Committee recommends award of Eastham wastewater-plant contract, approves tank covers while deferring active odor control

A project review committee on Friday voted to recommend to the select board that the town accept the bid from Waterline Associates and include Alternate One to install covers on the new SBR tanks, while deferring purchase and installation of active odor-control equipment.

The committee's motion, made by committee member Brad and seconded, moves a recommendation that the select board authorize the award and that the bid package include the covers alternate. Committee members then approved forwarding the recommendation for select-board action at a scheduled meeting on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Why it matters: Covers were added to the design after neighborhood outreach and, the committee heard, can help process performance in cold-weather conditions. Engineered covers also respond to neighbors' expectations that the plant would be constructed with measures to limit odors. The committee balanced those community commitments against a large capital price for active odor control and the plant's operational profile.

What the committee heard - Technical trade-offs: Design staff explained that SBR tanks are primarily anoxic/aerobic and that hydrogen sulfide generation in those tanks is expected to be minimal; most sulfide is removed earlier in the collection system and at headworks. Designers also said vents for decanters will discharge vertically and that, while covers concentrate where odors exit, the total emission is not increased.

- Operator experience: A former chief operator who worked at a Massachusetts SBR facility described a pilot in which one covered tank and one uncovered tank operated side-by-side; the operator reported a —substantial— improvement in nitrogen removal in the covered tank, estimating sometimes 20–30% better removal depending on conditions.

- Cost considerations: Committee members said a recent estimate put the odor-control option at about $3 million, a sum that influenced favoring covers without active odor-control equipment to keep the project within funding parameters. Staff and the design team noted the base bid includes spare conduits and electrical spares so odor-control equipment could be added in a later phase without major building demolition.

Permitting, easements and funding Staff told the committee that the plant permit has been received, a milestone expected to strengthen the town's remaining SRF (State Revolving Fund) authorization steps. However, final easement paperwork remains outstanding and must be returned before the town can advertise the construction contract. Designers warned SRF review typically takes about three weeks and that the town may need to request deadline extensions; as a contingency the committee discussed alternative funding through the 2027 IUP if SRF denies extensions.

Action and next steps The committee approved forwarding its recommendation to the select board, which will meet later in the week to consider authorizing the contract award. Staff will prepare the formal authorization package for SRF and follow up on easements and any remaining permit submittals.

Committee members asked that staff document the decision to defer active odor control and the provisions included now (conduits and spares) that preserve a later retrofit path. The committee also requested follow-up details on cover materials and life expectancy, and a short summary of pilot-site performance data for nitrogen removal to share with the select board and nearby residents.

Quote: "I move to recommend to the select board that we accept the bid from Waterline Associates and include Alternate One," committee member Brad said when proposing the recommendation.

What wasn't decided The committee did not approve purchase or installation of full odor-control equipment as part of the award. No formal vote tally was recorded in the transcript; the meeting proceeded by voice approval to forward the recommendation. The exact final contract sum and the SRF authorization decision remain pending.

The select board will consider the committee's recommendation at its upcoming meeting; staff said they will circulate the SRF authorization package and follow up on easement returns before advertising construction.