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Sewer project to begin

LONGMEADOW Construction of Longmeadow's $4.3 million Wheelmeadow Brook sewer replacement project started in early July 2006 and will continue until September 2007.

The project involves the replacement of an old sewer pipeline system that was installed in the brook valley in the 1920s. Over the last 20 years, the old pipeline system has had operational problems, resulting in sewage discharges to the brook and adjacent wetland areas.

The replacement project will install new pipes in various streets so that the old sewer pipe in the brook valley can be plugged and abandoned in place. Streets where new sewers will be installed include Ely Road, Wheelmeadow Lane, Wheelmeadow Drive, Longmeadow Street, York Drive, Greenacre Avenue, Laurel Street and Dartmouth Street. Construction started on Ely Road and will proceed in an easterly direction, ultimately reaching Dartmouth Street.

The project also includes the replacement of old water mains on York Drive and Greenacre Avenue plus pipeline and pump station construction work on the campus of Bay Path College. Also, as part of the project, house service connections from the new water or sewer main will be replaced from the main to the tree belt. While not a part of the town's project, the Bay State Gas Company will be replacing old gas lines and services on some project streets to comprehensively update street utilities.

The overall project is financed by a $4,100,000 sewer appropriation and a $600,000 water appropriation. To help finance the project, the Longmeadow Select Board successfully applied for and received a two percent 20-year loan from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for the sewer work.

The Select Board and the Department of Public Works are managing the project with Tighe & bond, a Westfield consulting engineering firm, providing technical support and Bruschi Brothers, Inc. of Ludlow responsible for all construction work.

Periodic project updates will be provided on the town's web site. In addition, homeowners in the project area will see construction work approach their house at some point during the next year. Community officials recognize that construction work will temporarily impact homes along the project route. Residents are asked to be patient because portions of the project involve deep sewer construction on streets with numerous existing utilities. Some temporary construction impacts should be anticipated. When complete, the project will improve the community's sewer system and protect the wetland resources of Wheelmeadow Brook. In addition, the project will remove brook and groundwater from the sewerage system and have a positive impact on the overall operation of the sewerage system.

Specific project questions or concerning can be directed to the Department of Public Works or to Tighe & Bond at their local field office at 565-5116.