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Oct 16, 2024

Livermore Falls board approves two expenses two for sewer treatment plant needs

A manhole is below the existing grade of the pump station wet well, needs to be raised to make it more relient to flood events and a fire hydrant needs to be replaced. You are able to gift 5 more

A manhole is below the existing grade of the pump station wet well, needs to be raised to make it more relient to flood events and a fire hydrant needs to be replaced.

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LIVERMORE FALLS — At the Oct. 1 meeting, selectmen approved spending no more than $4,000 to replace a manhole cover at the sewer treatment plant and up to $7,000 to replace a fire hydrant, with funds coming from the reserve account.

Livermore Falls selectmen at their Oct. 1 meeting approved two expenditures for the sewer treatment plant. Pictured from left during the meeting are Selectmen Bruce Peary, Jim Long, William Kenniston, Jeffrey Bryant and John Barbioni. File photo/Livermore Falls Advertiser

“Just outside of the treatment plant across the walking path to the pump station the wet well, we had a new valve hole put in and there was a hatch cover on that,” Jay/Livermore Falls Sewer Superintendent Mark Holt said. “We are replacing that hatch cover and that hatch cover is going to be available to use somewhere else. We would like to use it on the manhole that is now below grade, prone to flooding.”

Holt said it would still be prone to severe floods, but would like to raise the elevation of it by three and a half feet, put the hatch cover over it. “To do that, we need a foundation base to set it on,” he noted. “I have checked with seven different vendors. Concrete Co. can pour a base for us. I believe they can do the job for well under $4,000 but I want to leave it up to $4,000 in case something goes wrong.”

Holt said T. Buck, the contractor for the sewer treatment plant upgrade will be excavating, has offered to do the excavation and placement of all the stone free of charge.

“We have already delivered about 10 yards of stone that we went down and got from Pidacks,” Holt stated. “That is what they will be using to make the base.”

Holt said Jay approved their portion of the expense last week, conditionally on Livermore Falls approving theirs. “I think it is our most cost effective means to raise that manhole up to grade,” he noted.

Regarding the fire hydrant, Holt said it is used near the secondary clarifiers. “That hydrant is broken,” he stated. “We have to shut off the entire plant water system headed to the south side of the plant when we want to use it, turn the system back on when we want to turn the hydrant on. We can’t get parts for it to repair it. It is 25 years old.”

The contractor has offered to do the work on a time and materials basis outside of the project, Holt said. “They have given us a budget price,” he noted. “I would like to have you approve from the reserve account up to $7,000 to replace that hydrant and the shut off that goes to it.”

This just came up last week, Holt said, he needs to go to the Jay Select Board for approval.

“The contractor graciously offered to provide their services,” Holt stated. “Since they are going to be right in that area digging anyway, they will replace that while they are in the same trench most likely. There are a few things that could go wrong, that is why I have built a little contingency into that.”

Holt anticipates it will cost quite a bit less than $7,000 but wants to be prepared in case wires are hit. Drawings from the last plant upgrade aren’t completely accurate, he added.

Chair William Kenniston asked if the hydrant runs off of town water.

“Nope, this is running off plant water,” Holt replied.

Selectman Jim Long asked if it was the sewer plant’s responsibility.

Holt said yes, it has nothing to do with the town’s water supply, is a totally different system. The hydrant is used to wash down the clarifiers, he noted. “The cost will be shared with the town of Jay,” he added.

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