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Reminder Assistant Editor AGAWAM On Feb. 19, the City Council heard the outcry of approximately 200 residents who demanded that the $31.2 million Feeding Hills Southwest Sewer Extension Project not proceed. Many also insisted that informational pamphlets and surveys be distributed to the those affected by the proposed project, explaining their financial obligations and the project's necessity. However, despite their insistence for this information the Department of Public Works (DPW) has only received a 17.3 percent response rate from the 871 surveys mailed to affected residents. "I don't know why people aren't returning them," City Councilor Joseph Mineo, also chair of the council's Ad-Hoc Sewer Committee, said. "I don't know what to think. Everything is so cloudy and unclear at this point." John Stone, superintendent of the DPW, explained that the results of the survey concluded that 15.2 percent were in favor of the project as proposed. Outcry from residents in February was prompted by the overwhelming cost of the project per household affected approximately $18,000 to be paid over a 20-year period. Additional costs include each household's hookup to the sewer system, the cost of filling in their septic tank and the possibility of grinder pump installation. According to information distributed to the 871 residents by the DPW, the recent opposition for the project was a far cry from the Feeding Hills residents of the 1970s, '80s and '90s who signed petitions urging the town to extend the sewer system. The town has since been able to break the project into four phases of the Sewer Extension Project and earmark funding for Phase 1 in the town's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Mayor Susan Dawson earmarked $7.8 million for Phase 1 under the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) Bonding Schedule of her FY09 - FY13 CIP. However, unlike previous years, there are no federal or state grants to offset expenses for these projects and the permitting processes are becoming increasingly difficult, Stone noted. Mineo said he has invited all of the state and federal legislators to the next Ad-Hoc Sewer Committee meeting on June 19 to discuss the slim possibility of receiving some kind of financial aid. City Councilor Donald Rheault, also a member of the Ad-Hoc Sewer Committee, explained that in the 1960s and '70s, federal and state grants absorbed approximately 80 percent of the cost of sewer construction. According to information released by the DPW, "The passage of 'Proposition 2 1/2' in November of 1980 severely restricted the town's ability to generate additional property revenue by increasing the property tax. There were insufficient funds available to pay for new sewer projects without drastic reductions in essential town services. The town decided at that time to fund all sewer projects through sewer use charges and betterment assessments. "The amount of assessment has increased first because there are not state or federal grants available to help fund the project. We have tried every avenue. The local community and its residents must bear the entire cost of this project." However, Rheault said he doesn't agree. "I have mixed emotions about the project," he explained. "I think it would be a priority for any government to meet the basic needs of the people [such as sewer access]. It's just too expensive and I'm not sure all other options have been looked at." Dawson explained that she is exploring the possibility of finding alternative means of assistance for those in high-need areas. She said she's like to allocate funds for Phase 1 of the project as they become available under the direction of the City Council. Stone noted that the town has spent approximately $333,000 for preliminary design proposals and has only a two-year Final Environmental Impact Certificate for the project. Approval of environmental reviews conducted under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act will expire on April 14, 2009. Stone said if the Southwest Feeding Hills Sewer Extension Project does not make progress soon, it is "doubtful" it ever will because of the short timeline and increasingly difficult environmental regulations. "I don't believe it [the project] will ever happen," Mineo said. "I don't think we'll be able to get through the permitting process next time." He added that despite the rigid timeline he will not push it through. "I do not support the project at all," he said. "I never supported it. All I am is the chairman of the [Ad-Hoc Sewer] Committee. I wouldn't want to pay that [amount of money] myself." The Ad-Hoc Sewer Committee will be meeting on June 19 at 7 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria. | ||||||
