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Town of Mashpee Sewer Commission <br /> t <br /> 16 Great Neck Road North <br /> Mashpee, MA 02649 <br /> MOTION:To enter into an agreement with Weston &Sampson,GHD and Apex Companies, LLC for <br /> construction-phase engineering services. <br /> Motion by: Meredith Harris Seconded by:Joseph Lyons <br /> Vote: Motion passed by unanimous vote. <br /> Allowances and Cost Categories Not Requiring Commission Vote <br /> Before wrapping up, Mr. Drainville clarified that certain cost categories in the SRF summary—such as <br /> police detail allowances, contingency funds, and utility cost lines—did not require a formal vote from <br /> the Commission.These were already built into the cost framework and were considered allowances <br /> rather than direct awards. <br /> Discussion on Scheduling and Permit Processing <br /> Although earlier comments mentioned "scheduling," Mr. Drainville clarified that this referred to <br /> preparing and submitting documentation to SRF for funding approval—not to construction timelines. No <br /> specific start or end dates for physical construction were discussed during this portion of the meeting. <br /> The Wastewater Superintendent then provided an update on permit processing. Nearly 70 permits had <br /> been issued so far,though the team had been working through complications involving utility installers <br /> and multiple town departments, including the Board of Health and the Plumbing Department. <br /> Communication challenges and changes in inspection processes required coordination across <br /> departments.A new email had been sent out to all utility installers outlining the updated process in an <br /> effort to streamline operations. Weston &Sampson had been assisting in this effort, and progress was <br /> described as ongoing but headed in a positive direction. <br /> Challenges Activating SCADA Alarm System (WIN-911) <br /> When asked about readiness to activate the system,the Wastewater Superintendent noted a delay <br /> involving the SCADA system's alarm component, known as WIN-911 (safety system).The system had <br /> been operating under a trial license, but the transition to a permanent license—under town <br /> management rather than the design engineer—was delayed due to key vendor personnel being on <br /> vacation. Despite repeated efforts by the town's IT department, communication had been slow. <br /> Recently, some progress had been made through direct phone contact, and a temporary trial account <br /> had been reestablished to keep operations moving until a permanent solution was secured. <br /> Final Preparations at the Water Resource Recovery Facility <br /> As the meeting wrapped up,the Wastewater Superintendent reported that the plant team expected to <br /> begin taking in seed sludge on Monday, marking the beginning of the biological startup process for the <br /> membrane bioreactors (MBRs).This progress was met with enthusiasm, as the team had initially <br /> anticipated a longer timeline.The superintendent confirmed that preparations were ahead of schedule. <br /> Commissioner Lyons inquired about the material currently being brought in from Sea Oaks and whether <br /> the biological "bugs" (microorganisms)were growing as expected.The Superintendent explained that <br /> seeding had not yet started. Instead, screened material was temporarily being stored in a holding tank <br /> and then hauled to another facility by pump trucks. <br /> There had been public complaints about odor, but upon investigation,the Superintendent personally <br /> inspected the tanks and found no detectable smell—even with the lids open. He suggested the odor <br /> may have come from either the brief venting of septic trucks'vacuum systems or from Sea Oaks itself, <br />