Town of Fairhaven

Board of Public Works

The Board of Public Works has 24 hour emergency service available. The phone number con-

necting all departments is 508-979-4030 which is staffed by the Board of Public Works Office during regular working hours which are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday and after hour calls are forwarded to an Answering Service. If you have an emergency, please give the following information: Your name, a tele-phone number where you may be reached, the address where the problem is and the nature of the call. Please note that if staff responds you may be charged for the persons time at a minimum of 3 hours.

News le t t e r Sp r ing/Summer 2018

RECYCLE CENTER—Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from April—December. Janu-ary—March Wednesday only 8:15—12:00 and last Sat-urday of the month weather permitting. Some items

have associated costs. Recycle Permits are available at the BPW Office, Monday thru Friday. The cost is $20.00 for residents, $10.00 for seniors, $400.00 for Landscapers. No out of town Landscapers are permitted. Permits for trucks with GVW 10,000-19,999 lbs. - $100.00, 20,000-35,000 $400.00. Dump trucks & pickup trucks with dump body & trailers with dump body $400. No vehicles over 35,000 or 15 cy. Proper ID and vehicle registration is required.

NPDES Permit After a lengthy negotiation process, the Town of Fairhaven en-tered into agreement with the United States EPA to comply with a new discharge per-mit which includes a not to exceed nitrogen limit. To reiterate from our last issue, ni-trogen removal from wastewater treatment facilities has only been the focus in re-

cent years as this parameter was not a concern when most wastewater plants, including Fairhaven’s, were being built. Excessive nitrogen at the treatment facility, which mostly derives from urine, can deplete oxy-gen levels and encourage algae growth in marine waters which are both ecologically harmful. Currently, we are upgrading some of the infrastructure at the treatment plant because (a) it needs it and (b) so the plant will be ready for the addition of a nitrogen removal process , if that is the route taken. Beginning in July 2018, we will be conducting an affordability analysis to ascertain various possibilities available to com-ply with our new discharge permit including, but not limited to, which type of treatment would work and be the most affordable for our residents. Shortly thereafter, following review of what the results yielded revealed, design of the selected option will begin. If it is decided to upgrade the treatment process, our agreement with the EPA will see construction completed by the end of 2026. Our current sewer rate is $7.00 per 100 cubic feet, which means that every 750 gallons of sewer discharge costs $7.00. The upgrade to the treatment facility, if that is the option chosen, is estimated to cost more than $20 M. At this time, we have not, as of yet, conducted a rate study but we will do so as part of this process. Although we will take every effort to keep these costs as low as possible, residents should be aware of an unavoidable sig-nificant rate increase as this mandated project moves forward. We will continue to provide updates in future newsletters and elsewhere.

RETIREMENT

In 2017, Ed Fortin, the Town’s long serving Water Superinten-dent, retired after serving 44 years. During Mr. Fortin’s ten-ure, the Town consistently met all State Regulations and obli-gations. Dedicated employees like Mr. Fortin are difficult to find and he will be missed.

WEST ISLAND TOWN BEACH

The West Island Town Beach will open for the season on June 25th. Permits are available at the BPW Office or at the

Town Beach. Resident Season Pass is $30.00. Non Resident Season Pass is $100.00. Resident Car Day Pass is $10.00—Non Resident is $20.00. Resident Walk-in is $3.00, Non Resident Walk-in is $10.00 and Non-Resident Senior Walk-in is $5.00 per person. Resident Senior Citizens may go in for free with proof of ID unless accompanied by non-seniors in vehicle then may purchase a senior pass for $15.00. The beach is staffed from 8:45 am. to 3:45 p.m. daily weather permitting.

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MEMBERS BPW STAFF

Michael Ristuccia Vincent D. Furtado, BPW Superintendent

Brian Wotton John M. Charbonneau, Highway & Park Superintendent

Robert Hobson Linda L. Schick, Sewer Superintendent

Keith Silvia Jeffrey E. Furtado, Water Superintendent

Cameron Durant Kathy A. Tripp, Administrative Assistant

NEWSLETTER - SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Call us if we can help! Telephone: 508-979-4030 Fax: 508-979-4086 e-mail: bpw@fairhaven-ma.gov

SIDEWALK, DRIVEWAY AND CURB CUTS

A permit is required for any construction in a Town lay-out for the installation or repair of a driveway, sidewalk or curbing. The Town has a list of approved contractors who are capable of doing this work. The Highway Superintendent will then review and approve or disapprove based on the rules and regulations. No work is permitted without first receiv-ing approval. All waivers are approved by the Board of Public Works. There is a $10.00 fee for the Permit. The homeowner and contractor will then be mailed of copy of the approved or disapproved applica-tion. Fines assessed up to $300.00.

WATER FLUSHING PROGRAM

The Town of Fairhaven has sched-

uled a hydrant flushing program for

Fall 2018. The Town’s water distribu-

tion program system is a complex

network of pipes and storage tanks

where sediment and deposits may

naturally accumulate over time. If

not removed, these materials may cause water quality

deterioration, taste and odor problems, or discoloration

of water. So as to provide the least amount of inconven-

ience to our residents, flushing will occur during the

night. Since it is expected that some discoloration and

disturbance of the water in the area of the work will oc-

cur while the program is in progress, consumers should

check the clarity of their water prior to use. In the event

that rust or sediment is present, wait approximately 2

hours for any disturbance that was caused by the flush-

ing to settle and run the cold water faucet nearest the

water meter until clear. DO NOT USE THE HOT WATER

UNTIL THE COLD WATER IS CLEAR.

HURRICANE PERMITS

2018 Permits are now available at the BPW office. Desig-

nated areas in Town require you to have this permit to get

home in case of any weather related emergency. Vehicle

registration is required. Summer residents also need to

provide a real estate bill, water bill, etc.

SEWER BLOCKAGES

Effective January 8, 2018 the Board of Public Works voted to

unblock lateral lines only if the main line (public sewer) is

blocked. If the public sewer is flowing freely, the Town will

not remedy the problem in a private line even if the issue is

tree roots as the homeowner is responsible for their private

sewer regardless of the length of service.

ROAD WORK SCHEDULE

The Highway Department’s schedule for road work this year is as follows:

Rockland Street, Diamond Street, Club Street, Henry Street, Hopkins Street and Brown Street.

The next phase of Green Street from South Street to Cottage Street will begin late sum-mer using State Chapter 90 funds.