Somerset water board approves easement relocations, grants sewer abatement and reviews storm impacts on treatment plant

The Somerset Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners approved an easement relocation with Jopeca Holdings, LLC covering properties at 168 and 115 Walker Street and granted a one‑time sewer abatement for a local resident at its March 11, 2026 meeting.

The board voted unanimously to approve the Easement Relocation Agreement for 168 Walker Street after Town Counsel reviewed the relocated easement; Vice‑Chairman Joseph Bednarik then successfully moved to amend the approval to include 115 Walker Street. Clerk Robert E. Lima seconded both motions and each carried by unanimous vote.

Clerk Robert E. Lima moved and the board approved a one‑time, lifetime abatement of 19,000 gallons of sewer usage and the related infrastructure fee for Robert Mullen of 240 Westhill Avenue, totaling $177.39; Vice‑Chairman Bednarik seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The board also tabled two procurement items for further review: award of the Sludge Removal Transportation & Disposal Services bid to Agresource Inc. and Wright‑Pierce Task Order No. 39 for Primary Clarifier Rehabilitation at the Water Pollution Control Facility. Both items remain under review by town counsel or staff and no award or authorization was made.

Superintendent Christopher Wickman updated commissioners on operational matters at both the water and wastewater facilities. He reported the Somerset Water Department flow was about 1.6 million gallons per day and the reservoir was roughly 15 inches below full; the River Pump Station was operating as conditions allowed and a spring flushing program is planned for late March–early April. Wickman said nitrite, nitrate and inorganic tests were well within regulatory limits and that first‑quarter trihalomethane results were in the 40s–50s, below the maximum contaminant level. He also told the board the Annual Statistics Report and Consumer Confidence Report are being prepared and are due at month’s end.

At the Water Pollution Control Facility, Plant Manager and Chief Operator Sean Pires reported average plant flows near 9 MGD and said recent storm events caused secondary‑clarifier blanket issues. To stabilize operations the plant used additional sludge truck capacity, relied on flow equalization and placed a backup influent pump into service. Pires said chemical ordering and delivery timing added complications but, after operational adjustments, the facility was handling flows more effectively.

Wickman told the board he is pursuing a roughly $4 million community funding grant to help the Sewer Department meet NPDES permit requirements. Chairman Steven Cadorette credited Wickman and Trent Butler for rapidly assembling an application after notice from Selectman Souza and said the board is awaiting a response. Cadorette also said Wright‑Pierce is evaluating headworks and solids‑handling upgrades and that the board has provided internal guidance not to exceed $75 million for the regionalization plan; additional work beyond that amount would require grant funding or alternate sources.

Other operational items noted by Wickman included ongoing distribution crew repairs, permanent road patching scheduled for the end of the month, a pump failure at the sludge lagoon replaced with a spare on hand, electricians continuing work for the Hot and Cold Lane Booster Pump Station upgrade (the project is on hold pending equipment), and staffing updates: a new Water Treatment Operator is in her second week and will attend required training next month, a Distribution Laborer vacancy was posted to the MWWA job board, and the Meter Reader/Cross Connection Operator position will be reposted.

Procedural business included approving the Jan. 28 meeting minutes, tabling minutes from Feb. 11 and Feb. 25, and adjourning the meeting at 4:35 p.m. The board recorded no public comment at the meeting.