USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Lenox > Town annual report of the town of Lenox, Massachusetts > Part 6
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It is the opinion of the Committee that prompt action should be taken to provide a central sewage system for the North Lenox business area.
II. The Centralized System
Early in the year, the Committee instigated a program to obtain a new engi- neering proposal for a sewer and sewage treatment plant to serve the North Lenox business area. The Sewer Commissioners made available to the Committee $400 remaining from an earlier appropriation (1955) for a North Lenox sewer survey. The engineering firm of Whitman and Howard was awarded the contract to pre- pare a sewage disposal plan that would more economically and satisfactorily meet the needs of the area than the earlier report of Bogert Associates (1955). The Committee requested Whitman and Howard to give consideration to the following items in their proposal:
A. the most economical sewerage system,
B. better location for the sewage disposal works,
C. sewerage system for the business area but adequate to handle expansion in other areas of North Lenox,
D. utilization of a package disposal system.
The Whitman and Howard engineering proposal is attached to this report.
The Committee is of the opinion that the Whitman & Howard proposal pro- vides the best and most economical solution to the sewage problems in the North Lenox business zone. In addition this sewerage proposal offers the opportunity for expansion in the North Lenox area as may be needed in the future.
The Committee asked the engineers a series of questions. These questions and answers are also attached to this report.
III. Sewer System Financing
There are several ways in which a sewerage system may be financed. The Committee has been studying the methods described below:
A. Town financed sewer, i.e., general taxation,
B. combination private and Town financed sewer,
C. sewer assessments,
D. a sewer district.
Independent of which method is selected for financing a sewer, there may be available from the Federal Government, as authorized by Public Law No. 660, a sum of money equal to 30% of the sewage treatment costs, which in the case of the Whitman & Howard proposal would be $38,160. The Committee has prepared an application for this amount of money and has submitted it to the Town Sewer Commissioners to be transmitted to State and Federal authorities if and when a sewer installation has been authorized by the Town.
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A. Town financed sewer (general taxation).
If the Town were to finance the sewer system through a sewer bond issue to be paid back by taxation, the entire cost of the system would have to be carried by the entire town. Except through increased real estate evaluations in the areas benefited by the sewer installation, the abutters under this method of financing would pay no more for the in- stallation of the sewer than all the other taxpayers of the Town. This method of financing has been employed on the earlier sewer installations in the Town.
B. Combination private and Town financed sewer
It is possible for the business establishments in the North Lenox business zone to contribute a sum of money to the Town as a share of the sewer system costs. For example, one-half of the sewer costs, $95,400, could be raised privately and contributed to the Town, to be matched with money appropriated by the Town meeting and from the Federal Government.
In this case, no work can be undertaken and no commitments can be made by the Town for a sewerage system until the business establish- ments to be served actually contributed such an amount in cash to the Town.
On the assumption that the business area people would contribute one-half the costs of the sewer, then the Town would raise $57,240 by. some appropriate means. The remaining amount may be available from the Federal Government to make up the total cost of $190,800.
C. Sewage Assessments
The third method of financing a sewer would be to employ a Munici- pal Betterment Act. If the Town were to adopt a betterment act, sewer assessments could be made against the abutters to cover the cost of the sewerage system in whole or in part. Such assessments have to be estab- lished on a uniform basis so that all abutting property owners contribute the same pro rata share of the sewer cost. Such assessments would by law apply to businesses and residences alike. Usually, this assessment is based upon water usage.
D. Sewer District
By special act of the legislature, and with the approval of the tax- payers within the boundaries of the area involved, it is possible to estab- lish a sewer district. A sewer district, "a body politic," would have au- thority equal to that of a town government. That is to say, the district would have the authority to authorize sewer construction, to take land by eminent domain, to borrow money, and to assess sewer taxes with the same authority, rights, and privileges as the town within the sewer dis- trict.
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In this case, a sewer district could be formed which would include the business zone in North Lenox and also the area in the City of Pitts- field which requires a sewage disposal system. This sewer district would elect its own sewer commissioners and would finance its own installation, completely independent of the Town. There would be no cost to the Town, and the entire cost of the sewer system would be absorbed by the abutters.
The Committee is still studying the various methods for financing a sewer in the North Lenox business area. It has presented this progress report to indicate what areas are now being investigated. The Committee requests that it be con- tinued for another year and, if so continued, will prepare a firm recommendation as soon as such investigation is completed. We will welcome any comments or ideas from interested individuals or Town representatives.
In closing, the Committee wishes to thank the Board of Selectmen and the Town Committees for their help and cooperation.
Signed: THE NORTH LENOX SEWER COMMITTEE
NORTON M. CASE
EARL R. CLARK
WALTER E. DAVERIN
HAROLD E. HUMPHREY, Clerk
WALTER A. HUTCHINSON
FORREST H. JUDKINS, Chairman
DAVID H. MACKEY
CHARLES G. STANLEY
ROBERT LaRIVIERE
HERMAN W. REINKE
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LETTER FROM WHITMAN & HOWARD
October 26, 1956
Mr. F. H. Judkins, Chairman
North End Lenox Sewerage Committee
Lenox, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Judkins:
We are pleased to submit the following report relative to the disposal of sani- tary wastes from the north end of Lenox, Mass., more particularly the area along the Pittsfield Road (U. S. Routes 7 and 20) for a distance of about 4,000 feet south of the Pittsfield city line. This report includes two plans entitled "Proposed Sewer- age System" and "Plan of Proposed Sewage Treatment Plant." Existing Conditions
It is our understanding that for many years now the sanitary conditions along the Pittsfield Road at the north end of Lenox have left much to be desired. These problem conditions have been chiefly connected with commercial enterprises, such as restaurants having large amounts of sanitary wastes. The soil in this area is not suitable to absorb these wastes which, therefore, come to the surface of the ground or are discharged into small streams with septic conditions ensuing. No sanitary sewers exist in this area, although there are a few street drains emptying into nearby watercourses. The need for a sanitary sewerage system is obvious, but it is equally obvious that, because of high costs, any new system that is planned should be designed to care for the immediate pressing needs only, yet, if possible, act as the backbone for an eventually more comprehensive system.
We should not overlook, however, the good fortune that the north end area of Lenox, involved with the waste disposal problem has a good stream available to receive primary treated wastes in the Housatonic River. Our investigation of this area also revealed an excellent site location for a treatment plant which will be described later.
Proposed Sewerage System
With the above thoughts in mind we, therefore, propose that a sewerage sys- tem be constructed on the following basic principles:
1. The system be a separate system and drain sanitary wastes only (no storm water).
2. The sewer system be constructed in such a manner as to eliminate pump- ing stations, if at all possible, for economic reasons, as well as to reduce maintenance and operation problems.
3. That a sewage treatment plant be constructed to provide primary treat- ment and be located generally in the vicinity of the Housatonic River, reasonably remote from habitation.
4. Every effort should be made to have the treatment plant flow by gravity and be located in such a manner that future developments in the area could flow to and through the plant by gravity.
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Reference to the two enclosed plans will show a sewerage system, as outlined and recommended above. This plan is based on the latest accepted modern con- cepts of sewage disposal and will, in our opinion, be the most economical approach to the problem. This plan may be greatly expanded should the need arise, yet in- cludes at this time only facilities to handle problem waste discharges or concen- trated housing areas in the nearby vicinity.
The proposed site of the sewage treatment plant as shown is approximately one-half mile from the nearest dwelling house. This site, at present, is a wooded strip of land lying between a transmission power line right-of-way to the west, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad to the east, and a swampy area to the south approximately one-half mile south of New Lenox Road.
Sanitary Sewers
In general, the sanitary sewer system has been developed as a gravity system throughout. All sewers will be 8-inch in size, except for possible special sections which detailed planning may develop. The exact location of the sewer along the Yokun Brook is also subject to detailed planning; however, our examination in the field indicates that this is, in general, the proper location for the sewer. All sewer mains will be pitched to provide self-cleaning velocities and manholes will be spaced not over 300 feet apart, except on long straight sections of the sewer across fields where the spacing may be as much as 400 feet.
Sewage Treatment Plant
In accordance with our previous recommendations, we propose that the sew- age treatment plant be a primary treatment plant and consist of the following units:
1. Grit Trap.
2. Bar Screen and Comminutor
3. Primary Clarifier
4. Sludge Digestion Tank
5. Sludge Drying Beds
6. Control Building
The plant site, as previously described, is of sufficient size for future plant expansion if conditions warrant. This site should be developed in such a manner that the natural existing foliage be retained, thus removing the plant from sight completely. Although modern treatment plants are not objectionable to view, nevertheless we recognize the psychological reaction in viewing such installations.
Normally, all sanitary sewage will first pass through a grit trap where possible grit will be settled out before passing through mechanical equipment. Next, the sewage will pass through a comminutor where all solids, wood, rags, etc., will be cut up as an aid in settling and sludge digestion. After comminution, the sewage will pass through a circular concrete sedimentation tank about 18 feet in diameter and 7 feet deep, called a primary clarifier. In the clarifier all settleable solids will be removed from the sewage. From the clarifier the settled sewage will flow over a V notched weir for flow recording and through an outfall pipe line to the Housa- tonic River.
PROPOSED
SEWERAGE SYSTEM
LENOX MASS. (NORTH END)
Scole: 1 .400 Oct 1956.
whitman & Howard, Engineers. 89 Broad St. Boston Mass.
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BROOK
PROPOSED
YOKUN
PROPOSED TREATMENT PLANT SITE
5
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PROPOSED SEWERS.
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PROPOSED. INTERCEPTOR SEWER
0
OUTFASE SEWER
PROPOSER TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT
PITTSFIELD
JOB Nº:1010
HOLME'S ROAD
RIVERS
YORK
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MAY. ST.
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INTERCEPTOR SEWER
STREET
PITTSFIELD .... LENOX
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HOUSATONIC RIVER FLOW
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EFFLUENT
NEW YORK, NEW HAVEN FORD RAILROAD
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PROPOSED SLUDGE DRYING BEDS
ROAD
PROPOSBO
BAR SCREEN ! COMMINUTOR
FUTURE CLARIFIER
BED
GREIT TRAP
PROPOSER CLARIFIER
: PROPOSED
: CONTROL
PROPOSED- GRAVITY SEWER
--- BUILDING
FUTURE
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FUTURE SLUDGE DRYING
TRANSMISSION LINE
PROPOSED PLAN OF SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT LENOX,MASS. ( NORTH END)
Noscole
Oct. 1956.
Whitman & Howard, Engineers 89 Broad St. Boston, Mass.
JOB Nº 1018
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NEWLENOMED. ACCESS
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Sludge, which is settled out in the clarifier, will be pumped by an automatic- ally operated sludge pump to the sludge digester. The sludge digester will be a concrete tank about 18 feet in diameter and 16 feet deep. Here sludge will be con- centrated and stored for digestion before being discharged on sand beds for drying.
A small concrete block building will house the sludge pump and the electrical control at the treatment plant. This will be about 10 feet by 16 feet in size. There will also be furnished three open type sludge drying beds, approximately 15 feet by 45 feet each.
Costs
The following costs are based on current day prices and the letting of jobs by normal bidding procedures:
Proposed Sewer Mains
8-inch Sewer Pipe
$ 70,000
Manholes with Frames and Covers
18,000
Bituminous Resurfacing
2,900
Highway Crossing
7,500
Special Excavation, Ledge, Etc.
2,100
Total Construction Cost
$100,500
Engineering, legal, contingencies, etc.
20,100
TOTAL
$120,600
Treatment Plant Costs
Clarifier
$ 11,800
Bar Screen and Comminutor
5,000
Digester
4,700
Sludge Drying Beds
4,000
Outside Piping
13,000
Access Road and Grading
2,500
Electric Power
2,500
Control Building, Pump and Electrical
15,000
Total Construction Cost
$ 58,500
Engineering, legal, contingencies, etc.
11,700
TOTAL
$ 70,200
Project Costs
Sewer Mains
$120,600
Treatment Plant
70,200
TOTAL
$190,800
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Project Costs Applicable for Reimbursement by Federal Funds
Estimated Interceptor and Outfall Sewer
$ 57,000
Treatment Plant
70,200
TOTAL
$127,200
Estimated Maximum Federal Funds Available - 30% of $127,200 =$38,160
Summary
We have conferred with the State Department of Public Health in the prepa- ration of this report to be sure that it will conform to the programs of pollution abatement in this State.
We believe the proposed sewerage system, as outlined above, is the proper answer to the sanitary problems existing in the North Lenox area. The extent of the sewer system can, of course, be varied to meet any particular need arising. The type of treatment proposed is, we believe, the most economical for the service to be rendered. The proposed treatment plant is not a so-called "package" type of treatment plant, although we have considered these in making our recommenda- tions.
Before proceeding with the construction of this proposed project, we would recommend that the Town make application to the State Department of Public Health for a possible Federal grant for construction made available under Public Law 660 (84th Congress). Application for funds must be initiated through the State Department of Public Health and approved by the U. S. Public Health Service. These funds are available for the construction of treatment plants, inter- ceptor sewers, and outfall sewers to the extent of 30 per cent of their costs or $250,000, whichever is less.
Thank you for the opportunity of submitting this report. If there are any further questions, do not hesitate to call us.
Respectfully submitted,
WHITMAN & HOWARD, INC. By Robert T. Janes
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. We are planning on setting up a schedule of assessments for the business areas to be served by the new sewer. Will you kindly supply us with a tabula- tion of estimated water usage by each of the businesses to be served including, if possible, the Howard Johnson Restaurant?
We are enclosing a separate tabulation of estimated sewage flows from the businesses served by the proposed sewerage systems outlined in our previous report. This list is, of course, for estimating only and, although there may be individual variations, we feel the total will be reasonable for treatment plant designs.
2. The sewer line must be connectible to the Howard Johnson Restaurant. We noticed that according to the actual layout drawing that the sewer stops short of this establishment. Is it your proposal that Howard Johnson pay to bring the sewer line over the town line and connect into the end of the sewer?
The proposed sewer system is intended to be capable of servicing Howard Johnson's Restaurant and has been included in the Estimated Sewage Flows. Since this restaurant is over the town line, we did not extend the sewer to service the restaurant, but expect that an arrangement could be made during construction. Actually, the town could build the sewer and charge the cost to the restaurant or the restaurant could build the sewer themselves.
3. Can you outline for us in general terms what additional areas in North Lenox can be served as future extensions of this sewer plan without the addition of pumping stations? For example, on Holmes Road, East Street, New Lenox' Road, Main Highway, etc ..
The proposed sewer system, outlined in our report, can be extended con- siderably without requiring pumping stations, as follows:
All of New Lenox Road, between East Street and Pittsfield Road, can be served as shown by the dashed line on our report plan. New Lenox Road, between East Street and the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Rail- road, can be sewered with the addition of an interceptor sewer in the vicin- ity of the proposed treatment plant access road.
Pittsfield Road, south of New Lenox Road, can be sewered for a distance of about 2,700 feet (about 900 feet is shown on the plan in dashed lines). East Street can be sewered for a distance of about 1,400 feet south of New Lenox Road and about 500 feet north of New Lenox Road.
Holmes Road can be sewered for a distance of about 600 feet from Pitts- field Road, as shown on our report plan. With the addition of a 1,400 foot interceptor sewer, not shown on the plan, the Holmes Road sewer could be extended about 2,000 feet instead of 600 feet.
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4. Please give us a rough idea of how much the old Bogert Plan would cost with today's prices. We assume that costs have gone up 10 or 15%.
We estimate that since January, 1955 to date prices have increased about 12% for this type of work. The Bogert Report estimated the cost of the sewer system with treatment plant at the Housatonic River to be $185,000 in January, 1955. Today these costs should be considered as follows: Original Construction Cost, $185,000 plus 12% = $207,000.
If we were to consider the value of operating a small pumping station (which was included in the Bogert Report) continuously, and estimating this cost to be about $700 a year as a minimum, the present value of this annual cost at 3% would be about $23,000.
The true cost of the Bogert Report would, therefore, be the present con- struction cost, plus the present value of operating a pumping station for- ever, or $207,000 plus $23,000 = $230,000.
5. How close can the sewer be brought to New Lenox Road as it proceeds easterly toward East Street?
The proposed interceptor sewer which is shown on our plan as running approximately parallel to New Lenox Road could be brought along East Street to its intersection with New Lenox Road and thence along New Lenox Road itself for about 1,100 feet and would then have to be brought back to the location now shown on the plan.
Our original layout had this interceptor sewer in a portion of New Lenox Road. However, since the town cannot be reimbursed by Federal funds for lateral collection sewers, but can be reimbursed for interceptor sewers, we felt that the value received by the small number of homes served would not be great enough to jeopardize the possible reimbursement for the entire interceptor sewer.
6. Where can we look at a similar and preferably duplicate sewer treatment plant installation?
In regard to inspecting treatment plants, such as we have proposed to you, we would suggest that you examine the plants at Middleboro, Mass .; North Attleboro, Mass .; Gardner, Mass .; or Franklin, Mass .. All of these plants are larger in size than the plant we proposed in our report; how- ever, these plants all have units similar to the units which would be in- corporated in your plant design.
7. We noticed that you have not recommended a "package" type treatment plant for North Lenox. Although the question is not of great significance, we are curious as to why.
The type of treatment generally referred to as "package type" involves more intricate mechanical equipment and greater supervision. We are of
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the opinion that this type of treatment would not be applicable for your community. The type of treatment proposed in our report is more depend- able and requires less supervision than the so-called "package type".
8. We feel that there are a number of positive benefits gained by using this pro- posed layout as compared to the earlier Bogert Plan. However, the Bogert Plan did provide for sewerage along a part of New Lenox Road. Will you kindly give us an idea of the cost of a sewer capable of handling New Lehox Road from the top of the hill eastward to the Four Corners and East Street, and also the cost of a sewer line running from the top of the hill westerly to Yokun Brook, and from the Main Highway to Yokun Brook along New Lenox Road. Very rough figures are all that is required for these estimates. We would appreciate any ideas you may have of the benefit of one plan over the other.
The cost of sewers in New Lenox Road is as follows:
An 8-inch sewer running from the top of the hill to the corner of East Street and thence along East Street to the interceptor sewer, a distance of about 3,300 feet, would cost approximately $23,000.
An 8-inch sewer running from the top of the hill westerly to Yokun Brook, a distance of about 600 feet, would cost approximately $4,500.
An 8-inch sewer running from Yokun Brook westerly to the highway, about 600 feet, would cost approximately $4,500.
9. If you are familiar with the Federal Law permitting some Federal Government help for our project, will the fact that we propose to assess 50% of the cost of the sewer directly to the abutters (in the business zone) affect our obtaining Federal funds?
In regard to the Federal aid for the construction of sewerage works, we would say the method by which you finance the project will have no effect upon obtaining Federal aid. However, it should be noted that the granting of aid will undoubtedly be based on the relative need of the various com- munities applying.
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REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF TRUST FUNDS
Honorable Board of Selectmen: Lenox, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The Commissioners of Trust Funds of the Town of Lenox respectfully submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
The Commissioners held several meetings during the year. There were no new developments in the Community Center Trust.
On July 2 the Commissioners met with Mr. George Ripley, Assistant Trust Officer of the Berkshire Trust Co. following correspondence by Mr. Ripley and Mrs. E. Kennedy with
(a) Mr. Francis Appleton regarding the Inter Viros Trust created by Mr. Lanier for the Lanier Plot in the Church-on-the-Hill Cemetery and with
(b) Mr. Shaw regarding the Shaw Trust for the Shaw Plot in the Church-on- the-Hill Cemetery.
Both these gentlemen agreed that the above trusts should be turned over from the Berkshire Trust Co. to the Commissioners of Trust Funds of the Town of Lenox.
Your Commissioners are happy to report that all the necessary papers are now in order for both trusts to pass into the hands of the Commissioners ..
A financial statement is included in the Town Accountant's Report.
Respectfully submitted,
W. HEWITT CLIFFORD, Chairman ELSIE PARSONS KENNEDY, Clerk GEORGE T. HALPIN
Trust Fund Commissioners
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REPORT OF THE INSURANCE COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Insurance Committee revised the form attached to policies insuring buildings and contents under the schedule for the Town of Lenox, and the new form has been approved by The New England Fire Insurance Rating Association.
Fire, Theft and Collision policies expiring in 1957 are to be insured in a Fleet policy in order to effect a saving in premiums.
A distribution of insurance expiring during the year 1956 and covering Town buildings and contents under the schedule was effected.
The estimated cost of insurance during the year 1957 has been given to the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen.
The Insurance Committee again recommends that the Extended Coverage Endorsement No. 4 and Vandalism and Malicious Mischief endorsement be attached to existing policies. Present coverage is for perils of fire and lightning only.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. MOLE, Chairman
REPORT OF AN AUDIT
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