RUSS FOX
SOUTHWICK – Residents of Powder Mill Road are making it clear they do not want sewers.
The residents crowded a meeting of the Sewer Implementation Committee (SIC) earlier this month and their voices were heard when the Committee voted 5-1 to recommend a new version of Phase II sewers.
The SIC previously recommended option Alternate A to the Board of Selectmen. This option included bringing sewers down Powder Mill to a new pump station that would allow residents of the street – as well as neighboring streets – to hook up to the sewer. This option eliminated a betterment fee to all residents and instead replaced it with a connection fee, which would be charged only to residents if and when they connected to the sewer.
The SIC was unsure of what the cost would be, but estimated it could be $15,000-$25,000.
JOSEPH J. DEEDY.
After hearing the residents’ arguments, the SIC approved recommending another option, which would connect only the school campus. The town has a mandated deadline of December, 2018 to get the schools on sewers.
This week, Powder Mill residents came out again to the Selectmen meeting to share their concerns with the Board.
Resident Susan Drapeau spoke on behalf of her neighbors and thanked the SIC for listening. She also said communication on the topic has been poor.
“None of us were notified about this,” Drapeau said of the SIC meeting when the vote was taken. “We heard about it by reading the paper so we went to the next meeting and they listened to us and voted 5-1 in favor of the residents.”
Drapeau said residents simply cannot afford sewers.
“People are fearful they’re going to have to leave their homes,” she said. “This is going to price us out of staying in Southwick.”
DOUG MOGLIN
Drapeau said besides the cost to connect, the sewer rates would double the residents’ water and sewer bill.
“It makes no sense to us when there is the option of just doing the schools,” she said.
Selectmen Chairman Joseph Deedy said he understood the struggle firsthand.
“My family has property on Powder Mill Road, so it affects me, too,” Deedy said, getting emotional while speaking.
Selectman Russell Fox said because the SIC already presented a recommendation to the Board, it had to go back and meet again.
Fox also noted that the current Board is very fiscally aware.
“I think you’ve got one of the most conservative boards here,” he said.
The group discussed other financial commitments facing the town, and Fox said there is a lot to consider coming up in the near future. It was also discussed that because the last town census has the population at just under 10,000, the town is eligible for a 25-percent grant toward the cost of the sewer project. This is likely the last year the population will be under 10,000.
Drapeau said there would be other opportunities for funds but Selectman Douglas Moglin noted that towns and cities with populations of 10,000-60,000 compete for the same dollars.
“It seems like it’s putting the cart before the horse,” Drapeau said.
“It is,” said Deedy, “but that’s the difference between the government and what you and I do every day.”
Drapeau closed with saying that she had confirmed everyone on the street is against the sewers there.
“Not one resident was in favor of this,” she said, adding they “know the schools need it.”
SIC Chairman Jerry Patria told the Board Alternate A was not going to be approved.
“It seems that this is doomed to fail,” he said. “We’re at a dilemma how to do this and keep everyone happy.”
Deedy said he was unsure whether the project would be eligible for grants if only the schools were connected.
The Board agreed to schedule a working session with the SIC to discuss its options.
