Panel takes fresh look at sewers

Posted 8/8/13

After all the criticism of sewer assessments; usage fees and debt; petitions calling to reduced rates; and suggestions to eliminate the authority, it seemed the sewer review commission created by …

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Panel takes fresh look at sewers

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After all the criticism of sewer assessments; usage fees and debt; petitions calling to reduced rates; and suggestions to eliminate the authority, it seemed the sewer review commission created by Councilman Edgar Ladouceur was prepared to launch an inquisition.

But that’s not the case, as Ladouceur reminded members Monday morning that the “past is history” and the goal now is to come up with answers so that the system is affordable and for those needing sewers to get them.

And Ladouceur was willing to listen to some fresh ideas, including one made by Senator William Walaska that all taxpayers share in the cost of some infrastructure improvements, not just those who are sewer users.

“Everyone benefits from a cleaner bay,” Walaska said.

Janine Burke, WSA executive director, pointed out that the concept is no different from all taxpayers footing the cost of schools on the premise that an educated population is desirable even though only a percentage have kids in school.

Mayor Scott Avedisian had some issues with the suggestion when asked what he thought Tuesday.

“The city can’t do revenue bonds,” Avedisian said. Alternatively, it can issue general obligation bonds that would require voter approval. But he questions, with more than 50 percent of the city already with sewers, would the bonds gain voter approval?

Also, he observed, if the city funded the improvements, it would be faced with carrying an increase in debt that would have an impact on taxes and quite possibly its bond rating.

Funding is a critical issue to the committee’s deliberations.

“Debt is the biggest part of the reason why the authority has run aground,” Ladouceur said yesterday. And, in order to move forward, the authority will need to incur more debt. The questions are: How much? Which projects? Who will pay?

In addition to extending sewers to shoreline neighborhoods that face mandates to replace cesspools with septic systems or connect to sewers, the sewer authority is faced with meeting the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) requirement to improve the removal of phosphorous in its treatment system.

The authority has designed the system to meet the requirement, projected to cost $21 million, which includes heightening Pawtuxet River levees at a cost of $5 million. The authority has applied for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to do the levee work. The two infrastructure improvements, which benefit all users, would be paid through higher usage fees — unless the city took on the debt.

Ladouceur is also amenable to the authority hiring its own engineer to help design and oversee expansion of the system, which surprised authority members.

The councilman reasoned that the cost of an engineer could actually save the authority money while providing reliable estimates on the cost of proposed projects and thereby eliminate cost overruns.

Asked if an engineer might also design storm water management systems, since the administration aims to create the position in the Department of Public Works, Avedisian reasoned it wouldn’t work.

“It was a disaster,” he said of an engineer once shared by the DPW and the authority.

“He was being pulled out of one [department] to do the other all the time,” he said.

Ladouceur had a suggestion of his own to help reduce the cost of building sewers. He said he was impressed by the work done by the Department of Public Works in replacing the Sea View Drive culvert and bridge in Oakland Beach. He said he talked with David Picozzi of the department and Picozzi is agreeable to exploring the feasibility of city crews installing sewer lines.

But, while the committee sought to get its arms around the issues and a complete picture of authority operations, there’s also a sense of urgency to extend sewers to several neighborhoods, including Bayside, Gov. Francis Farms, Greenwood and O’Donnell Hill.

Ward 8 Councilman Joseph Gallucci is the author of a resolution granting the authority to issue $23 million in sewer revenue bonds. The principal and interest costs of the bonds would be paid by assessments.

Gallucci has twice postponed a council vote on the resolution. It is now slated to be heard at the Sept. 9 City Council meeting.

“We must get started and we must get started now,” Gallucci said. Even with the authority to issue revenue bonds, Gallucci said it would be at least a year before any pipe went into the ground.

Ladouceur questioned the cost of the projects being considered that brought him to the observation that reliable engineering estimates are essential.

“It’s very important that we have the right number,” he said. He asked the authority for a “Reader’s Digest” of its operations, ranging from the reserve capacity of the wastewater treatment plant, projected flow from additions to the system to usage fee revenues if all property owners with access to sewers were connected. About 70 percent of properties with access to sewers are connected.

Prioritizing projects is also an issue the committee aims to address.

Public member Michelle Komar observed that the projects Gallucci suggests exceed $23 million and don’t include the work required of the treatment plant.

Ladouceur questioned whether the authority requested extensions to do the plant work [it has] and what has the greatest impact on the environment – upgrading the plant or extending the system?

Warwick Sewer Authority Chairman Aaron Guckian said the greater gain would be achieved by sewer extensions.

“We’re not throwing away money because it’s fun,” responded committee member Angelo Liberti of the DEM. “Get the numbers together and show you can’t do it.” He reasoned extending sewers without work to the treatment plant simply transfers the problem to the Pawtuxet River.

Committee member Jane Austin, who represents Save the Bay, said she is dismayed if delaying improvements to the treatment plant is a strategy to address the problems.

Ladouceur said yesterday that the commission will meet weekly with the expectation of completing its work as quickly as possible.

“There have been problems for a long time. Before we can fix them, we have to know what they are,” he said. Ladouceur said he plans to update the City Council on Sept. 9 and that he remains open to hearing ideas as well as complaints.

He identified “lack of communication” as a major part of the problem.

The next full commission meeting is Aug. 15 at 8 a.m. at the sewer authority. A meeting focusing on the Bayside project and issues relating to Indian burial grounds and artifacts will be held Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. in the lower conference room in City Hall.

Comments

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  • davebarry109

    IF the cost of sewers continues to be 82-100 per foot of frontage, that is too expensive. It also penalizes those of us with odd shaped lots but not large lots. If my lot is the same size as my neighbors but I have an extra 50 feet of frontage, I get to pay 4000-5000 more than my neighbor for the same sewer access. Does this make sense?

    Thursday, August 8, 2013 Report this

  • Reality

    The same players who have steered the WSA into bankruptcy ( Burke and Gukian) are on this commission. What a joke. Why have any future meetings?....the chairman and all the members except Komar want sewers and will vote for the WSA expansion. Their findings have no credibility.

    Thursday, August 8, 2013 Report this

  • falina

    "Ladouceur had a suggestion of his own to help reduce the cost of building sewers. He said he was impressed by the work done by the Department of Public Works in replacing the Sea View Drive culvert and bridge in Oakland Beach. He said he talked with David Picozzi of the department and Picozzi is agreeable to exploring the feasibility of city crews installing sewer lines."

    In other words, as long as the union gets THEIR piece, it's all just fine. Sheesh, WHEN are people going to WAKE UP????

    Friday, August 9, 2013 Report this

  • francO18

    I can't believe it... I am nearing 80 years old,and I was a draftsman for Maguire Assoc. in 1973, when the drawings for the sewers in Warwick were being finalized. What is wrong with the people in power in R I ..that they have to have a Cash Cow with everything they seem to do. Why can't they just DO IT. I have a family there, and it is my greatest wish that the Warwick sewers and that #*&%@ly airport fiasco will stop making headlines. Here in AZ when we start a job it seems to get done..efficiently and on time...with none of these.."Change order fiascos " that so many Engineering Firms seem to have to keep afloat. It looks like most committees want to milk that Ole Cash Cow also.No wonder one third of my classmates have moved out and do not want to ever go back.Maybe it;s because I have worked with some of the finast engineers of R I ,,,Jim Ryan ,Bill Dodge,Pat Cardola and Robert Hartman.I was so fortunate to have them as teachers.And.. Please.....Lincoln ...stop with the "Holiday Tree" stuff,,,it is an embarassment to retirees living out of State

    Saturday, August 10, 2013 Report this