As Mattapoisett’s Capital Planning Committee nears the half way mark in the 2015 planning process they are also looking ahead to major expenditures in subsequent years. During the second in a series of meetings with department heads seeking to secure funding of expenses over $10,000, the committee met with Nick Nicholson, Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Department, and Fire Chief Andrew Murray.

Nicholson described water main rehabilitation projects for portions of Marion Road from Prospect Road to Aucoot Road. As detailed in his report this work is necessary to prevent further failures of the water lines in those areas, lines that were installed nearly 90 years ago. He discussed using a new process to clean the lines out and also installing new fire hydrants. Nicholson is asking the town for $315,000 in FY’15 for this work.

New sewer treatment equipment and rehabilitation of a digester were next on his list. This $71,600 request is Mattapoisett’s portion of new equipment and replacement components that Fairhaven needed to purchase. The total cost was $716,000 with Mattapoisett’s portion being 10%.

The need for purchasing more sewer capacity from Fairhaven was then discussed. Presently the town has 500,000 gallons, but Nicholson said considering future projections the town needed an additional 300,000 gallons that should suffice for the next 20 years. He has been meeting with Fairhaven sewer staff to discuss future needs and the associated costs. The estimate is $500,000. He expects to have a firmer figure by the end of March.

Radio water meter reading equipment has been a big success thus far he then explained. Nicholson said that they are discovering between 15 to 20 leaks per month that are costly for the homeowner and the town. Expansion of this system is needed he said with about 1100 new meters in place and another 1100 to go. He wrote in this report that ‘meters are the cash register for the water and sewer department’.

Two years ago the water department started testing new well prospects off Acushnet Road. The results have been favorable for building new wells in those locations he said. Nicholson stated that newer wells would help the town by insuring back-up water resources in the event of a well failure in another location.  He said that, “It is a task we need to do but I was taken back at the estimated cost.” He said the cost of the project might impact rates in the future. That estimate is $1,400,000. The cost includes completion of a three phase expansion project. Phase one was the just completed test wells, phase two is a complete rehabilitation and expansion of additional wells at specific pumping stations, and phase 3 the hiring of an engineer to prepare specifications for the design and installation of the permanent wells, pipe lines, design of a new building to house controls and chemical feed systems, and associated documentation for bid specifications.

And finally Nicholson requested $75,000 to replace the 1990 back hoe.

Next up was Chief Andrew Murray of the Fire Department. For FY’15 he is requesting $36,000 to replace an older Tahoe and $13,995 for repairs to engine 4. He also discussed a request on the spreadsheet that will fall in FY’16, $3.5 million for a new fire station. He said there are three scenarios that could be considered: 1) new fire station constructed behind the police station; 2) purchasing property on Barstow Street to expand in that direction, or 3) keep current building and building new at another location to house some fire fighting apparatus (two different locations). The first option is the one Murray is hoping the public is support. Not only is the land already available at the Route 6 location, it would also give the public one location for all public safety services. This solution would also give the fire personnel adequate space while also being large enough to house all the apparatus in one space with easy in out access for faster response time. He felt that if the town supports a new fire station it would satisfy the town’s needs for the next fifty years.

The Capital Planning Committee will be again on March 19 at 6 p.m. to discuss the needs of the Recreation Department, Harbormaster and local schools.

By Marilou Newell