cleanup costs and lost business revenue if the downtown system were forced to shut down.

Financing and cost to users: The consultants and commissioners discussed financing scenarios at length. They said borrowing would be the primary funding mechanism, supplemented by potential grants and SRF (state revolving fund) programs; eligibility for 0% SRF financing and some loan forgiveness depends on meeting program criteria tied to nutrient‑removal work in phase three.

Commissioners acknowledged the town does not yet know final bond terms or the precise effect on sewer rates; a back‑of‑the‑napkin worst‑case estimate mentioned during the meeting was about $180 per EDU per year if the full program were bonded without significant grant relief. Commissioners said they will pursue zero‑interest loans, grant opportunities and adjustments to the EDU structure to reduce impacts on residential ratepayers.

Next steps: Engineers will refine presentation materials for an upcoming town‑meeting presentation and provide clarified figures on tributary areas and the number of homes affected. The commission has authorized the $195,200 amendment for design; the larger $26 million proposal will be presented to voters at town meeting and its scope and financing remain subject to further refinement.

Action recorded: Amendment Two to the Weston and Samson engineering contract for $195,200 for design of phase two and three was moved, seconded and approved by the commission; the transcript does not list a detailed vote tally.