Loading...
Sewer Line Extension Request Correspondence 1997 James A. Gracia, PE 99 Glendale Street Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027 (413) 527-5290 May 5, 1997 James Kohnnan 108 Marian Street Northampton, MA 01060 Re: Septic System Problem Dear Jim: I have investigated the cause(s) of the septic system breakout problem which has occurred at your 108 Marian Street property. The most obvious cause of the problem is the extreme amount of groundwater which flows into and wider your property. The curtain drain, which was installed to intercept the groundwater, does not appear to be capturing enough of the water to lower the water table wider the leaching system. A secondary problem would be that the system was designed based on the coarse sand found at the easterly end of the lot. Based on the tests pits we excavated on 4/17/97, this sand layer was not found at the westerly end of the property. The soils found at the west end were a very dense glacial till made up of clay, silt, and loam, winch is not pervious enough to accotmnodate a normal septic leaching system. At some point, die sand layer runs out leaving only the dense impervious soil. The leaching system appears to overlap the impervious soil, the extent of which, I was not able to determine. If that is the case, then the leaching system is severely wider sized, hence the hydraulic overload and breakout. In addition to the problems mentioned above, the curtain drain does not extend all the way to the foundation of the house. This leaves an opening for die groundwater to flow between the drain and the house and into the area under the leaching system. The septic tank is located near this gap in the drain and groundwater may be seeping into the tank through the joints in the tank, thereby adding to the flow going into the leaching system. The addition of only a small volwne of groundwater per day (100 - 200 gallons) to your normal sewage flow could also hydraulically overload your system and cause the breakout. hi regard to corrective measures to be taken, I am not optimistic about salvaging the leaching system. My first thoughts were to improve the performance of the curtain drain, however, I am not convinced that this will be enough. Upon uncovering the septic 108 Marian Street May 5, 1997 Page 2 of 3 tank, I observed signs that the tank had been surcharged with liquid sufficient to completely flood the tank, which would mean solids and/or scum have gotten by the outlet baffle and have contaminated the leaching system. Under better soil and groundwater conditions, a leaching system can survive short term flooding, but in this case, there are just too many other negative factors involved. There are two alternatives to consider in correcting this problem: rebuild the existing septic system or connect to the municipal sewer system at the corner of Marian Street and Laurel Lane. Neither alternative is economically attractive, however, it would be my recommendation that connecting to the city sewer would be the best alternative in the long run. To install a new system within the space available which even comes close to meeting Title 5 would easily cost in excess of$15,000. The engineering and environmental permitting alone would total $2,000 to $3,000. This assumes that the Board of Health, DEP, and the Conservation Commission all agree to grant a number of variances to Title 5, the most obvious being the required 50' setback to the wetlands which surround your rear yard. If these variances were granted, the result would be an elevated system with a fmish grade from 2' to 3' above existing grade. A concrete retaining wall would be required to meet the breakout distance requirements. The existing system and a large amount of the impervious soil would have to be excavated and replaced with clean sand. The possibility also exists that DEP would require enhanced treatment of the septic tank effluent prior to discharge to the leaching system. This type of enhanced treatment system allows for a smaller leaching system, but does require twice yearly inspections by a certified Grade 2 wastewater treatment operator and laboratory analysis of groundwater samples. The inspections and lab work have been estimated to be $2,000 to $3,000 per year. Connection to the municipal sewer will also be a difficult process, more from a political and economic standpoint than from an engineering perspective. The existing sewer main is located at the intersection of Laurel Lane and Marian Street, approximately 600' from your easterly property corner. It is my understanding that the main was not originally extended to the end of Marian Street due to shallow ledge and the fact that none of the existing houses were having septic system problems at the time the main was installed. Regulations have changed since then, especially for those wanting to sell their house with a septic system which may not pass the Title 5 inspection. The cost of a new sewer main to reach your property would be in the $30,000 to $50,000 range, depending on the amount of ledge removal required. With the number of houses on Marian Street which would benefit from the new sewer main, a concerted effort to persuade the city to install the line would be well worth the effort. Even if the property owners had to share James A. Gracia, PE 99 Glendale Street Easthampton,MIA 01027 108 Marian Street May 5, 1997 Page 3 of 3 the full cost, it would be much less than repairing an individual septic system. Connection to a municipal sewer is also more attractive to a home buyer than a septic system. I realize that this option will be difficult to accomplish, but 1 can not emphasize enough the problems associated with your site. The type of design I would feel comfortable providing for your situation will be very expensive and, quite frankly, very ugly in terms of esthetics. 1 have been in similar situations where we have tried to shoe horn a system into a small space with high groundwater and it has come back to haunt both the owner and myself. Once the water table drops, the breakout you are experiencing should stop, but it will come back eventually. It can be remedied on a temporary basis for several hundred dollars by adding more soil cover in the area of the breakout and extending the leaching system slightly, but its effectiveness will be dependent on the weather. We are just concluding a period of inordinately wet weather, dating back to the Spring of 1996. if we have a corresponding period of relatively dry weather, the problem may subside for a short while, possibly long enough to get the city to proceed with the sewer line. You will get good support from the Board of Health and Conservation Commission for obvious reasons. I wish I could present an easier solution, but the conditions and restrictions of your site are just not conducive to installing a conventional septic system. I will be glad to provide whatever services are necessary whichever option you decide to pursue. Yours truly, James A. Gracia, PE James A. Gracia, PE 90 Glrndalr Street Department of Public Works City Hall 210 Main Street Northampton, Ma 01060 May 12, 1997 To whom it may concern: We the undersigned hereby request the City of Northampton to extend the municipal sewer line up Marian Street This petition is being presented to you as a result of current problems with existing septic systems on Marian Street. Onicaig &rig I9 Ylca1z L M. - �z =-- Department of Public Works City Hall 210 Main Street Northampton,Ma 01060 May 12, 1997 To whom it may concern: We the undersigned hereby request the City of Northampton to extend the municipal sewer line up Marian Street. This petition is being presented to you as a result of current probl'g s with existing septic systems on Marian Street. ct _ l C may-- 100 �l - L!'!¢�i an 5€ --- 76 Hq rim Py Northampton Conservation Commission City Hall 210 Main Street Northampton, Ma 01060 Dear Paulette Kuzdeba: May 16, 1997 James Kohrman 108 Marian Street Northampton, Ma 01060] Telephone (home) 586-9762 Telephone (work). 538-5074 1 write this letter in regards to the wetlands that abut our property and the septic system problems that exist on upper Marian Street. 1 have been living on Marian Street for the past 5 years and have been informed that our present septic system (installed January 1993) needs to be replaced Due to the layout of our property and the surrounding wetlands that abut our property line a new system would be very costly. (See enclosed report of James Gracia, PE). I will also note that our property is not the only property on Marian Street that is having serious problems with septic breakouts. James Gracia has done spot diggings on our property and has written a report with recommendations that Peter McErlain (DPH) also endorses. I am both concerned about the contamination of the wetland areas that surrounds our properties as well as the extravagant cost of an elevated system versus a hook- up to the city's sewer line. I thus seek support/endorsement from the Conservation Commission in extending a sewer line from the intersection of Laurel Lane and Marian Street to upper Marian Street. I enclose a copy of a petition from homeowners on Marian Street that feel that we have a serious problem that needs to be addressed. This petition will be given to Peter McErlain so that he might present our concern at the next Board of Health meeting on May 27, 1997. I hope to hear from you in the immediate near future and James Gracia, PE (527-5290) has informed me that he is more then willing to answer any of your questions regarding this area on Marian Street and a need for a public sewer line. Mr. Robert Mahar Chairman Department of Pubic Works 210 Main Street Northampton, Ma 0160 Dear Mr. Mahar: May 21, 1997 James Kohrman 108 Marian Street Northampton,Ma 01060 Home phone. 586-9762 Work phone. 538-5074 I write to you under the recommendation by city councilor Patrick Goggins with whom my wife spoke with today. I have been living on Marian Street for the past 5 years and have been informed that our present septic system(installed January 1993) needs to be replaced. Due to the layout of our property and the surrounding wetlands that abut our property line a new septic system would be very costly. According to Engineer James Gracia, a new system would cost in excess of$15,000, engineering and environmental permittng$2,000 to $3,000 and possible yearly inspections another $2,000 to $3,000. Mr. Gracia recommends that we connect to the municipal sewer line which is the reason my wife talked with Patrick Goggins today. I have met with Peter McErlain, DPH and have presented to him a petition signed by homeowners of Marian Street requesting that the sewer line on Marian Street be extended. I enclose a copy of this petition, as well as a copy of James Gracia's report where he explains the septic problems and his recommendations I hope that this problem can be addressed in the immediate future and the septic problems on Marian Street resolved. There are several houses that are currently having problems with their second system. Sincerely, James Koh Enclosed: Petition Engineer report BOARD OF HEALTH MEMBERS JOHN T.JOYCE,Chairman ANNE BURES,M.D. CYNTHIA DOURMASHKIN,R.N. PETER J.McERLAIN,Health Agent (413)586-8950 Ext 213 FAX(413)586-3726 May 29,1997 CITY OF NORTHAMPTON MASSACHUSETTS 01060 Sam Brindis, Director Northampton Dept. of Public Works 125 Locust Street Northampton, MA 01060 Dear Mr. Brindis: OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH 210 MAIN STREET NORTHAMPTON,MA 01060 Re: Petition for Sewer Extension —Marian Street The Northampton Board of Health is in receipt of a petition from the residents of Marian Street who seeks the extension of the municipal sewer to the western end of their street. Some time ago, a city sewer main was brought in from Coles Meadow Road as far as the first house on Marian St., however,due to the presence of ledge below the roadway the sewer was not extended to the other end of the street. The petition and the accompanying information, (attached), outline the recent septic system failures which the homeowners have experienced and the septic system repair options which are both limited and very expensive. Due to the presence of impervious soils and high groundwater, more stringent Title 5 septic design requirements and limiting wetlands setback distances the replacement of existing septic systems is not economically feasible. Recently two septic systems on Marian St. have failed due to high water table. Both of these septic systems were less than five (5)years old. In addition, other septic systems on the street are located in what is now considered marginal soil, and where the nearby streams and drainage swales make the repair of those systems much more difficult, if not impossible. Also the new Title 5 septic system inspection requirements will make it difficult for homes on this street to be sold without replacement of marginal septic systems or connection to city sewer. Therefore,property owners look upon the connection to the nearby sewer as the logical alternative. In view of the foregoing, the Board of Health voted unanimously, on May 27, 1997, to refer this petition to the Board of Public Works and to strongly support the extension of the sewer to the western end of Marian Street. In order to protect the public against potential health hazards of failed septic systems and to avoid extremely expensive septic system repair projects, of limited benefit and duration,the sewer extension project should be started as soon as possible. While we realize that it takes time to obtain financing and prepare plans it is hoped that the project could begin during the current construction season or by the next construction season at the latest. I will be happy to meet with you to discuss this matter further,please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require additional information. Thank you. Sincerely, Peter J. McErlain, Agent Northampton Board of Health cc: Mike Vito, Mayor's Office City Councilor Judith Fine City Councilor Mary Clare Higgins George Andrikidis, DPW Asst. Engineer Mr. & Mrs. James Kohrman Samuel B. Brindis, P.E. Director,City Engineer Peter J. McNulty, Sr. Assistant Director of Public Works June 5, 1997 CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 125 Locust Street Northampton, MA 01060 James Kohrman 108 Marian Street Northampton, MA 01060 Dear Mr. Kohrman: 413-582-1570 After reviewing your letter and enclosure dated May 21, 1997 (enclosed) with Mr. Mahar, Chairman, Board of Public Works(BPW), he requested that I appraise you of the current thinking on utility extensions. Historically, the City of Northampton has not performed a planned sanitary sewer extension since circa 1980 when a new Waste Water Treatment Plant was constructed, along with various distribution upgrades and pollution abatement projects funded mostly through State and Federal grant programs. The only exceptions that have occurred since 1980 have been extensions which were financed and constructed by individual developers under the guidance of the Department of Public Works (DPW). A general discussion has recently taken place concerning the future formation of a committee from various City departments, to be determined, based on their input to the process. For example, the Planning Department will present future population and growth data for residential and economic development. The Conservation Commission may provide input regarding Title V and the newly passed legislation called the Rivers Act. The Board of Health's input for septic systems(Title V)is necessary in cases similar to your own situation. Certainly financing these projects are a concern in general and will require a creative thought process and policy , which will include the BPW and Mayor's office , that can be equally and consistently applied. Of immediate concern is your failed system and the eminent failure of your neighbor's systems. As Mr. Garcia, P.E. points out, there is an existing sanitary main that would have to be extended approximately 600 feet through possible ledge(blasting conditions) at an office estimate in the range of$40,000 to $70,000. The DPW, while already at peak workload conditions, could complete the design and advertize the contract for construction this fall. While this can be physically accomplished, the BPW will require betterment assessments to each James Kohrman • Page 2of2 June 5, 1997 homeowner that could or will enter the system, totaling the construction cost. The design, construction administration and inspection will be absorbed by the City. Since this is a preliminary discussion only, your thoughts, as well as those of your neighbors will be solicitated at the next BPW meeting to be held on July 16, 1997, at the Waste Water Treatment Plant off of Hockanum Road. This input is very important to establish a consensus for future action of the BPW. A written response to this letter would be appreciated stating your availability(and neighbors availability)to attend this meeting. If there is anything further that you feel should be addressed, do not hesitate to call me. Very truly yours, _5e Samuel B. Brindis, P. E. Director of Public Works Enclosure: As Stated(6 Sheets) cc: Board of Public Works, w/1 George Andrikidis, w/1 Peter McErlain, w/1 Pat Goggins, w/1 Judith Fine, w/1 Mary Ford, w/I Penny Kim, w/l b:sam2Vettermari streetseptic Janet Sheppard, City Solicitor July 17, 1997 Page 2 of 2 These are a few of the questions raised which require your expertise. Please provide a brief summary in response to these concerns so that I may pass them on to the BPW members. To fully clarify this issue, it may be beneficial to attend our next meeting which will be held on August 13, 1997, at our meeting room, 7:00 PM. Since there is some urgency in this matter with current septic systems failing, your expeditious response is appreciated in advance. On another matter which appears to be rearing its ungainly side, I would like to revive a prior request to find a solution or a "better" way to deal with - the unsightly and sometimes obstructions to pedestrians,which have taken residence on our otherwise friendly sidewalks - Newspaper vending machines. Please call me if there are any questions. Thanks! cc: Board of Public Works Ann Marie Schauer George Andrikidis Joe Cook, Esq. Peter McErlain Mike Vito Mary Ford b:\sam2 legal\sanassessnewsboxcs Samuel B. Brindis, P.E. Director, City Engineer Peter J. McNulty, Sr. Assistant Director of Public Works CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 125 Locust Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-582-1570 MEMO TO: Janet Sheppard, City Solicitor Elaine Real, Esquire FROM: Sam Brindis, Director, DPW SUBJECT: Betterment Assessments DATE: July 17, 1997 The Board of Public Works(BPW)has instructed the staff to design and prepare plans for a sanitary sewer extension on Marian Street, subject to financing. A betterment assessment made to the homeowners was discussed to pay for the capital cost of this project. During the discussion, several legal questions arose which are enumerated below. Are there other ways to assess homeowners for capital projects of this nature of which the homeowner derives a direct benefit and for which the project would not have otherwise been undertaken? 2. Is it legally advisable and/or permissible to levy an assessment prior to a homeowner actually making physical use of the betterment since, in this instance, property values would automatically increase as long as the opportunity to use the betterment is available? 3. Can the assessment be spread over a period of years rather than one lump sum payment and what is the mechanism for tracking these payments?What incentive does the homeowner have to continue making payments after they have been hooked up? 4. If payments are made over a period of years, is the present/future worth of the money taken into account or interest included in the determination of the assessment? How is a percentage derived?