Sewer Commission Reorganizes Leadership, Reviews Budget Adjustments
Bettencourt elected chairman, Bickel vice chair as commission prepares for annual town meeting
RAYNHAM - May 8 - The Raynham Sewer Commission reorganized its leadership during its monthly meeting on May 8, electing Joseph Bettencourt as chairman and Joe Bickel as vice chair.
The reorganization took place at the beginning of the meeting, with both votes passing unanimously. The commission then moved on to review department operations and budget adjustments ahead of the upcoming annual town meeting.
Superintendent Rob Pacheco presented his monthly report, highlighting several ongoing projects and maintenance activities within the department.
"We have had four connections to the sewer system since our last meeting," Pacheco said. "The guys have now completed changing all bearing and seal wheels for all the Gorman-Rupp pumps. So 68 in total were serviced."
The department has also serviced 27 generators, excluding seven new generators and one at Route 44 which has a separate service contract. Wet well cleaning is scheduled to begin the first week of June, an annual maintenance procedure to remove debris and sludge.
A significant update involves the installation of a new pump at one location with an improved air release system designed to reduce clogging and reprime issues.
"The old system utilized a 1-inch pipe and valve which had potential to clog up with debris not allowing the pump to purge air and resulting in pump failure," Pacheco explained. "The new system, while it utilizes a 1-inch pipe to air, ensures it runs through a channel designed to keep larger debris contained within the pump."
The department is serving as a test site for this new pump technology, with the superintendent noting that "so far so good" with no issues reported since installation.
Pacheco also updated the commission on the after-generator project, which is nearing completion. The contractor is scheduled to return to address items on the punch list, with completion expected by mid-May.
Eight surplus generators will be put up for auction on Gov Deals, though no auction date has been set. These include seven generators that were replaced and one that has been in storage for approximately five years.
The Route 44 Pump Control Project is moving forward, with the commission authorizing Pacheco to sign the contract with low-bid contractor Farada Electric. The construction oversight proposal from Taunton was not received in time for the meeting and will be addressed at a future date.
The superintendent also detailed several ongoing infrastructure projects in town that involve or affect the sewer department, including:
- Gas main relocation work continuing on Route 138
- North Raynham Water District replacing water mains on Britain Street
- Mill Street roadway project resuming after utility pole relocations
- Upcoming road resurfacing on Elm Street East, Hall Street, Ian Street, and Robinson Street
- West Pine Estates development work beginning on Pine Street
Pacheco provided an update on the department's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which has been adjusted due to contract negotiations with the union.
"Our total budget after that will be $3,106,364," Pacheco said. "It's a 1.87% increase from last year."
The budget will be presented at the annual town meeting on May 19 at the Raynham Middle School as two separate articles. Article 7 will request $3,091,448, while Article 8 will request an additional $14,916 to cover the union contract increases.
"When I originally proposed my budget to you, I was carrying 3%, not knowing what they were going to be getting for a contract raise," Pacheco explained. "They had to take that back out because the contract was not agreed upon yet."
The commission voted unanimously to accept the adjusted budget figure of $3,106,364.
Three articles submitted by the Sewer Commission will appear on the town meeting warrant, with two additional articles related to the department submitted by the Board of Selectmen and one by the finance director.
These include Article 11, which addresses sewer debt payments from the betterment fund, and Article 21, which requests a transfer of $125,000 from the sewer enterprise fund for a truck purchase.
The commission also agreed to reschedule its June meeting from Thursday, June 12, to Wednesday, June 11, at 6 p.m. to accommodate scheduling conflicts. The meeting will return to its regular Thursday schedule in July.
"We're letting people know via cable show that next month's meeting is going to be on June 11. It's a Wednesday, that's a day earlier than we normally would do it," Bettencourt said.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of the Raynham Channel.
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