Notes from Water and Sewer Commission, August 10, Hybrid Meeting

Present:

• Donald Schneyer, Chairman
• Peter J. Socha, via Zoom

Also present: Jennifer Carmichael, Secretary, Tom Campetti, Supervisor Sewer, Mike Buffoni, Supervisor Water

1. Approve July 6, 2021 minutes
2. Jim Wilusz — Tri Town Health
   1. Would assist Lake Drive Association (LDA) connection to sewer by expansion of sewer line
   2. Believes good for The Bowl
   3. There are innovative septic systems that could be investigated as well but very expensive ($50-60,000)
3. Beth Nathan from LDA presented an in-house survey: 39 units in association; 6 connected to Town sewer; 32 interested in connecting; 23 on the water; 13 failed; 12 20- 40 years old, and 8 undeveloped properties.
   1. Chair asked where to go from here? Sewer and Water has a 5-year plan LDA not on it — that plan directs expenditures
   2. Beth said she attended SB meeting and Roxanne told her during meeting that Water and Sewer has the money for engineering as a next step
   3. Chair, Buffoni and Campetti all said that was not the case. Money for this or any project would have to be voted at Town Meeting.
   4. Beth asked about money from the new Infrastructure Bill just passed. Response: "we have to take care of what we have before we branch out."
   5. Suggestion: LDA go to SB and generate support to place on next year's budget for Town Meeting.
   6. Chair mentioned there are only 6 full time residents in the LDA, and that there are many Stockbridge residents who would like to be on the sewer.
   7. Buffoni said he will look at water sample results for phosphates and nitrates (indications of septic runoff and/or fertilizer) to see if water quality in lake is being affected.
   8. Wilusz added that there are community septic system and that may be a solution for LDA. Estimate 110 gallons of use per bedroom per day and if use exceeds 10,000 gallons per day, a community septic requires DEP approval. Need cost comparisons between community septic/individual septic/sewer connection to make decision.
4. Water hauler late/demand fees — discussion postponed until others present.
5. Rain issue with the treatment plant and Park Street pump station — exposed potential weakness in system — Park Street pump station replacement update
6. Tuckerman bridge water line move progress — hope to finish this fall
7. Commonwealth wants to issue regulations with respect to water usage during drought but local governments pushing back.
8. Chair wished to thank Hugh Page for the great work he is doing cleaning up transfer station. Also thank you to man (name unintelligible) who does mowing — great job.
9. DeSisto filed an abatement for $4000 fee to Sewer Department. They had a leak used 600,000 gallons of water. Will pay for water but want to abate sewer charge.

Peter Socha opposed. He wants municipal rules and regulations to have teeth. The leak was a function of negligence, and the property owner has to pay for that, Socha said. He continued, if the leak were in a Stockbridge street, the Town would pay. This was on private property and Desisto must pay — do not abate charge. No decision made.

10. Discussion of water shed inspection postponed until next meeting

Meeting adjourned

Photo: Lionel Delevingne