At the November, 2015 Town Meeting, Article 24 was passed by an overwhelming margin. It advised the Selectmen to create a policy regarding Town ownership and/or maintenance of the 700 grinder pumps required to be installed as part of the Little Pond Sewer Service Area project.
On March 21, 2016, the Selectmen heard a presentation made by Amy Lowell, Acting Wastewater Superintendent, detailing and discussing 4 options. See below for relevant links including the link to the full 11 page slide presentation.
The Selectmen encourage members of the public to share their thoughts and opinions on what should be included and excluded from the grinder pump policy by emailing them at selectmen@falmouthmass.us or writing to them at Falmouth Town Hall, Falmouth, MA 02540. The next discussion by the Selectmen is expected at their meeting on April 18, 2016.
Key components of the 4 options are listed here.
“Option 1 – Property Owner Responsible for Pump Maintenance
• No maintenance cost to property owner for warranty period (5 years), unless abuse or failure to install or operate properly.
Option 2 – Extended warranty
• Town has requested proposal and pricing for extended warranty (10 or even 20 years).
Option 3 – Additional Financial Support
• Town could provide additional financial support to offset maintenance cost. – One time lump sum payment after unit installed/inspected/permit closed out.
Option 4 – Contract Maintenance
• This option would provide grinder pump owners with maintenance service at no cost, except in case of abuse or failure to responsibly install or operate the pump. Town would manage maintenance contract, instead of individual homeowners communicating with pump representative over warranty service.”
See the Enterprise article regarding the November, 2015 Town Meeting, “Town Will Assume Responsibility For Maintaining Grinder Pumps”.
See the Enterprise article about the March 21, 2016 Board of Selectmen discussion: “Selectmen Weigh Options for Grinder Pump Policy”.