HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Works Annual Report FY 10 DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS
FY 2010
WATER SUPPLY & DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
In Fiscal Year 2010, 290 feet of eight-inch water main was installed. Also installed were 4
twelve-inch, 2 eight-inch, and 2 six-inch gate valves, along with 6 fire hydrants. The water
distribution system now consists o£ 147.56 miles of main pipe; 6 twelve-inch check valves; 4
twelve-inch altitude valves; 5 twenty-four-inch butterfly valves; 542 twelve-inch, 4 ten-inch,
1093 eight-inch, 1856 six-inch, and 4 four-inch gate valves; with 1489 public hydrants.
SIZE OF PIPE (INCHES) 24 12 10 8 6 4 3
LENGTH OF PIPE (FEET) 1917 271,026 7615 407,969 83,348 684 160
There were installed in 2010-1010 either wholly or partially, 39 water services. Four fire
hydrants broken off by cars were replaced and ten water main breaks or leaks were repaired.
Hydrants were inspected, repaired, and painted as necessary. Hydrant flushing started in April
and continued to June 30.
STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
1. KIND OF PIPE CAST IRON AND DUCTILE IRON
2. SIZES 3"TO 24"
3. EXTENDED DURING THE YEAR(FEET) 290
4. DISCONTINUED (FEET) 0
5. TOTAL NUMBER OF HYDRANTS ADDED DURING THE YEAR 6
6. TOTAL NUMBER OF HYDRANTS NOW IN USE 1,489
7. NUMBER OF STOP GATES NOW IN USE 3,506
8. NUMBER OF STOP GATES SMALLER THAN 4 INCHES 0
9. NUMBER OF BLOWOFFS 6
10. RANGE OF PRESSURE ON MAINS 20 TO 148 PSI
11. KIND OF SERVICE PIPE CEMENT LINED,LEAD LINED, COPPER,
CAST IRON,DUCTILE IRON
12. SIZE OF SERVICE PIPE 3/4"TO 10"
13. NUMBER OF SERVICE TAPS ADDED THIS YEAR 39
14. NUMBER OF SERVICE TAPS NOW IN USE 7,514
15. NUMBER OF METERS INSTALLED 843
As part of the Town's program to replace old water meters, Five Oaks Construction of Groton,
Massachusetts, replaced 439 meters throughout Town with new, radio-read style meters under
the Phase IV Meter Replacement Project. Town employees installed an additional 404 meters,
including both new meters and replacements. At Town Meeting, funding was approved for the
Phase V Meter Replacement Project.
Town Report FY 2010 Division of Public Works
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A contract to replace old, unlined cast iron pipe was awarded to Five Oaks Construction. The
project consists of replacing water mains on Brook Street, Gilbert Street, and Old Clark Road off
Sutton Street. Several hydrants will be installed on dead-end water mains to allow the Water
Department to flush the main in response to customer complaints of discolored water. Four
new twelve-inch gate valves were installed on Waverly Road between Halifax Street and
Turnpike Street.
Drinking Water Treatment Plant (DWTP) & Pumping Stations
Drinking Water Treatment Finished Water Pumped
Months Finished Water Pumped
Million Gallons (MG)
July 09 95.91
Aug 123.16
Sept 99.72
Oct 77.86
Nov 71.29
Dec 73.99
Jan 10 73.85
Feb 64.83
Mar 72.43
Apr 72.71
May 99.37
June 118.10
Total 1043.22
Average daily consumption 2.8675 MG/day
Max day pumping—August 19, 2009 6.3820 MG
Largest pumping period: August 17—23, 2009 38.8628 MG's
In July 2009 the Town was required to test for Synthetic Organic Contaminants (SOC's) in our
drinking water. SOC's are pesticides that might have entered the water from lawn maintenance,
or the improper disposal of the chemicals down drains or in septic systems. We are pleased to
report that out of the 50 pesticides tested for no SOC's were found in our drinking water.
The Town's Surface Water Supply Protection Plan was updated in September 2009. This plan is
used for the purpose of preventing, eliminating and controlling negative impacts on our drinking
water source. This plan was originally created in 1997 winning an award for excellence in
Environmental Protection and went on to be used as the State model for other towns.
During the month of October 2009 all DWTP operators, and Sewer Pump Station Staff, went
through a training regarding the safety aspect of Lock-out/Tag-out. This is a safety program for
locking out power when working with any form of energy such as electric, hydraulic and steam.
Town Report FY 2010 Division of Public Works
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By the end of 2009 the DWTP personnel, along with Weston & Sampson Engineering firm,
updated the Town's Water System Emergency Response Plan (ERP). This ERP complies with
State regulations along with giving the water system a comprehensive plan to react to several
forms of problems, emergencies and threats.
Throughout the year all operators at the DWTP attended several seminars, classes and training
sessions to keep them abreast of the latest regulations and technology associated with water
treatment. All DWTP operators have reached a Grade 4 level which is the highest level of license
that can be achieved in the State of Massachusetts. At the end of 2009 all Drinking Water
Treatment Plant and Water Distribution operators successfully renewed their license for another
two years.
During May 2010 the Water Treatment Plant sent out over 11,000 educational water quality
reports to all residents of North Andover. These brochures are part of a federal regulation to keep
the public informed and educated about the water they drink. This year's report covered subjects
such as the water treatment process along with our analytical test results, tips for water
conservation and the hazards associated with contamination from cross-connections along with
articles on Lead in Drinking Water, Pharmaceuticals in our water and the impact of Zebra
Mussels on our water supply. North Andover's drinking water is considered to be one of the
finest in the state.
The Water Treatment Plant received an award for the nineteenth consecutive year from the
Massachusetts Dental Society for "excellence in maintaining optimal community water
fluoridation as a recognized scientific public health measurement in the prevention of dental
decay."
As part of a new regulation, the Chemical Safety Control Strategy, a new Fluoride analyzer was
installed at the Water Treatment Plant. This new analyzer will more closely monitor the amount
of chemical going into the system and sound an alarm for the operators if the levels exceed
preset limits. Also, interlocks and alarms were also put in place on all chemical feed pumps to
prevent the over-feed of any treatment chemicals accidently into our drinking water supply.
DWTP Operations and Maintenance
Granular Activated Carbon quality control results showed no need to change out carbon this
fiscal year saving the Town thousands of dollars. The carbon filter lifespan and efficiency has
greatly increased proving that the addition of the filter air scour systems and new chemical
treatment is working effectively as planned.
A new 4 cylinder Chevy Equinox SUV vehicle was added to the fleet to replace an old sedan
once used by the police department. Cost of this new vehicle was $22,000.
Upgrades to the intruder alarm security systems were made at a cost of$3,600.
New Laboratory sterilizer was installed at $1,100.
New check valves installed to the waste sludge pumps, $5,000.
Town Report FY 2010 Division of Public Works
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The #2 Filter Backwash Pump/Motor was completely overhauled at a cost of $23,000. This
major piece of machinery is the first to experience failure due to its age, wear & tear. Plans
have been made to overhaul other major pump machinery at this facility. Cost in overhaul can
be expected 70% less verses replacement by new.
Repairs to the Ozone Gas Production process throughout this Fiscal year composed new exhaust
fan, fresh desiccant air drying systems, auto drain valves, actuator valve, destruct Unit heaters,
electric diodes, ultraviolet lamps and instrumentation preventative maintenance, air compressor
service and repair for a cost of roughly $10,500.
Overall repairs, improvements to the chemical handling systems such as new tank level sensors,
pvc piping valves, pumps electronic circuit boards, tubing and the chemical emergency interlock
system as required by the DEP Division of Water Supply around $8,700.
September 2009, chemically treated one half of Lake Cochichewick with 4500 lbs of copper
sulfate to control an algae bloom which if left alone, had a negative affect of the proper
operation of the treatment plant.
December 2009, replaced the motor to the radiator for the emergency power generator with a
new one at a cost of$4,700. Original was rebuilt to keep as a spare.
Winter 2010, the upgrade to the Foxwoods Booster Pumping Station was completed. New
pumps, motors, ductile iron piping, the addition of a fire pump and variable frequency drive
controls have greatly improved the water demand and pressure in this area.
Upgrade to the telephone line signals from old BANA circuits to new digital line circuits for
signal reliability from remote pumping stations and storage tank to the drinking water treatment
facility began. So far signals telephone line circuits from the Bradford Standpipe and the
Foxwoods Booster Pump Station were made. Others to follow upcoming fiscal years
Cross Connection Control Program (CCCP)
The program is ongoing annually in accordance with the Department of Environmental
Protection, Division of Water Supply 310 CMR 22.22 Regulations. The Town's Water
Department is ultimately responsible for all actions regarding this program to insure that it is
managed and maintained correctly according to Federal & State Laws. No cross connection
violations were detected in FY 10.
SEWAGE COLLECTION & TREATMENT
COLLECTION
Town Report FY 2010 Division of Public Works
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In North Andover, sewage is designed to flow in three divisions: The East Side Drainage Area
with its trunk sewer following Lake Cochichewick to the Merrimack River; the West Side
Drainage Area with two trunk sewers: one on Waverly Road, Mass Ave, Beverly Street and
Sutton Street, the other along the Shawsheen River; and the Central Drainage Area bounded by
Waverly Road, Middlesex Street, and Main Street to the Merrimack River by way of the Greater
Lawrence Sewage Treatment Plant. There are 89.35 miles of sewers in the North Andover
Sewerage System with 5,551 house connections.
SIZE OF
SEWERS(INCHES) 36 30 27 24 21 18
LENGTH OF 440 10,179 4,171 18,469 7,939 20,882
SEWERS(FEET)
SIZE OF
SEWERS(INCHES) 15 12 10 8 6
LENGTH OF 2,889 40,858 11,177 272,357 82,154
SEWERS(FEET)
In Fiscal Year 2010, DeFelice Corporation of Dracut, MA upgraded a portion of the Westside
Trunk Sewer in Waverly Road from Greene Street to Turnpike Street. New 30-inch diameter
PVC pipe was installed to replace the existing 21-inch and 18-inch diameter sewer lines in that
area of town. The new sewer line was needed in response to new residential development along
Route 114 towards the Middleton Line over recent years. The new sewer lines will also greatly
reduce the threat of sewer back-ups during heavy rain along that stretch of Waverly Road.
Also in Fiscal Year 2010, the Town received a $75,000 grant from the Massachusetts Emergency
Management Act (MEMA)to raise and seal manholes in flood plains around the Reas Pond and
Winter Street Pump Stations. The work was completed by Arco Excavators of Kingston, NH.
Historically, both Pump Stations have experienced high flows during heavy rain events. The
manhole improvements will help reduce extraneous ground water and surface waters from
entering the sewer system.
SEWER PUMP STATION (SPS)
During this time (16) wet wells were cleaned free of grease and grit to prevent pump failure, at a
cost of$8,000.
Emergency Power Generators preventative maintenance service and repairs were undertaken at a
cost of roughly $11,000.
In October of 2009 a pump was taken out of the Jasmine Plaza SPS and a new mechanical seal
installed - cost of$4,200.
Town Report FY 2010 Division of Public Works
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March of 2010 a variable frequency drive (VFD) was installed on Pump # 1 at the Boston Hill
SPS to make it more energy efficient at a cost of$8,300 which was reimbursed by National Grid
Energy Initiative Program. There are plans to install more VFD's upcoming fiscal year to other
Sewer stations for the same reasons.
April, 2010 the 2nd pump at the Winter Street SPS was epoxy coated and new mechanical seal
installed to increase pumping capacity cost $3,600.
In April, installed new electrical conduit from wet well to prevent leakage damage to pump
machinery, also replaced circuit breakers at the Rae's Pond SPS. In May two new check valves
were installed at Rae's SPS. Replaced exhaust system on the emergency power generator
May 2010, new pumping assembly was installed at Flagship Drive SPS.
May 24th, 2010 took on responsibility of inspections/ownership of the Meeting House Sewer
Pump Station from Meeting House Commons LLC.
Four severe rain storms affected the area from Feb 25th through March 31st 2010, all together
releasing 25 inches of rain. Much infiltration went into the Town's sewer pumping stations due
to swollen streams and ponds entering manholes or sewer lines. The Town's four man sewer
pump station staff worked 50 to 60 hours around the clock during each of two storms during that
time frame. I would like to commend their efforts for doing so since they worked diligently
without despair maintaining critically affected stations, and were responsible for preventing
sewerage from leaking out into Lake Cochichewick, watershed without much supervision and
maintaining public health.
I would like to thank Mr. John Grasso who wasted no time to arrange removal and cleanup
of tall grasses and weeds which clogged the drainage area surrounding the Willows Sewer Pump
Station during the month of June. Mr. Grasso did an outstanding job restoring proper drainage
to this area, as well as, repair work to the fence, gate and removal of plant growth surrounding
this station.
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
SOLID WASTE
Northside Carting of North Andover completed the third year of a five-year contract for
collection and transportation of solid waste. A total of 8650 tons of solid waste was delivered to
the Wheelabrator facility on Holt Road. The total was 100 tons less then in the previous fiscal
year, a decrease of approximately 1.0%.
The enforcement of waste bans on visible recyclables in the trash continued to reduce the overall
tonnage. The reduced tonnage saved over $ 41,827 in tipping fees.
Town Report FY 2010 Division of Public Works
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The fourth annual Earth Day cleanup was a huge success. 250 Volunteers removed 100 cubic
yards of trash from roadways and public areas.
RECYCLING
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee's efforts to promote and enhance recycling continued to
be very successful in the past fiscal year. Programs to improve education and outreach, increase
school recycling volumes, collect all numbered plastic curbside, and not allow visible cardboard
and paper to be placed in the trash have appreciably decreased solid waste tonnage and increased
recycling tonnage.
In June of 2008 the Town changed from collecting recyclables bi weekly with Town forces to
collecting recyclables weekly with a private hauler, Northside Carting. Also, the method of
collection changed from duel stream, co-mingled paper and ridged recyclables, to single stream,
which means that all recycling materials may be put out for collection into one covered container
marked as recyclables. The recyclables are separated at Integrated Paper Recycling Facility on
Clark Street in North Andover. This new collection service is as a result of the development of a
Construction and Demolition Debris Transfer Station by Thompson Brothers, Inc. (TBI) of North
Andover on Holt Road. The collection is being done at no charge to North Andover. In January
of 2009 the recycling drop off center was moved to the Holt Road site and TBI has been running
this successfully for the Town. This new process will make recycling easier for residents, which
will continue to reduce trash and save money. This year was the first full year of this new
process and it has been proceeding with out any issues.
A total of 2345 tons of paper, glass, tin, aluminum and plastic were recycled in FY 09. The total
was approximately equal to what was recycled in FY 08.
Approximately 360 residents participated in two household hazardous waste days conducted by
Clean Harbors. The DPW continued to provide bi-weekly curbside recycling collection, bi-
monthly appliance pick-up and operate the DPW garage drop off center for recycling and the Cyr
drop off center for yard waste on Sharpeners Pond Road. Fall leaf pickup, spring brush cleanup
and Christmas tree pickup were also conducted in FY09.
STREET & STORM WATER DRAINAGE/FLOODING MAINTENANCE
The DPW was tasked with downtown roadway improvements emphasizing creation of a
more conducive atmosphere for motorists, pedestrians, and businesses. The project was 95%
complete in FY 2010 with signage.
Roads repaired using Chapter 90 state funds included: Salem St., Johnson St., and Mass.
Ave.
ENGINEERING
The Department is involved in major endeavors, along with the day-to-day responses to
town boards, businesses, developers, and residents requesting engineering input. During fiscal
Town Report FY 2010 Division of Public Works
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year 2011, the Engineering Dept. continued its normal oversight of construction and installation
of town infrastructure including, among others, the Orchard Village subdivision and the sewer
construction along Rte 114. The Dept. provided reviews and comments on various projects
before the Planning Board, Board of Appeals, and Conservation Commission. It also assisted the
School Dept. with construction projects at Atkinson and Kittredge Schools.
For the first time, a comprehensive Right of Way policy was created, approved by
Selectmen, and published on the town website. This policy defines, clarifies and coordinates
activities allowed within the various Town rights of way. The number of road miles included in
the State's inventory of accepted roads was updated and increased so as to agree with the Town's
inventory. This increases the Town's annual allocation of state Chapter 90 funds used for the
maintenance and upkeep of local roads. The Machine Shop Village reconstruction project's
scope has been redefined to better fit within the budget created by allocated funds. Some
additional funding added by DPW to the project will allow the project to proceed in the
spring/summer of 2011.
The design and reconstruction of downtown Main St. were completed on time and under
budget. Using in-house staff and local contractors resulted in significant cost savings to the
Town on this project. The intersections of Main St. with Waverly Rd., Waverly Rd. with
Middlesex St., and Main St. with Water St. were redesigned with new alignments and
constructed in order to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety. The reconstruction of parts of
Chestnut St. and Marion Drive's roadway and drainage was completed under budget. The Autran
Ave CIP for installation of drainage and repaving was completed on budget this past year. Some
limited drainage improvements were completed across town including Great Pond Road
(various), Stevens St., Chestnut St. (various), Gilman Lane, and Marion Drive.
FORESTRY & TREE MAINTENANCE
Our skyworker bucket truck was active in FYI 0. A total of 75 trees were pruned,
25 were removed and 20 new trees were planted. Approximately 2000 Christmas trees were
chipped in January and a large amount of brush was chipped during the curbside spring cleanup
conducted in April.
Our tree department crews again worked with the various Committees in many ways throughout
the year: Christmas lights were put up in the Old Center Common as well as the downtown area
which made for a wonderful and festive display, flags were put up along Mass. Ave and Main
Street for the 4th of July celebration and veterans day, and wreaths were hung along these same
streets for the Christmas holiday.
PLAYGROUND MAINTENANCE
The playground system consists of Grogan's Field, 4.7 acres; Drummond Field, 5.0 acres;
American Legion Beach, 1.4 acres; Carl Thomas Playground, 4.7 acres; Aplin Playground, 1.8
acres; McEvoy Playground, 4.1 acres, Reynolds Playground 3.0 acres; the Gallagher Field at the
Town Farm 2.5 acres, the Cyr Recreation Area, 10.3 acres and the new Foster Farm Fields 6.0
acres. This brings the total number of acres to 43.5.
Town Report FY 2010 Division of Public Works
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PARKS & SCHOOL GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
The parks area consists of the Center Common, 8.1 acres; training grounds, 1.9 acres; Memorial
Park, 2.7 acres; Old Burying Ground, 1 acre; Historical Society Plot; Farrington Burying
Grounds; and 20 small plots at street intersections — a total of 15 acres. All park areas were
maintained, and mowed an average of once per week. All triangles at various locations were
maintained and mowed.
School ground areas consists of the Bradstreet School, 1.20 acres; Thomson School, 3.00 acres;
Kittredge School, 6.57 acres; Franklin School, 8.77 acres; Sargent School 15 acres; North
Andover Middle School and Atkinson School, 38.34 acres; and the High School, 44.52 acres— a
total of 117.40 acres. Baseball fields, track and field facilities, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and
football fields were maintained for competitive school events and for youth and adult athletic
events.
Our thanks to all the volunteer organizations for funding programs and improvements and for
their time and effort in maintaining and improving our playing fields.
Finally, in March we were saddened by the untimely loss of John Cyr, Superintendent of
Operations. John was a valued employee and asset to the Town. John will be missed by all of us
at DPW and those who came in contact with John on a daily basis; may he rest in peace.
Respectfully submitted,
Bruce D. Thibodeau P.E., Director
Division of Public Works
Town Report FY 2010 Division of Public Works
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