11/16/2010 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

Home Browse Search

Findings—Part 1: Project Area south of Route 28(aka Phase 1/Phase 2) Collection System: • High nitrogen ioads in Davis Straits and Maravista/Little Pond watershed justify starting sewer construction at the west end of the Project Area and working eastward In several phases,beginning in 2016;then 2025,2030 and 2035. • There is no environmental urgency to sewer Falmouth Heights outside of the Little Pond Watershed or Scranton Ave south of Queen Street. • The Waquolt area east of Seapit is not recommended for sewering because of low population density;consider alternative technologies during Phase 3 or earlier. • Success with one or more Demonstration Projects(see below)could reduce the need to sewer all the peninsulas. Treatment System: • The best site for a centralized wastewater treatment plant(WWTP)is West Falmouth because of its untapped,capacity,proximity to discharge sites,existing land available for expansion,lower operating costs,comparable capital costs,and greater efficiency of operating a single site. • Discharge sites will be located outside of the West Falmouth watershed,thereby staying within the TMDL limits for West Falmouth Harbor so that no sewering is required. • The treatment processes will be the same as presently used(Sequencing Batch Reactor with denitrifying filter). Discharge System: • Use sand infiltration beds at the Peterson,'north',Allen and Deignan parcels and subsurface leaching fields at the Falmouth Country Club and Sandwich Road if needed, . Discharge sites would be developed in a phased approach as needed. • Ocean outfall at Nobska Point should continue to be studied as an option. Demonstration Projects: • Strong community support exists for funding and testing a variety of alternative technologies that do not involve centralized sewers:shellfish cultivation,channel widening,permeable reactive barrier,settling ponds,composting toilets,etc.Pilot projects are suggested for the eastern portion of the Project Area. Findings—Part 2: Budget and Financing • Total estimated project cost of Phases 1 &2 is$290 million which includes a collection system from Davis Straits to Seapit peninsula,treatment at West Falmouth,and discharge;plus contingency,legal,engineering,and financial consultants. • The project will be funded through bonds,a matching 0%State Revolving Fund loan, and a combination of betterment payments and local taxes. • A betterment assessment is a tax on properties served by a new sewer.No sewer=no betterment. A$20,000 betterment assessment is recommended,spread over 50 years, which equals$705 per year per Equivalent Dwelling Unit. • Buildings served rved by the sewer would also pay between$2,000 and$5,000 to connect, plus sewer fees based on water usage. Next Steps October 2010 through May 2011: • Fall Town Meeting: Pass Article 50 for Special Legislation to help funding strategies; Discuss Article 46 Nutrient Management By-law submitted by the Board of Health • Selectmen adopt/implement ACTION PLAN 2011-2014 (17 recommendations+budget) • Selectmen appoint a Blue Ribbon Committee to develop an equitable betterment system • Prepare Article for Spring Town Meeting FY'l I for Standing Committee on Wastewater, • Spring Town Meeting and May Electiom vote$6 million bond issue(debt exclusion)