FAIRGROVE VILLAGE DPW COMMITTEE MINUTES

MAY 13, 2013

PRESENT:  T. Wassa, M. Couture, B. Phelps, D. Englehart

DPW Committee Meeting was called to order at 1:00pm

Discussion was held regarding the problem of storm water in general and its effects on the sanitary sewer system.  Basically, a bigger storm drain system is needed and should start with the mains.  The original proposal that was done approximately 15 years ago would double the size of the existing drains.  Also, D. Englehart previously tried to get the county drain extended to the village through the drain commission but was unable to get that approved.  That would alleviate some of the problem.

There is an ordinance on file regarding the illegal connection of sump pumps to the sanitary sewer system.  Discussion was held with various ideas of ways to bring residents into voluntary compliance with the existing ordinance. 

One idea is to get an accurate total of the average normal use per household, and then when there are overages to divide the cost of the overage among households that are in noncompliance with the ordinance.  Another idea is to increase the base rate charged quarterly for sewer to help offset overages and then offer a discount back to the current rate when residents show that they are in compliance by not contributing storm water to the sanitary sewer system.  Another option is using a storm water utility program in which an engineer determines each residence’s use that contributes to storm water runoff which is then charged to the resident.  It cannot be a flat rate.

T. Wassa presented information on a SAW grant that is available that is worth up to $2 million with a 10% village match or $500,000 with no match for disadvantaged communities.  Discussion was held about trying to do another census and income survey to change the village’s economic status with the state, but this has been tried before and there was not enough resident cooperation.  The village’s status with the state does not accurately reflect the current economic status of the residents.

The goal moving forward is to pursue the SAW grant, as well as work on compliance with the sump pump sewer connection ordinance through voluntary compliance procedures and/or inspectors.    

Respectfully Submitted,

Melissa Couture

Fairgrove Village Clerk