DPW Director Randy Brown and the rest of the sewer implementation committee discussed options for the Congamond Rd. sewer line. (WNG File Photo)
SOUTHWICK – The Sewer Implementation Committee discussed possible options for the Congamond Rd. sewer line project during their meeting on Tuesday night.
DPW Director Randy Brown proposed three possible options for the project. Brown stressed that all of the options are very preliminary and nothing is near being set in stone.
The first option is similar to the original plan that was presented at the informational meeting at the town hall last fall. It would include a combination of a gravity sewer and a force main sewer on Congamond Rd.
The difference with option one from the original proposal is that there wouldn’t be any betterment. According to Brown, the town would act as the bank.
The property owners on Congamond Rd. wouldn’t have to tie in since it wouldn’t be mandatory.
Brown also mentioned that all three options would be funded by either loans or grants through the USDA Rural Development program.
Option two would involve just putting a force main on Congamond Rd. This option could cut down on costs of work along Congamond Rd.
There would also still be a pump station and gravity sewer line in the Gillette Corner neighborhood.
The last option is what Brown referred to as a more “scaled down version.” There would be both a pump station and a force main. The property owners would be responsible for the tie-in connection to the sewer line.
The committee mentioned that the property owners will be able to wait five, 10 years, or so until they ever decide to tie-in the connection of the sewer line to their home.
Brown feels that it was necessary to bring a few options to the table and make a change away from the original plan.
“I think we have to,” said Brown. “The process we’ve been following didn’t seem to be getting the support we need.”
The possibility of the homeowners having the option to pay for the connection fee is something that Brown believes is worth considering.
“It gives them (homeowner) flexibility,” said Brown.
The discussion surrounding the three options will continue to be ongoing as the committee may look for a recommendation from the Select Board in the near future.
