RANDAL BROWN
SOUTHWICK – The new water storage tank should be in place this summer.
Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Randy Brown told the Water Commission this week that DN Tank will begin tearing down the old tank in early March.
“As soon as that is done they’ll be grading the area,” said Brown. “It should be up and running by late summer.”
Brown said the old tank will be drained so water is not wasted.
The cost of the tank is $1.36 million, of which the town received a $408,000 grant and borrowed the rest.
Brown said the commission needs to decide if the 39-year loan will be paid with a level yearly payment of $40,000, or a level principal payment, which would vary but could save money.
“For budgeting purposes, it is probably easier to go with the level payment, but if you go with the principal payment, the cost is less,” Brown said.
During the same meeting, Brown alerted the Commission to a situation on Berkshire Avenue where a very small triangular lot was purchased recently.
“Someone purchased it with the intent to build,” said Brown. “It’s a very small lot – about 5,000 square-feet – and it has a water easement on the widest side of the triangle.”
Brown said the owner petitioned the Zoning Board of Appeals but them withdrew. Town Counsel Benjamin Coyle is working with the property owner’s attorney on the matter.
“This is just an FYI,” Brown said.
