Bayside Sewers

'No option' but to preserve Indian sites

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 8/15/19

By JOHN HOWELL Open cut installation of Bayside sewers, as now being suggested as a cost-saving measure by Warwick Sewer Authority member Carlo Pisaturo, may not cost any less than the directional drilling method planned to avoid disturbing sacred""

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Bayside Sewers

'No option' but to preserve Indian sites

Posted

Open cut installation of Bayside sewers, as now being suggested as a cost-saving measure by Warwick Sewer Authority member Carlo Pisaturo, may not cost any less than the directional drilling method planned to avoid disturbing “sacred” Indian grounds.

Last week Pisaturo dismissed efforts to preserve Indian archeological features found in test pits on Tidewater Drive on the basis that gas and water lines have already disturbed the area and besides, there’s no knowing whose bones might be found.

Additionally, he pointed out that a gravity system, rather than the low-pressure system on the drawing boards, would eliminate the need for pumps for the 937 property owners who would gain access to sewers. He thought that could reduce assessment costs to the homeowner by as much as $10,000.

But at Tuesday’s WSA finance committee meeting chaired by John Justo, Pisaturo learned that the Bayside project consisting of the neighborhoods of Riverview, Longmeadow, Highland Beach and Bayside was designed as a gravity project and for that to work, it would require the construction of three pumping stations. Earl Bond, WSA project manager, believes the three stations would push the cost of the project beyond that of the low-pressure system planned.

Furthermore, pointing out that the authority has signed a memorandum of agreement with the state and the EPA, the authority must move ahead with directional drilling.

“There’s not an option with this project,” he said.

With directional drilling, jack pits would be located in Tidewater Drive so as not to alter the archeological features identified. Then drilling at a depth – from 5 to 6 feet – to avoid other utilities and below the features, drilling would be done to allow for the pipe to reach another jack pit.

Last week, John Brown, historic preservation officer for the Narragansetts, said the tribe had recognized the need to complete this project. He was outraged at the suggestion that the open cut system of construction and the possible disturbance of “sacred sites” be used.

Referring to Indian sites, Pisaturo said Tuesday, “no one is seeing them anyway. We’re not digging up a cemetery.”

“In Indian eyes, it is a cemetery,” Bond said.

Later in the meeting, Pisaturo questioned about the repaving of Tidewater Drive that is costing the authority $84,750. Bond said the work is being done to level out the road in response to complaints and that the jack pits for the directional drilling will be minimal digging.

“So you’ve already paved over Tonto,” Pisaturo said to the shock of fellow board members.

Pisaturo reminded fellow members the mayor is concerned by the cost of the project (last estimated between $23 million and $27 million). Solomon has not committed to moving ahead with Bayside, although 70 percent of the property owners who would gain access to sewers have cesspools. Many of those homeowners living within 200 feet of the water must convert to an approved septic system unless sewer construction starts by 2020 and they tie in when completed.

Solomon reiterated Wednesday that he wanted to see the numbers for the cost of the project before WSA moves ahead. He also found Pisaturo’s use of Pocahontas and Tonto in describing the Indians, and his lack of concern to preserve the site, inappropriate.

“I haven’t spoken to him directly, I’m only going by what I read,” Solomon said.

He added, “I have no reason to doubt the reporters, I’m not saying that. I’m just saying without speaking to him directly and asking why would you say something like this, all I can say at this point is that it’s nothing that I condone. It’s nothing that my administration believes in or is a part of. It’s nothing that the Sewer Authority, the fire department or the police department or anywhere else that I’ve made appointments [would] endorse.”

Bond said plans for the Bayside project would be ready for bids by late spring or early next summer. Until those bids are in place and all variables of the project have been considered, Bond and Justo are reluctant to make any estimates on assessment costs. Their fear is that after arriving at one cost unforeseen issues require additional borrowing that would push up homeowner costs.

Authority board members had no response to Longmeadow homeowner Mark West who suggested the Bayside project be put to a vote of homeowners. Six years ago, West spent $30,000 to install a septic system.

“If the people don’t want [sewers], why are we going through all this stuff?”

Comments

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  • davebarry109

    No matter what method is used, SEWERS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE for the average citizen. it is outrageous to charge 22-30K for a sewer line to go by someones house. Then you have another 4-7k to hook up. Then yearly sewage bills. Crazy expensive to go to the bathroom. Crazy. Insane.

    Thursday, August 15, 2019 Report this

  • Former User

    And Pisaturo continues with his ignorant and insensitive remarks, while Solomon is responsible for yet another embarrassment to the city.

    Thursday, August 15, 2019 Report this

  • JohnStark

    Pisaaturo's dopey remarks not withstanding, what exactly are they finding that is "sacred"? Is it human remains, or a fragment from a bowl?

    Friday, August 16, 2019 Report this

  • Warwick_Resident1998

    How has Pisatouro not been removed from this commission? he's an embarrassment.

    Friday, August 16, 2019 Report this

  • bill123

    I was assessed one THIRD to one QUARTER of what is being proposed for Bayside, based on frontage that is probably larger than average. It looks like the cost for sewers is going up over time, by a lot. As for selling bonds to finance this (from prior news story), I wonder what investors would think of a city that cannot produce a financial report (“audit”) until over a year after the end of the reported-on fiscal year.

    Friday, August 16, 2019 Report this

  • TheSkipper

    Ok I get the whole "Preservation" thing but holding up a necessary public works project for some imaginary historical BS is Just stupid. You want to prevent a Neighborhood of Living people from getting a public works project because of a few fragments of bone? The white man have been on this land for 600 years. and you want to prevent it's development because someone was buried there , unknown how many hundreds of years ago? No one knows who they were, who they are, or who they're related to? Dig the guy up move his grave and give him a new marker. Treat it with a modicum of respect, but MOVE ON.

    Tuesday, August 20, 2019 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    How does this directional drilling from deep pit to deep pit not disturb the artifacts and possible graves?

    Wednesday, August 21, 2019 Report this

  • Cat2222

    At a certain age, we should all know how to use our adult words correctly. You can make your point without insulting an entire group of people. The costs are rising so this can no longer be delayed. Do your best by being respectful of the possibility of sacred ground as you move ahead with your work. See, that wasn't so hard, now was it Mr. Pisaturo?

    Thursday, August 22, 2019 Report this