18C-048 (3) CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
�o��eT�ti DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
125 Locust Street
Northampton, MA 01060-2066
413-587-1570
Fax 413-587-1576
Edward S. Huntley, P.E
Director - , -7 r
September 10, 2008
Northampton Health Care
737 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01060 a-
Attn: Administrator
CERTIFIED MAIL# 7004 1160 0005 0266 2457
Re: VIOLATION and PENDING FINE
ILLEGAL DISCHARGES TO SANITARY SEWER
Dear Administrator:
The Northampton Department of Public Work's (DPW) continues to monitor your
sanitary sewer discharge point on Prospect Avenue. Northampton Health Care continues
to discharge illegal material(s)to the City's sanitary sewer system on a regular basis even
with the most recent upgrades to the screen rack system. The DPW has documented
these events with photographs.
The discharge of these materials is illegal under the City's Sewer Use Ordinance,
specifically Chapter 260.18, 19 and 20. Your facility has been warned on a number of
occasions and most recently on May 5, 2008 via Certified Mail.
The Northampton Board of Public Works at its August 27, 2008 meeting discussed the continued
violations and agreed that instead of the surcharge(s)being paid that the monies be invested in
the upgrades so that there would be no future violations. The DPW believes this proactive
approach is in the best interest of all parties. Prior discussions centered on installation of a
grinder station which for some reason was not implemented. The DPW believes that this is the
most viable option considering the continuation of these types of discharges.
Your facility is required to take immediate action(s)to ensure that these items do not
continue to be discharged to the City sewer system. The DPW requires that you submit,
no later than the end of day on September 26, 2008, a written plan of compliance with the
City's Sewer Use Ordinance. Failure to provide this plan on this date will result in a
$5,000.00 violation for each documented event after the May 5, 2008 letter and
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subsequent $5,000.00 per violation thereafter. Implementation of the plan will follow
immediately after concurrence by the DPW.
Please feel free to call me at the above telephone number to discuss this matter.
Sincerely,
Ned Huntley, P.E.
Director of Public Works
c; Mayor Clare Higgins
BPW
John Hall
Charlene Shea, W WTF
Anthony Patillo,Building Commissioner
M..\Bridge Road\Violation 737 Bridge Road 091008.doc
The pPW requires that you submit, no later than the end of day on May 30, 2008, a W.
of compliance with the City's Sewer Use Ordinance. Failure to provide this plan on thi,
will result in a$5,000.00 violation for the April 25, 2008 event and subsequent $5,000.00
violation thereafter. Implementation of the plan will follow immediately after concurrence
the DPW.
Please feel free to call me at the above telephone number to discuss this matter.
Sincerely,
Ned Huntley, P.E.
Director of Public Works
enclosure
c: Mayor Clare Higgins
BPW
John Hall
Charlene Shea, WWTF
Anthony Patillo, Building Commissioner
Pg.2/2,UABridge Road\VIOLATION sewer rags 737 bridge road 050508.doc
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
g 125 Locust Street
Northampton, MA 01060-2066
413-587-1570
Fax 413-587-1576
Edward S. Huntley, RE
Director
May 5, 2008
j"
2008
Northampton Health Care a
737 Bridge Road +� 1
Northampton, MA 01060 U ----' '
Attn: Administrator
CERTIFIED MAIL # 7005 3110 0000 6866 0582
Re: VIOLATION and PENDING FINE
ILLEGAL DISCHARGE TO SANITARY SEWER
Dear Administrator:
The Northampton Department of Public Work's (DPW)has been documenting your sanitary
sewer discharge point on Prospect Avenue for over two (2) years. Northampton Health Care
continues to discharge illegal material(s)to the City's sanitary sewer system on a regular basis.
The illegal discharge consists of rags, heavy paper towels and other linens. These materials have
the capability of causing the system to clog, which in turn will cause sewer backups into
residential homes. In June 9, 2007 a blockage on Gleason Road caused raw sewerage to backup
up into residents basements. During clearing of the blockage, a large amount of rags and grease
were noted.
The discharge of these materials is illegal under the City's Sewer Use Ordinance, specifically
Chapter 260.18, 19 and 20 (attached). Your facility was warned on February 4, 2006 via
Certified Mail. In addition I have spoken with a Mr. Fritz directly regarding this issue. At one
point Mr. Fritz discussed a grinder station, which was not placed in service to DPW's
knowledge. Mr. Frtiz also discussed not utilizing these rags anymore, which is currently is not
the case. I also called Rich Perry, Maintenance Director after the September 9, 2007 waste
removal and left a message. Mr. Perry stated that the use of these rags would cease.
Your facility is required to take immediate action(s)to ensure that these items do not continue to
be discharged to the City sewer system. Photos documented an enhanced screen system on your
property dated March 10, 2006 but it is not known whether or not this screen is still functional
and daily cleanings are adhered too. Most recently on May 2, 2008,the DPW cleared a
substantial amount of the same material from the manhole. The DPW asked that someone from
your maintenance staff be present to document the problem and the site visit was refused.
Pg.1/2,UABridge Road\VIOLATION sewer rags 737 bridge road 050508.doc
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS �d
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
126 Locust Street
i Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1570
Fax 413-687-1576
George Andrikidis, P.E.
Director
February 7, 2006
Northampton Health Care
737 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01060
CERTIFIED MAIL.#7004 1160 0005 0266 0972
Re: ILLEGAL DISCHARGE TO SANITARY SEWER
Dear Property Owner:
It has come to the Northampton Department of Public Work's (DPW) attention that your facility
is discharging illegal material to the City's sanitary sewer system. The illegal discharge consists
of rags, heavy paper towels and other linens. These materials have the capability of causing the
system to clog, which in turn may be able to cause sewer backups into residential homes_
The discharge of these materials is illegal under the City's Sewer Use Ordinance, specifically
Section 22.43(6). The City has the right to fine an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars
($5,000)per day for each offense.
Your facility is required to take immediate action to ensure that these items do not continue to be
discharge to the City sewer system. Appropriate action(s) acceptable to the City would include
debris racks and daily cleaning. Please inform the PDW how you which to proceed. You are
expected to be in contact no later that February 17, 2006 to discuss the matter. If you have any
questions, please contact me at the above number.
Sincerely,
Ned Huntley, P.8.
City Engineer
c: BPW
George Andrikidis, P.E.
Charlene Shea, WWTF
Anthony Patillo, Building Commissioner
Pg.1l1,UABridge Roed\Land Taking Correspondencelsewer rags 737 bridge road 020406.doc
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September 23, 2008
City of Northampton Massachusetts
Department of Public Works
125 Locust St.
Northampton Mass. 01060
Ned Huntley P.E.
Director of Public Works
Dear Mr. Huntley
In reference to your letter dated September 10, 2008 in regards to Illegal Discharges into
the Sanitary Sewer system,Northampton Rehabilitation&Nursing Center has come up
with a plan of correction for the discharge of disposable wipes into the city sewer system.
Effective September 18, 2008 the Nursing home instituted a policy that no more
disposable wet wipes will be used in the building. A plan of correction was put into place
where the facility will purchase reusable wash cloths for the nursing staff to use for
patient care rather than the disposable cloths. This clinical procedure will eliminate the
flushing of all disposable wipes into the city sewer system, as the reusable wash cloths
can be re washed several times before being discarded The Administrator, Director of
Nursing &Director of Environmental Services will be monitoring this plan of correction
on a daily basis to insure the nursing staff is following the plan of correction,the
Maintenance department will also monitor the outside sewer line for any discharge on a
daily basis and report any problems to the Administrator. Northampton Rehab &Nursing
center does believe that this plan of correction will eliminate the on going sewer problem
that has been on going. The nursing home does appreciate all the support and input that
the Department of Public Works and the city of Northampton has given us in this matter.
If you have any question please feel free to call me or stop at the nursing home regarding
any further problems on this matter.
Sincerely
Richard Perry
Director of Environmental Services
cc: Mayor Clare Higgins
Anthony Patillo, Building Commissioner
John Hall
Charlene Shea
r
TO:
LOUIS HASBROUCK
BUILDING INSPECTOR
CITY OF NORTHAMPTOM
FROM
RICH PERRY
NORTHAMPTON REHAB & NURSING
CENTER