SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen met with Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Randy Brown this week and approved bringing a sewer question to voters this spring.
Brown said the Congamond Road state road project in the design phase now will include the dry sewer and sewer main installment. The question Brown posed to the board was what area to do next. His recommendation was to bring the sewers north toward Westfield.
“It would run from Coes Hill Road to the Westfield line,” said Brown, “and would include the American Inn, Rosewood and Wynnfield. Another consideration would be the north pond area and east of Feeding Hills Road to Agawam.”
Brown noted that the north side of town is heavily populated with senior communities that have had septic concerns.
Selectman Joseph Deedy was concerned about capacity as the sewer expands.
“As we add neighborhoods, what is the bottom line?” he asked.
Brown said about 500,000 gallons could flow easily into the new parallel interceptor system. Selectman Russell Fox said he spoke with Health Inspector Thomas Fitzgerald about capacity and household use and the average use is 110 gallons per bedroom, however, Southwick falls below at about 85 gallons per bedroom, so there is room.
The cost of sewer expansion would trickle down to users, however, Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said that cost would be spread out over 40 years and there are options for those who hae a financial hardship.
“So we’re not throwing people to the wolves,” said Deedy.
An expansion article will be part of the Spring Town Meeting warrant.
