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| By Erin O'Connor Staff Writer AGAWAM - The Ad Hoc Concerned Citizens for Sewers Committee had a meeting on Feb. 8 to discuss new information on developing a sewage system for residential homes that currently have septic tanks. "It is an informational meeting. We are trying to figure out how we are going to resolve this issue," Jack Stone, director of the Department of Public Works said to Reminder Publications. The issue that Stone speaks of involves failing septic systems in the southwest section of Agawam. Officials are working on shifting these residents from septic to a sewage line that is planned to be constructed along Route 57. "There is one more hurdle involving Route 57 and we are hoping to clear it up within 60 days," Joseph Mineo, the City Councilor heading the project, said. The hurdle involves the location for the sewage system and its approval from the Mass Highway Department. "At this point we haven't been assured that we will have the permission of the Mass Highway," Stone said. "Due to the type of road this is there are restrictions as to the type of work that can be utilized to limit the traffic impacts while the road is being done," Erik Abell spokesman for the Mass Highway Department said. "Right now we have our environmental certificate but we are trying to work out a location on the Route 57 corridor that will meet the requirements," Stone said. "As soon as that happens we will put it on the agenda to go to the City Council," Mineo added. "It has been a long process this type of infrastructure improvement. The last plan was from 1972 and that had to be redone." Currently the City and the Citizens are working with Tighe and Bonde on the $28 Million project. "It is one of the biggest infrastructure," Mineo said. "But there is a light at the end of the tunnel." "There are a great number of people who are looking forward to public sewers because they have had septic systems," Stone said. |