January 8, 2016: The Enterprise reported that the installation of the grinder pumps will begin in the Spring. See: http://www.capenews.net/falmouth/news/grinder-pump-installation-to-begin-in-spring/article_eff0ae5e-fc6c-5586-8878-92c02ebea77e.html
February 26, 2016: The Enterprise reported an announcement at the Selectmanâs Meeting that âPlumbers will receive certification with grinder pump trainingâ. See: http://www.capenews.net/falmouth/news/grinder-pump-training-scheduled-for-next-week/article_b819ebd7-ae68-575c-9fed-25c91e64cf89.html
March 7, 2016: The Board of Selectmen discussed the grinder pump policy to be established as a result of the November, 2015 Town Meeting approval of Article 24 to âestablish a policy wherein: the grinder pumps installed in the Little Pond Sewer Service Area (LPSSA) will remain the property of the Town; and the means by which, and the length of the term over which, the Town will take the responsibility for ensuring the proper operation of these pumps. [sic. including] scheduled maintenance, all required repair and/or replacement, and the provision of emergency generator service during power outages.”
BOS Chairman Doug Jones asks that all residents express their opinions and share ideas with the Selectmen by emailing them at selectmen@falmouthmass.us.
Chairman Jones, Director of Public Works Ray Jack and Town Manager Julian Suso informally met to discuss possible policy options which were presented.
1. that the Town acquire grinder pumps (decided at previous Town Meeting)
2. that the pumps will be transferred to property owners with a 5 year warranty with an expected life of 15-20 years (decided at previous Town Meeting).
3. that the Town provide compensation of a lump sum partial payment to homeownersâ as reimbursement for installation costs after both the pump installation and septic system abandonment have passed inspection. The purpose is to âequalizeâ the cost paid by people required to install grinder pumps and those who have gravity fed systems.
4. that the Town consider procurement of annual maintenance contracts on behalf of the homeowner to maintain and fix the pumps. The cost of any issues caused by homeowner abuse would be borne by the homeowner. The contractor would be working with the manufacturer both during and after the warranty period and would provide a roving generator to pump as necessary when there is an electric failure. Selectman Moran asked what other towns do when there is a disagreement about an issue being homeowner abuse; further research needed.
There was also some discussion of the possibility of creating a committee to create a policy, an idea voiced by Chairman Jones on behalf of Joe Netto, co-sponsor of Article 24, who was absent. Mr. Jones explained that the process to announce, advertise and interview for a committee would take 6-7 weeks and that he hoped that the Selectmen, with input from the community, would be able to create a policy more quickly, in time for the Spring Town Meeting.
Mark Finneran, owner of properties in both Maravista and the Heights, believes that the original intent of Howard Grosserâs Town Meeting article is what should be done: the Town should âmaintain possessionâ. The Town decided to use grinder pumps to save money by not having to excavate the main sewer lines as deeply, but then is shifting the cost of installing and maintain an integral part of the sewer system (the pump) to the homeowner. In addition to the $16,000 betterment, there are substantial additional costs that will be, at present, borne by the pump owners. This is âunfairâ and âunjustâ. All the other MA towns requiring homeowners to use grinder pumps, but one, have provided pump installation, ongoing maintenance and replacement. Mr. Finneran was also concerned about the âdwell timeâ for houses that remain unoccupied.
Andy Dufresne, Heights homeowner and co-sponsor of Article 24, thanked the Selectmen for their consideration of studying the financial impact on many elderly residents who will be required to install grinder pumps. If there is a committee appointed, he suggested a Selectman, one of the Article co-sponsors, someone from the DPW, and a member of the community.
Chairman Jones stated again that his preference is to not delay the process by creating a committee. He is encouraging public input.
Mr. Jones also expressed his opinion that he would not support Town ownership of pumps located on private property, but would support doing everything possible to maintain and service them to make sure they are going to work during their lifetime.
Policy options will be put onto the Town website. As of March 12, 2016, there is no information posted yet. The most likely page should be either the Town Home Page at www.falmouthmass.us or on the LPSSA update page at http://www.falmouthmass.us/deppage.php?number=592
Also see Falmouth Enterprise, March 11, 2016: http://www.capenews.net/falmouth/news/board-begins-work-on-grinder-pump-policy/article_755279a0-195b-5477-87b8-a21a1319fd08.html