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TOWN OF GRANBY
GRANBY WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORITY
(BOARD OF SELECTMEN)
INFORMATIONAL MEETING REGARDING CANTON ROAD SEWER EXTENSION
MINUTES
JULY 20, 2009
The informational meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by First Selectman John Adams at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
ALSO PRESENT: Francis Armentano, Director of Community Development and Kevin Clark, Town Engineer
Town Manager Smith noted this meeting is being held by the Board of Selectmen, in their capacity as the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority and started the meeting by reiterating how serious a problem the septic system failures are in this area of Canton Road. Plans were put in motion to extend the sewer line along Canton Road so homes there could be connected. A handout of information has been made available to the public at this meeting. Town Manager Smith encouraged the residents involved to contact him, Director of Public Works, James Klase, or Director of Community Development, Fran Armentano with any questions they might have. An application to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission for this project still needs to be submitted.
Fran Armentano, Director of Community Development covered issues regarding the cost and the time frame of the project. The town will fund the project (estimated cost $400,000) and each resident whose property is on the new sewer line will be assessed for the cost. They will be able to pay this back to the town over a ten year period, with no interest. The total cost of this project is estimated to be about half of what new septic systems would cost the residents. Construction will hopefully start in September or October and will take approximately 45 days to complete. Then, each resident can arrange for hook up at their house.
Kevin Clark, Town Engineer, showed a map of the properties affected. He stated septic repairs could cost up to $30,000. The cost to connect is estimated to be between $3,000 and $5,000. Once the sewer hook up is completed, the present septic tanks need to be pumped, crushed, and filled in. The pipe from the house to the septic tank will need to be disconnected. Mr. Clark and Mr. Armentano will plan to meet with homeowners to show them where the connect will be at their house.
Several residents attended tonight’s meeting. Some questions asked were:
- How is the assessment charge determined? It’s based on the total cost divided by the properties involved along the sewer line. If the total cost were $400,000 divided by 30 properties, then each property owner would be responsible for $13,300. That would be paid back over a ten-year period of time at $1,330 a year. The Sewer Authority will place liens on the properties involved and once the amount is paid off, the lien is removed. If the house were sold before the lien is paid in full, the owner would pay the full balance amount prior to closing.
- Will this $400,000 be the actual cost? This is the estimate at this time. Once the project goes to bid, a more accurate cost will be available. It could be more or less but won’t be double. Bore holes will be drilled in the next few weeks to see if there is bedrock in the area, which could increase the cost of the project.
- Who could be hired to do the hook up’s? A list of contractors will be available from the Building Department, not as recommendations, but as suggestions. Maybe if several neighbors choose one contractor, they could secure a very good price. Mr. Armentano encouraged the public to get prices before making the decision as to which contractor to use. The sewer use rate is set at a public hearing each year. Homeowners, who don’t connect, will still be responsible for the assessment fee.
- What about traffic conditions during the construction? As with any project, there will be some inconvenience involved. While the work is taking place, there will be police there to direct traffic. The sanitary sewer will be located just off center of the road, providing a free lane for traffic. The road will be patched as the work goes along, and next spring the road will be capped with a new surface.
- Why won’t the sewer line go further up Archie Lane? This is a newer development area with soil improving as you go further into this development and with larger lots. There does not appear to be any septic problems in this area.
- What additional fees are involved? Besides the assessment fee, there are the hookup costs, permit fees, and annual user fees.
- What is the timeline for this project? This is still being worked on. The project should go out to bid in August/September. Construction of the sewer line should start in September/October and is estimated to take 45 days to complete. Then, it would take about four days of construction at individual homes to hookup.
This meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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