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Fore River commission approves three septage haulers and notes septage revenue surge
Summary
The Fore River Sewer Commission approved three septage-hauler applications to discharge at the Fore River Wastewater Treatment Plant and discussed a rise in septage revenue now projected to top $1 million for the fiscal year, up from roughly $300,000–$400,000 in 2019.
The Fore River Sewer Commission voted June 16 to approve three septage-hauler applications that will allow the firms to discharge at the Fore River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Staff told the commission that Rodenheiser Septic (Holliston, Mass.), Convenient Disposal and Sanitation (under new ownership) and Royalty/Port Johns (Eastern Massachusetts) had been given temporary administrative approvals while the plant completed background checks and inspections. ‘‘I gave them temporary approval administratively to allow them to start dumping at our facility,’’ a staff member said, adding that final board approval was required to formalize access and continued use.
The commission also discussed plant revenue tied to septage deliveries. Staff said the plant’s septage receipts have risen sharply in recent years — ‘‘back in 2019 we were maybe three to four hundred thousand a year; this year we’re already over a million for this fiscal year,’’ the staff member said — and that increased deliveries have helped the plant’s budget.
Officials described the administrative requirements for haulers: submission of a written request, background checks, adherence to the plant’s septage-hauler regulations, proof of vehicle insurance and truck inspections by the health department before routine road travel. Commissioners noted the prior suspension of one earlier owner whose interactions with plant staff prompted the suspension; staff said the current application from that firm’s new ownership appeared to address the prior concerns.
Each application was considered and approved on a motion and voice vote. The commission recorded unanimous approval of the three permits. Commissioners said the firms must provide certificates of insurance and comply with the plant’s operational rules; staff will follow up on any additional insurance or inspection requirements with the city law department if the commission requests further safeguards.
The approvals take effect subject to those conditions and the usual regulatory checks. The commission did not amend fee schedules but said staff would continue to monitor hauler performance and report back if problems arise.
