11/29/1994 SCHOOL - HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Minutes

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Steve said he has worked with them over the years, they are technically competent but he does not have a good feel whether they can impartially represent the town before DEP. He does not have that answer. DEP had heard, from DWP, that we would not downsize the plant which was counter to our wishes. Elias suggested the Committee hire someone else to put together the variance package and contract with DWP to design the plant to that size. Bill asked if this will cause contractual problems? Bob said there are cost and schedule implications. Mark Pare has done a considerable amount of work. To find another firm, acceptable to the Committee and to SMMA will take time. DWP is wiling to transfer any of their information to someone else but it still impacts the schedule. He does not want to defend them to the point where it creates problems between SMMA and the Committee. Bob told Mr. Pare that it may be personality problems as well as credibility problems. Mr. Pare said if it was a compatibility problem, he would step aside and ask his partner to take over the project. They are 2-3 weeks away from completing the submission . Peter suggested that may be the reason he was reluctant to take up the Committee's position, because he had done the work. Bob said it -was just 2 weeks ago the Committee told him to downsize the plant. Mr. Pare said the cost of design changes to downsize would be about $9 ,000. Paul would like to know when the Committee authorized him to design a 26 ,000 gallon plant? He is not sure SMMA has done enough to solve the problems. The Committee wanted to see alternative ideas and no one stepped up to the table except people from outside the project (Chartwell consultant, health agent) . Bob explained when Mr. Pare met with the Committee in August, he indicated he knows of 2 communities that got variances but it took 18 months. He felt that was a significant obstacle to overcome. He has said he is wiling to design a 15 , 000 gallon plant and bring it before the DEP if that is what the Committee wants. He also is willing to talk about alternative systems. He is not sure Bioclear is out of the question. Paul said he will review his records, it was about 8/,eeks ago he called WP's office and spoke with the Project Manager Pain O'Neil and told him of D p J g the meeting with the Board of Health and reduced flow. Mr O'Neil did not want to hear it, he said we would never get the approval . If he proceeded, knowing the Committee had a problem with the Title V flow, Paul has a hard time paying their extra fee to downsize the design . This subcontractor did not get authorization from this Committee for that work. Steve agreed the Committee was always talked about reduced flows and DWP did ignore us . Janice said even more so by telling DEP we were going with the Title V regulations . Elias does not agree there is a 18 month delay for a variance. Bob said he will say no more on the matter, the Committee has to make a decision and SMMA will do what the Committee tells them to do. There are 3 issues - the size of the plant, the concentration and the 2