SEA: Large-scale improvements needed for sewer
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

Westminster residents are going to have to decide if they want to fund a $3.3 million upgrade to the sewer system before even discussing expansion to the system.

Michael Cunningham, from SEA Consultants, presented the results of a four-year review of the wastewater management in town. Cunningham presented the plan to about 30 town employees on Wednesday, Oct. 17, in an informational meeting hosted by the Public Works Commission.

The results showed a six-step project that would cost about $15 million over the course of the next 10 to 15 years. Town officials have not decided how the expansion would be funded but any town money would have to be approved at a town meeting.

Cunningham said historically the town had split the cost of the sewer expansions with residents, paying 50 percent as a betterment fee.

"The Phase A improvements are the most critical," he said.

Phase A is expected to cost about $3.35 million and SEA is suggesting the town start this phase in 2008.

It includes upgrades and expansions to the Whitman River and the Narrows Road pump stations as well as the Fitchburg Interceptor.

Phase A also calls for a revised agreement for wastewater management with Fitchburg and creating a targeted sewer expansion plan.

"This plans seems to follow the assumption that the sewer system will expand," said Board of Health member Edward Simonicini Jr.

He asked why that was the assumption and what would need to happen if the expansion did not take place.

Cunningham said Phase A would have to be completed regardless and added that the expansion to the selected areas of town needed to be done because water quality would suffer in the long run. He explained that the four areas of town selected for the sewer line were areas with small lots.

"You are prolonging improvements to the water quality," he said.

Phase B includes five steps that would add sewer lines through areas of town that are most in need. The town needs to plan for the growth of the sewer lines near the industrially zoned areas of town, but most of the cost of that construction can be handled by developers, Cunningham said.

"It's not going to be supported town wide," said Cunningham.

First to be covered in the recommended expansion project is the Leino Park, Lakewood Park and the Dolly Road areas. It is estimated this would cost $4.11 million.

The second area of proposed expansion is the Lake Drive East area and Edro Isle, at a cost of $2.74 million.

The third area is Baker's Grove and East Wyman, estimated at $2.48 million. The fourth area of residential sewer expansion is the Bacon Street area including the DPW site, which would cost about $2.28 million.