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Resident Madison Gonyer urges town action after repeated sewer backups; Select Board schedules camera inspection
Summary
Resident Madison Gonyer told the Select Board she has experienced repeated sewer backups at her Middle Street home. The board scheduled vacuuming and a camera inspection next week to determine whether a liner, replacement, or new manhole is needed and said the town will cover lawn and swing-set replacement if the problem is found to be the town’s responsibility.
Madison Gonyer, a Lancaster resident, told the Select Board on Dec. 1 that repeated sewer backups at her Middle Street home have caused recurring cleanup and treatment concerns and that she had expected a hospital-installed grinder that was not installed.
The board directed Public Works operations to run a Vactor truck and camera the line next week to identify the source of the backups and determine whether a liner or full replacement is necessary. Water/Wastewater Supervisor Timmy Bilodeau said the department will perform the inspection and report back with findings and options.
Selectman Shane Beattie said the town should pay to replace damaged lawn areas and a swing set and urged testing and repairs once the camera inspection pinpoints the problem, saying, "bottom line it is on the town." Selectman Leon Rideout expressed concern about whether the town's insurance would cover damages from the backups.
Gonyer distributed materials she had collected from the Department of Environmental Services and said she had been under the impression Weeks Hospital would install a grinder on its side of the connection; she said that did not happen. Town staff said the line will be vacuumed and inspected to determine responsibility and next steps.
The Vactor-and-camera inspection is scheduled for next week, and the board expects an update at the following meeting. No formal vote or monetary authorization was recorded for repairs at the Dec. 1 meeting.
