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Council approves sewer fund spending to replace blower motor and rebuild two pump units
Summary
Council authorized the use of unexpended sewer funds and contract reserves to purchase a $54,487 blower motor and to rebuild two pumps at the Wood Street pump station (combined rebuild estimate about $51,002) to restore full station capacity and reduce risk of sanitary backups.
Council authorized the allocation of unexpended sewer funds and contractor reserves to address urgent wastewater equipment failures at the Patterson Avenue/Wood Street facilities.
Public works staff reported one blower motor had seized and one pump at the Wood Street pump station had been temporarily repaired but could not deliver full capacity. The council approved purchasing a replacement blower motor at approximately $54,487 and rebuilding two pumps—the rebuild estimates totalled roughly $51,001.90—drawing on operation contract reserves, H2O contract minor‑repair funds and sewer fee reserves.
Councilors discussed whether to replace one pump or rebuild two; staff advised that the station requires three operational pumps for reliable service during rain events and recommended rebuilding two now to avoid a failure that could cause basement and street backups. The motion to rebuild two pumps and to pay for the blower motor from sewer funds passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: Maintaining three working pumps and a functional blower motor is essential to prevent sanitary overflows and to keep wastewater systems operational; the decision commits town sewer funds to near‑term capital repairs.
