Rockland Town Clerk 06.10.2020 @ 1:55 PM

Town of Rockland
SEWER COMMISSION
Post Office Box 330
MASSACHUSETTS 02370
Tel. 781.878.1964
Fax. 781.871.1909

Walter Simmons, Commissioner
Ronald Savicke, Commissioner
Charles Heshion, Commissioner
John Loughlin, Superintendent

Rockland Sewer Commissioners Meeting
January 30, 2020

Motion made by Ron Savicke, 2nd by Charles Heshion begin Commissioners meeting at 4:00
PM January 30, 2020. All in favor 3-0.
In Attendance: Walter Simmons, Ron Savicke, Charles Heshion, John Loughlin via telephone,
Robyn Day, Rick Kotouch (Suez), Jonathan Mongie (Suez), Carl Garvey, David Farrell, Julie
Schaffer, Steve Cardilli, Mary A. Parsons, Nancy Asplund, Kevin Asplund, Joe Delprete, Derek
Delprete, John Cavanaro, Kayla MacLeod, Sullivan & Comerford, PC; Matt Dacey, Champion
Builders; Samantha Murphy, Anthony Tanzi, Christine Delprete, Jack Egan.
Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting
Motion made by Ron Savicke, 2nd by Charles Heshion to approve minutes of previous
meeting. All in favor 3-0.
365 Concord Street
Attorney Kayla MacLeod, representing the developer, Champion Builders – looking to develop
40 single family (4) bedroom homes. The Planning Board advised them to seek approval for
the project from the Sewer Board of Commissioners.
The connection would be on Concord Street where there is currently a 6” connection. Is there
capacity to move forward with the project?
John Loughlin – We’re close to capacity. If we agreed to 40 units with 3.5 bedrooms, the fees
would be:
$5,000.00 development fee per unit
$50.00 permit fee per unit
* Remediation Fee

* 15,400 gallons per day for 140 bedrooms @ 10.00 per gallon

200,000
2,000
154,000
$356,000

 Chuck Heshion to Rick Kotouch (Suez) – Are you comfortable with the additional flow?
Rick Kotouch – We’re comfortable with the capacity.
Matt Dacey – When are fees due and payable?
John Loughlin – We would like some of the money up front.
Matt Dacey – We can’t give you a date until the project is approved.
John Loughlin – The Board would have to approve the payment plan.
Chuck Heshion – Time frame?
Matt Dacey – We’ve reviewed preliminary plans with Zoning, Planning and Water. If approved
today, we will move forward to get in front of the Planning Board.
Chuck Heshion – Ball park to finalize?
Matt Dacey – Looking for a positive today, then we will file within 45 days. 30 days to start the
project after that.
Chuck Heshion – We can use the fees.
John Loughlin – Engineer would need to review the plan. You may have to convert back to 8”.
40 units at 3.5 bedrooms is what the fees are based on.
Motion made by Ron Savicke, 2nd by Charles Heshion to accept the plan for 40 units at 3.5
bedrooms each. All in favor 3-0.
33 Summer Street – Nancy & Kevin Asplund
Nancy Asplund explained how when they had their irrigation system installed, the water line to
the pool was damaged and created a leak. She provided documentation that the leak was
repaired and the water wasted was not discharged into the sewer system.
An abatement of $1,962.50 would bring her bill down to match the usage of her previous bills,
as displayed in her account history.
Motion made by Ron Savicke, 2nd by Charles Heshion to approve abatement amount of
$1,962.50. All in favor 3-0.
Beechwood Village – David Farrell, Steve Cardilli and Julie Schaffer
David Farrell – Beechwood Village is a 55+ adult community. 55 units were built and tied in,
then the developer went bankrupt. The owners are currently in litigation with Alliance Credit

 Union to determine who has the rights to build the remaining units. They are very close to
settling the court case. There are (2) options, pending the outcome of the case.
Option 1 is that Beechwood would win the land and development rights.
Option 2 is that Alliance Credit Union would win the development rights.
The Town of Rockland never sought a bond to protect the residents when the developer went
bankrupt. The roads were never completed. If Beechwood wins, they would like to fix the
roads with any revenue generated from the sale of the lots.
David Farrell met with John Loughlin on October 31, 2020 and he understands the 2006
moratorium and the fees. The lots were approved in 2005 prior to the moratorium.
He is seeking evidence that the stubs are in place and would like the Sewer Board of
Commissioners to provide him with a letter stating that:
(1) the sewer connections are in place at the property line and (2) that they are not affected by
the moratorium.
(2) 79 lots were approved; 55 were developed, leaving 24 units to be built.
Beechwood has plans that show a stub at each lot.
John Loughlin – If we provide a letter, it would state that the owner/developer would be
responsible for the location and condition of the stubs.
David Farrell – If Beechwood wins as landowners and developers, they would seek to develop
only enough lots to generate enough revenue to build the roads, approximately 10-12 lots.
If Alliance wins the development rights, they would seek to develop all 24 lots.
If the Sewer Dept. agrees to only so many lots, Beechwood would develop the amount
approved.
If Alliance wins, would the moratorium go with the lots or the developer?
Chuck Heshion – If we provide the letter, we would make it contingent upon receiving a copy of
the court order. Again, it would also state that the owner/developer would be responsible for
the location and condition of the stubs.
Mary A. Parsons – Was capacity set aside (9) years ago when they were approved? In 2005,
when approved, we were at 3.0 M gallons per day capacity. Now we’re at 2.5 M gpd capacity.
In 2005, the Water Dept was sued by 16 developers who wanted to force the Water Dept. to
give them hookups. They lost, when the court sided with the Water Dept.
David Farrell – Of the 55 units developed, many have only 1 occupant. Lots of residents go
south for the winter.

 John Loughlin – The project was approved prior to 2005.
Mary A. Parsons – Sewer extension permit is not required, so it does not have to go to DEP.
Motion made by Ron Savicke, 2nd by Charles Heshion to provide letter pending receipt of
court order – to include “the owner/developer would be responsible for the location and
condition of the stubs”. All in favor 3-0.
23 Winding Way – Allyson Every
Allyson Every explained how when she vacated her home for an extended period to care for an
ailing relative, her water tank failed and was running continuously for 3 months. When she
discovered the problem, her basement was in 2-3 inches of water.
John Loughlin visited the home and saw that there was a “legal” sump pump. He determined
that the water from the leaking water tank never entered our sewer system.
She had the water tank replaced and provided documentation of same.
An abatement of $3,594.00 would bring her bill down to match the usage of her previous bills
as displayed in her account history.
The amount in question has gone into lien and turned over to the Town Treasurer. Ms. Every
would like us to provide a letter to the Treasurer to have the amount removed from the lien
amount.
Ms. Every will be provided a copy of the letter, as well.
Motion made by Ron Savicke, 2nd by Charles Heshion to approve abatement amount of
$3,594.72 and to provide a letter to the Town Treasurer stating the same. All in favor 3-0.
91 Dexter Road
Carl Garvey – Carl Garvey of C.W. Garvey, representing Jonathan Kievman. We are proposing a
roadway improvement plan to tie potential lots 2 and 3 on existing property at 91 Dexter Road
into the town sewer system. The lots exist on a paper street. There is an 8” line on the
easement between Dexter and Butternut. We are proposing to have a manhole installed on
the easement.
John Loughlin previously wrote a letter to the Planning Board.
These are existing lots that are shown on Map 52 in the Assessor’s records for at least the last
20 years. The road was originally approved/designed in 1952. We are proposing to improve
the right of way.

 Carl Garvey has a certified letter from the Assessor stating that the lot is pre-existing and nonconforming. It is classified as an estate lot. 5.18 acres with another section of 32,000 sf.
They are estimating a start time of next Spring for the project.
John Loughlin – How far into the easement will the manhole go?
Carl Garvey – half-way between the lots, running parallel to Dexter Road.
John Loughlin – I’m good with it.
Carl Garvey – I will leave a copy of the plan.
Motion made by Ron Savicke, 2nd by Charles Heshion to approve the plans. All in favor 3-0.
Comprehensive Study Update
Chuck Heshion – Interviews are scheduled for next Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Chuck
Heshion, Rick Kotouch and Ed McAuliffe will conduct the interviews. John Loughlin will
participate via telephone.
Chuck Heshion – I don’t think $100k is enough to cover the cost. I would estimate it to be
$130-140k. $100k was approved in 2005. The cost of the study has probably gone up over the
last 15 years.
John Loughlin – The account that was approved was not a dedicated fund. Money in that
account was used for other engineering fees.
Chuck Heshion – Article 56 – Approved in 2006 for a “Comprehensive Waste Water Study.”
John Loughlin – The 2005 Phosphorous Study was done with the funds and engineering fees.
Moratorium Discussion
Chuck Heshion – I’m worried about capacity issues. 2005 EPA says we violated the flow
capacity 46% of the time. Since then, we have been in violation 48% of the time and 52% since
2017.
Sewer Board voted for a moratorium that was approved in 2006. We applied for a NPDES
Permit at that time. Since 2012 the Board has approved 172 new users and have never refused
a permit.
In our response to the new permit, we sent in a Corrective Action to the EPA. We didn’t do
what we told the EPA we would do. Our biggest constraint is French’s Stream. We can’t now
approach North River Watershed since we also told them that we were going to do a facility
study. They are going to ask why did it take 15 years?.

 Collateral damage – DEP dropped the ball dropped the ball, as far as, being the EPA’s
enforcement officer and we’ve been lucky so far.
Kudo’s to Suez and John.
If we apply for a new permit, we have to go to the public. 46-52% of the time, we are over
capacity. Our sewer re-build will run $30 million. The town has approved a new high school
and a new elementary school. We should have asked the town for the $ in 2007, 2008, 2009.
It’s $400 per household for the new school. Residents will freak. The new sewer plant will cost
residents another $150 per household on top of the current increase.
I’m concerned that EPA enforcement will subject us to fines if we don’t start moving on this
because we know we are violating the permit . Bottom line, we need to tighten up the
moratorium.
Chuck Heshion to Suez – If you even think that we can’t handle capacity….. for example, 0 Pond
Street (I won’t vote for it unless we come up with some actions) you need to speak up; we rely
on you.
I’m right.
Mary A. Parsons – You are.
Chuck Heshion – I propose we double the fees for tying in new users. We can’t keep up with
the rainfall anymore, broken pipes, 60 year old infrastructure, roots, trees, etc. Looking to
Suez.
It will really hurt if we have to ask the town for $40 million. Residents will wonder why we
didn’t do the study in 2005. What happened over the last 15 years?
John Loughlin – The study wasn’t going to do anything for the infra-structure.
Chuck Heshion – No, but we would have been 15 years ahead and now dealing with the
infrastructure Who will answer to the residents?
Chuck Heshion to Walter – You’re the Chair.
Mary A. Parsons to Chuck Heshion – Sewer Commissioners make the decision, not the Board
of Selectmen. John Loughlin works for the Sewer Commission, not Town Hall.
Chuck Heshion – $125.00 per linear foot to replace pipe and we have 60 miles of pipe . We
also need to upgrade this facility. We dug ourselves into a hole. Commissioners are
responsible for this mess.
Mary A. Parsons – I’ve dealt with DEP. Southfield needs sewerage; that might help us.
Chuck Heshion – I’ve spoken to Tom Henderson about sewer. We still need to deal with our
2.5 limit on capacity.

 Mary A. Parsons – Only one spot to build a water treatment facility in Southfield. $70 million
in 2008 dollars to build it.
It might be cheaper for us to bail them out.
John Loughlin – Nothing the base does can increase our capacity.
Chuck Heshion – We need to come up with a moratorium that tightens up new development.
Mary A. Parsons – You can’t pick and choose what projects you approve.
Chuck Heshion – I’m all done with my input on this matter but we have to continue the
dialogue.
Mary A. Parsons to Chuck Heshion – I have more to send you.
Rick Kotouch – We know we have (2) problems; major I&I issues and the plant needs to be
upgraded.
Jonathan Mongie – Spoke to methods to remediate/reduce flow; it could run several hundred
thousand dollars to remediate.
Chuck Heshion – Is there a way we can put in a $200k article and request the Town assist in
I&I?
Jonathan Mongie – was flow metering conducted?
John Loughlin – Flow metering was conducted through-out the town. Sub basins with high
Inflow & Infiltration problems were identified. Work was conducted in these areas to reduce
Inflow & Infiltration. Inflow & Infiltration remediation is always a work in progress.
Jonathan Mongie – Was the 12” pipe that runs under or through the pond inspected?
John Loughlin – The condition of the 12” pipes that goes through are like brand new.
Jonathan Mongie – We always have to look at rainwater. Taunton was over capacity for 12month rolling average.
Lots of times, manholes are the problems. One manhole rehab can save up to 10,000 gallons
per day.
Does the town have a sump pump inspection program?
John Loughlin – Yes. The program is in its infancy. We may look at home sales to trigger the
inspections. We’ve had only 7 refusals out of 1,000 inspections.
Jonathan Mongie – Do you check soft pipe vs. hard pipe?

 John Loughlin – Yes. Soft pipes can be re-routed right back into the sewer system after the
inspection.
Jonathan Mongie – Have you done any smoke testing?
John Loughlin – I’m not a big fan in a residential area.
Jonathan Mongie – I would recommend that you do point repairs on pipes.
John Loughlin – We’ve been doing that for 15 years.
Jonathan Mongie – Sometimes when you fix a joint, the problem migrates the problem to the
next joint.
Jonathan Mongie to Chuck Heshion – What’s your goal?
Chuck Heshion – Infrastructure of the plant 1st. I can put together a scope for “Request for
Engineering Services”. Can I just write the contracts?
John Loughlin – It’s a catch-22. Either we get $ from development or we raise the sewer rates
to cover remediation.
Rick Kotouch – 2021 for permit. 0 Pond Street will give us $1.5 million in remediation. We
need to fix the pump station at Old Country Way.
John Loughlin – If we have a shovel-ready project, the developer can pay up front or pay for
the remediation work to be done.
The developer at 0 Pond Street may pay for remediation up front.
Chuck Heshion – 0 Pond Street might have problems with the Town of Norwell also.
Mary A. Parsons – No one has the capacity to move forward; Weymouth, Norwell or Rockland.
Rick Kotouch – Looking at $30,000. for the Old Country Way Pump Station generator.
Mary A. Parsons – $30,000 does not have to go to capital planning.
Rick Kotouch – 2.7 gallons per day is the anticipated flow for January. Rolling average is still
2.5. Our permit is monthly @ 2.5.
Chuck Heshion – We need to set up interviews (Facility Study) with John Loughlin, Rick
Kotouch, Ed McAuliffe and Chuck Heshion. The applicants will need to sell themselves.
Rick Kotouch – I’m nervous that the cost will be up to $200k for the Comprehensive
Engineering Study.
Chuck Heshion – I think it will be more like $130 – 150K.

 Chuck Heshion to Rick Kotouch – Is Sean retiring? Can we keep him on P/T? We would be
open to amending our contract.
Chuck Heshion – The general public doesn’t know that the Sewer Dept. funds itself, so the
taxpayers have not really been impacted as much as they think.
Mary A. Parsons – 49 votes passed the school.
Article for Town Meeting Discussion
No Discussion
Drain Layer License Approvals
Motion made by Ron Savicke, 2nd by Charles Heshion to approve. All in favor 3-0.
Motion made by Ron Savicke, 2nd by Charles Heshion to end the meeting at 5:40 PM.
approve. All in favor 3-0.