09-28-1998 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 (Orono Orchards Sanitary Sewer Project, continued) • Lill McMillan questioned whether the last two residences located on Lyman Avenue will be able to have gravity flow sewer due to the lowness of the land in that area. Kellogg stated that section of the project has been analyzed and the gravity flow system should work in that area. A resident inquired whether the $23,700 per unit was the actual cost of the project per residence. Kellogg stated bids have not been received yet and that figure is merely a rough estimate of the projected costs. Mayor Jabbour commented the City Council in the past has attempted to find various means of allocating the costs of the project equitably to each resident, and has determined that the best way of allocating the costs of the project are to assess what the City feels is a reasonable cost for the services provided. Mayor Jabbour stated an assessment hearing will be held once the actual bids are received for this project and the costs will be assessed at that time. Jane Delaney, 130 Woodhill Avenue, stated she has spoken with Mr. Gappa about this project and was told that there were other options that could be explored instead of installing a gravity flow system. Delaney inquired whether the possibility of lift stations being utilized had been explored at all. Mayor Jabbour stated it was his understanding that option had been ruled out. is Gappa remarked that grinder pumps are cheaper, but the majority of the residents had requested a gravity flow system. Mayor Jabbour explained that with a grinder pump system, the water gravitates to the deepest hole where it enters a large container in the property owner's basement and then is pumped to the City's sanitary sewer system. A resident inquired about the accuracy of the data collected, noting that her system was cited as failing, when in fact it is fine. Gaffron stated that sewer systems can be functioning fine one day and then a few days later could be found to be failing. Gaffron remarked that he was not sure what Steve Weckman, the Septic Inspector, found. Mayor Jabbour commented that the assessed costs can be put on the tax roll and paid over a ten or fifteen year period of time rather than in a lump sum at the time of installation if the resident so chooses. Kellogg stated all residences in this neighborhood will be hooked up to the City's sanitary sewer system. McMillan inquired whether a resident has the option of hooking up to the sanitary sewer at a later time if their system is functioning properly at the time the project is commenced. Page 2