WPCA approves small sewer-service expansion; staff reports on pump stations, treatment plant and bridge concerns

Staff presented a request from an engineering firm for a developer identified in the packet (Martucci) to expand the sanitary sewer service area to include two lots adjacent to Siss Street. Staff said the expansion would permit two gravity sewer lateral connections if the developer’s site plans conform to the authority’s slope, pipe material and capacity standards. A motion to endorse the expansion was made and approved by voice vote.

Engineering and operations staff also summarized multiple ongoing and planned infrastructure tasks: an anticipated purchase of property from DOT for a North Main Street pump station relocation and a plan to build a new pump station behind the existing one while renovating the old wet well; replacement orders for contract locks and control blocks at pump stations; work to clean and TV sewer mains in the Main Street extension area; and coordination with DOT projects that affect critical water and sewer pipes.

Staff reported that engineers found the Russell Street pipe-bridge that supports a sanitary sewer line to be in poor condition and that concrete and steel repairs will likely be required; the department expects to bundle that work with a separate Mill Street report to construct a single project. Treatment-plant updates included a return to service after changes, use of powdered activated carbon to address raw-water issues, and continuing lead-detection sampling. Two brief service interruptions on Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 affected about 20–25 homes each time; generators kept pump stations functional during recent storms.

The board did not take additional formal action on these infrastructure items during the meeting beyond the service-area endorsement; staff will return with designs, bids and schedules as projects progress.