Mayor Joseph Solomon is “in sync” with the Warwick Sewer Authority’s course of action to extend sewers to Bayside after more than two decades of unfilled promises, WSA chairman Gary Jarvis said …
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Mayor Joseph Solomon is “in sync” with the Warwick Sewer Authority’s course of action to extend sewers to Bayside after more than two decades of unfilled promises, WSA chairman Gary Jarvis said Thursday.
Speaking at the WSA board meeting, Jarvis said he and Solomon talked about the project and Solomon was briefed on the authority’s plan to seek bids to bring sewers to 937 property owners in the Riverview, Highland Beach, Longmeadow and Bayside neighborhoods. If the proposed schedule is met, a bid could be awarded in time for construction to start in the spring. The project is expected to take 18 months to complete.
Solomon has been cautious to endorse the project, saying he wants to see the numbers first and what it will cost homeowners in assessments. He has suggested there could be less costly methods of helping homeowners, including common septic systems.
Up until recently, however, Jarvis and the mayor hadn’t talked, although WSA has moved ahead with the Bayside plan.
That’s changed.
“We’re talking about different ways of bonding [financing the project],” Jarvis told the board.
“I understand what [the mayor] is trying to do,” he added.
Referring to the work being done by the authority’s finance committee, chaired by John Justo, Jarvis said he expects to be able to sit down with Solomon and explain “what we’re trying to do. He’s very engaged, that’s for sure.”
The finance committee is exploring means to lessen the burden of assessments of homeowners. Justo is hesitant to estimate the cost of assessments until the authority has received bids on the project and the finance committee has analyzed all options to lessen the cost for homeowners.
In his report to the board, Justo said “we have some unique approaches” to financing. He disclosed the committee is working on a five-year plan that will enable the authority to meet its objectives while addressing the issue of assessments. He was not prepared, however, to disclose how the plan might work and what it would mean for homeowners.
“We want to make sure when we come forward with a plan we’ve uncovered every rock,” he said.
Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur has made Bayside sewers a priority since first running for office seven years ago. His efforts resulted in a sewer review commission that not only looked at plans to extend sewers to various communities but also resulted in changes in enabling legislation and City Council approval of revenue bonds for Phase III Gov. Francis, O’Donnell Hill and Bayside sewers. Both the Gov. Francis Farms and O’Donnell Hill projects are nearing competition, but Bayside offers unique challenges.
To avoid Native American archaeological features, including burial sites, the authority plans to use directional drilling to install the system. This would be a first for Warwick. Rather than excavating a path to bury a sewer line, pipes are buried well below the archaeological features by digging a series of pits and then inserting the pipes in holes that have been directionally drilled between the pits.
Many homes within the Bayside project have cesspools or are on aging septic systems. Under a waiver granted by the Department of Environmental Management, homes with cesspools within 200 feet of the bay have until the first of next year to have an approved septic system or be tied into sewers.
Earl Bond, interim WSA director told the board after discussions with DEM he believes the waiver will be extended provided the authority can demonstrate it is on the path to bringing sewers to the neighborhood.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Philip D’Ercole, facilitator of Friends of Warwick Ponds, questioned delays in the Northwest Gorton Pond contract and other projects and why the authority has persistent issues with the Cedar Swamp pumping station. As a practice, the authority does not respond to questions raised during public comment.
D’Ercole went on to say, “We believe that in order to reach our goal of Clean Warwick Waters we must have a Sewer Authority Requirement that mandates connection. We understand that the Sewer Project costs have risen drastically since they began and the connection costs to residents has as well.”
He suggested, “instead of continuing pursuing more projects concentrate your efforts on programs and legislation to require residents to connect at lower costs. Warwick’s Water Bodies are a precious resource and must be protected and nurtured.”
8 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Drew
Wonderful. So the way I interpret this is that no homeowners before or after Governor Francis III and O'Donnell Hill will ever pay as musch as they did?? Corley has sat on his hands as have rest of Warwick elected officials. Some chime up at meetings but it is all smoke and no fire. Just getting their comments on the record for reelection purposes and nothing else
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 Report this
patientman
It would be interesting to see what the linear foot cost has been for each phase of the sewer construction. I gotta believe the difference would be staggering.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 Report this
Reality
Has Jarvis, chairman of WSA, connected to sewers yet ? Why hasn't he led by example ?
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 Report this
patientman
not a leader, how would you know if Jaris is connected to the sewers?
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Report this
Former User
I find it curious that city officials are in such a rush to borrow money -- for a new high school, for new sewers -- just months after they were all screaming that the sky was falling.
The Bayside sewers are long overdue, and I'm not arguing otherwise. It's just that every time I see "bonding" as an option, it means that today's officials are borrowing against a future where they will not have to answer for the costs.
And lest anyone forget, some of them are the same officials who have been in office for years allowing these situations to get as bad as they are.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Report this
Bob_Cushman
anyone can easily find out if a particular person owns property in the city, receives a water bill, and is hooked up to the sewer system as a result of receiving a sewer usage bill. go online and check it out.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Report this
Thecaptain
Maybe its time that an actual licensed superintendent was appointed to the board instead of just all political hacks that are receiving favors. You know, someone with some heavy construction expertise?
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Report this
patientman
Hal,
Funding for new schools & infrastructure upgrades like sewer construction are always bonded. I think the bond interest rate when my neighborhood had sewers put installed in 2009 was 6.1%. Hopefully people getting sewers now will pay a much lower rate to offset the increased cost of construction.
Thursday, October 31, 2019 Report this