Residents of the Peases Point and Hollywoods Road neighborhood were invited to a public presentation hosted by the Mattapoisett Sewer Department on March 29 to learn about possible sewer expansion into the beach community.
What they received was a shocking revelation, as construction estimates were high above expectations by thousands of dollars – $75,000 per home before interest. Total estimate: $7,500,000.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld introduced lead engineer Ian Meade of Tighe and Bond, who gave the audience of about 50 people specific information on methods and placement of equipment and piping for the sewer expansion that would service 104 residences. They were told that a new pump station would need to be located near the Second Street area, that piping would be placed in the public right-of-way and be primarily gravity fed with grinder pumps needed for Euclid Avenue and Bay Shore Drive due to their elevation.
Renauld went over the construction sequencing, noting that any damages to landscaping or structures would be covered by the contractor’s insurance policies and that after the installation of three miles of piping, the extension would be retrofitted to an existing sewer line installed across beach areas and previously prepared for this new sewer expansion.
About midway through the presentation, the cost estimates were disclosed. Meade said that residents would pay $75,000 and up to $95,000 with interest payments over 20 years. There was a bit of stunned silence in the Fire Station training room.
Renauld explained that he had only very recently learned of the cost estimates and said that had he known earlier, he might not have held the public-information meeting. He estimated that each homeowner would pay $4,786 per year.
The reality of the expansion costs pivoted the discussion away from expansion to whether or not it is more prudent to tie into the municipal system or install a new, denitrification septic system acceptable to new Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection requirements being rolled out to coastal communities in the commonwealth and soon to become a state regulation (estimated implementation: Summer 2023.)
Renauld said that it was unclear if denitrification systems now available would meet the updated DEP standards and that those systems came in around $45,000 before adding in maintenance and other costs such as electrical usage. All attendees seemed somewhat overwhelmed at the price tag. He further stated that there are only two companies in the commonwealth that are currently licensed to sell denitrification systems.
Dan Chase, chairman and longtime member of the Water and Sewer Commission, said, “[costs] were half this much two years ago … we were unhappy.” He went on to say, “We’ve never seen prices like this.” Renauld stated, “If we knew it was going to come in this high, we may not have had this meeting.”
Regarding next steps, the group was told that postcards designed to gauge public interest have been mailed to them. Renauld said that two-thirds or 69 homeowners would need to agree to the expansion before it could be brought to Town Meeting.
Renauld reminded the residents that the plan had always been to expand the Peases Point sewer line recently installed across the barrier beach into the neighborhood, as residents were interested in tying-in at that time. “You asked us for this project, the majority was for it,” he said.
A few voices rose, saying that these costs would force people out of their homes. Chase responded gravely, “There’s always people that are burdened.”
One resident asked, “What happens if we wait ’till this is forced on us?” Renauld said, “We have a pipe waiting for you; if five years from now you want it, contact us.” But all were reminded that escalating costs needed to be weighed into their decision.
Mattapoisett Sewer Department
By Marilou Newell