Board OK's engineering study bid to solve water leaks into sewer system

RUMFORD — Faced with the possibility of fines for allowing excess water to enter the sewer system, selectmen at Thursday night's meeting awarded a contract for an engineering study to a Portland firm.

Wright-Pierce, a New England engineering firm providing water, wastewater and infrastructure services to public and private clients, was one of four bidders on the inflow and infiltration project.

Town Manager Carlo Puiia said the first bid received didn't specify an amount to do the work. The second bid had a range of $30,000 to $50,000, but CES Inc. of Auburn bid $35,500 and Wright-Pierce bid $33,500.

Puiia recommended Wright-Pierce, and selectmen unanimously hired the firm.

The problem to resolve is figuring out where and how excess water is entering Mexico's sewer system treatment plant, whether from leaking pipes or manhole covers, he said.

"We are facing the possibility of fines, but they've been tolerant so far because we've been trying to correct it," Puiia said.

When asked if taxpayers would have to foot the bill, Puiia said the study won't cost taxpayers anything because money for the project had already been appropriated through the sewer fund.

Selectman Mark Belanger said it's important to find and fix the problem fast, because it's hampering future development.

"It could be as simple as sealing manhole covers better" to prevent storm water from draining into the sewer system, Puiia added.

In other business, the board:

• Denied a request by Mountain Valley High School students to conduct a toll-road fundraiser, fearing for the students' safety along the road and because they no longer want to allow such fundraisers for any entity due to public discomfort about having to stop and give money.

• Appointed Randy Welch to a three-year term as a Finance Committee member.

• Was advised by wind power development moratorium backers that they had nearly collected the required 500 signatures on a petition to force a referendum vote on the moratorium. Backers also invited selectmen to the first of a series of informational forums at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, in the Muskie Auditorium at the high school.

• Learned that Selectman Robert Cameron would be resigning to meet other commitments after the board's second meeting in November or until a successor was elected to fill his remaining year-and-a-half term.

• OK'd a new crosswalk to cross Hancock Street to Sagadahoc Avenue near the high school.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com