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Ward One Sewer Backups: Promises, Promises

by Mary Serreze | Nov 17, 2009 9:51 am

Posted to: Public Works

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Ward One City Councilor Maureen Carney called a neighborhood meeting last night to air questions and concerns about chronic sewer backups in the areas around Gleason Road, Jackson Street and Prospect Avenue.

City DPW Chief Ned Huntley told the dozen or so attendees that several backups have been the fault of the Northampton Nursing Home, where employees and residents were apparently flushing sanitary wipes, rags, adult diapers, and the like down the toilet. The Nursing Home has been fined a total of $10,000 for these infractions, which it has chosen not to pay.

Nursing home administrator James A. Lomastro and Richard Perry, his environmental services director, told the neighbors and others, including At-Large Councilor-elect Jesse Adams, that the nursing home would install a $71,000 “grinder system” at their sewer outflow location before winter. No binding agreement exists between the Nursing Home and the City to ensure that the project will be implemented. “It depends upon our bank in Boston,” Lomastro told the crowd.

Lomastro told questioners that the reason he hasn’t paid the fines is because the capital cost of installing the grinder is so high. Huntley remarked that the Board of Public Works had the authority to forgive the fine. Citizen Mary Finn, a small business owner, took issue with this concept, and politely gave Lomastro a piece of her mind.

“I respect that you’re in business, but I’d respect you more if you’d pay your fine. It would show good faith. When I was late with my water bill once due to an oversight, I paid the fine. The City pays to have the Prospect Ave line cleaned out every other week using taxpayer dollars. Talk of waiving the fees that you owe the City is ridiculous. You should be ashamed that you haven’t paid the fees that you owe to the City of Northampton.”

photo: James Lomastro, Administrator of the Northampton Nursing Home on Bridge Road

“We pay taxes too,” countered Lomastro. “We’re paying our fair share.”

A woman in the audience recounted having six feet of sewerage in her basement, and having her claim for restitution denied by the Board of Public Works. She said that two years ago, seven houses were plagued by sewer backups in their basements. “I’ve lived on Gleason Ave for fifteen years,” said Citizen Tom McNair. “This poor girl went through hell.”

“As a matter of policy we don’t honor claims where there is an illicit connection in the basement,” said Huntley. “Many of the houses out that way were built with illegal, below-grade sewer connections.”

Huntley told the crowd that the DPW was in the process of developing a comprehensive wastewater treatment plan that included plans for pipe replacement, realignment and repair in problematic areas of the city. Huntley remarked that the 2008 sewer backup problems in Meadowbrook Apartments were attributable to “grease in the system,” but that no cause could be found for the Meadowbrook sewer backup of 2005. “Every other Friday we are jet-riding that line so Meadowbrook can rent,” said Huntley. There’s a flat piece of pipe there that is scheduled for replacement.”

“There’s no grease in our system,” Lomastro added. “We have grease traps. Also, our staff has all been educated about what they can and can’t put down the toilet.”

Finn remarked that the absence of a Ward One neighborhood association has made communication about the issue difficult. Carney encouraged those in attendance to leave their names, phone numbers, and email addresses.

Other Resources: Read reporter Owen Boss’ account on his personal blog.

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