Town of Provincetown

Meeting of the

Water & Sewer Board

 

Wednesday, December 8, 2004

 

Grace Gouveia Building, 26 Alden Street, Provincetown

 

Members present:  Jonathan Sinaiko, Chair; Anne Lord; Sacha Richter

 

Members absent:  John Ciluzzi (unexcused)

 

Other attendees:

DPW Staff Sandra Turner, Dana Faris; Health Agent Jane Evans; Environmental Partners Group staff Wayne C. Perry; members of the public and press.

 

Call to Order

Mr. Sinaiko called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.

 

Public Hearing on Revisions to Sewer Rules and Regulations

Mr. Sinaiko opened the hearing by asking the Health Agent to describe briefly the nature of the proposed changes and the reason for same.  Ms. Evans spoke of the need to prevent grease from getting into the sewer system and thereby compromising the integrity of the system.  The two major changes are (1) mandatory installation of grease trap monitors and (2) a provision for the imposition of fines.  Ms. Evans also announced that the Board of Health is adopting grease trap monitors for its regulations.  Mr. Sinaiko then opened up the hearing to members of the public. 

Napi Van Dereck, who is the owner of the Flagship restaurant property, stated that he intends to discontinue a restaurant use at this location and convert the property to residential use.  He asked whether the betterment he has been assessed could be reduced when the property converts to residential and was advised that while changes of use are permitted as long as Title V flow doesn’t increase, there cannot be any reduction of the betterment assessed. 

Mr. Dieu Tran, owner of the Chinese restaurant at 179 Commercial St., spoke against the proposed amendments, arguing that grease traps are unnecessary. 

After some discussion by the Board, Ms. Lord moved, seconded by Mr. Richter, to adopt the revisions as published in the Banner on December 16, 2004 and December 22, 2004.  The motion carried by a vote of 3-0.

Approval of Minutes

The Board was presented with draft minutes of the meeting of November 23.  Ms. Lord moved, seconded by Mr. Sinaiko, to approve the minutes as printed.  The motion carried 3-0.

 

Flow Revisions

100 Bradford St.– 11-3-076.  Mr. Faris explained that this property, the former Advocate building, originally had a flow of 310 based on 200 gpd for the office space and 110 gpd for a one-bedroom apartment.  A 2001 Zoning Board of Appeals decision allowed the office space to be converted to a two-bedroom dwelling unit.  However, due to a clerical error, the change in flow was incorrect on the Town’s records.  Ms. Lord moved, seconded by Mr. Sinaiko, to revise the flow for this property from 310 gpd to 330 gpd and to assess a revised betterment to the owner.  The motion carried 3-0.

 

Letter to Properties Not Connected

Mr. Faris presented the Board with a list of 57 properties—30 of which are so-called “blue dots”—that have thus far failed to connect to the sewer, together with a draft letter to be sent threatening imposition of fines if the owner doesn’t contact the Sewer Team within 21 days with the name of the contractor who has been engaged to complete the connection.  Mr. Richter moved, seconded by Mr. Sinaiko, to send this letter out forthwith.  The motion carried by a vote of 3-0.

 

Adjournment

There being no other business to come before the board, Mr. Richter moved, seconded by Mr. Sinaiko, to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 3-0, and the meeting was adjourned at 3:57 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

_________________________

Sacha Richter, Clerk