PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ward 4 Councilor Christopher Connell wants a commission to oversee the water and wastewater operations.

 

Connell said there was one years ago but it was halted under former city Commissioner of Public Utilities William Forestell. Now the city is facing what could be up to $150 million worth of capital upgrades to the two treatment centers and Connell wants that commission back in place to make sure everything is done right.

 

"I think we need a commission to oversee this entire operation. We are looking at not only personnel challenges but we are looking at $150 million, $75 for water upgrades $75 for wastewater upgrades," Connell said. 

 

The move is particularly triggered by a conversation Connell recently had with Tom Landry, the former wastewater supervisor, and the state Department of Environmental Protection. After speaking with both, Connell said he's learned that the upgrades as outlined by the consulting firm Kleinfelder may not be entirely needed. 

 

He said on the wastewater front, it is said the city needs to install filtration for both phosphorous and nitrogen. But in his conversations, Connell said he was told the nitrogen removal piece may not be required by the state for several years. 

 

"[DEP] is steadfast on what they're telling me, that nitrogen removal is out there," Connell said. "We're taking [the consultant's] word this is what we need and now I'm being told we don't need it."

 

Should all of those upgrades proceed at once, Connell said utility bills will skyrocket, even quadruple. His hope is that maybe the city won't have to borrow so much right now, do the phosphorous piece, and then when that is mostly or fully paid off, do the nitrogen piece. 

 

"He's telling me that nitrogen is at least, he's putting it in permit time frame, he is saying it is two to three permits down the road. In reality, that is 10 to 15 years down the road if and when DEP puts that as a requirement for wastewater plants," Connell said. 

 

Connell chair's the City Council's subcommittee on Public Works but admits he doesn't have the expertise to dig into the details. Instead, he is asking Mayor Linda Tyer to put together a group of experts to oversee the departments. 

 

"I don't want to take the word of the consultant and I don't have the expertise," Connell said.

 

He argues there is precedent in such a commission. The airport's budget is just $270,000 and has a commission overseeing it while the enterprise funds for water and wastewater is at $11.3 million. The $120.8 million Taconic High School project has the School Building Needs Commission overseeing just that project.

 

Connell added that there have been ongoing issues with personnel at the plant as well. He said there has a shortage of workers with the Grade 6 certification needed to be on site at all times. That has led to those certified working double shifts and the state granting a temporary stop-gap to allow those with lesser certification be present with the understanding they get that certification soon.

 

Nearly all of the City Council supports Connell's request. 

 

"To have additional eyes on this, I don't see that as a problem," Councilor at Large Kathleen Amuso said. 

 

Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi agrees that the councilors themselves do not have the expertise to follow the details and Councilor at Large Melissa Mazzeo cited the capital component as a major reason why there should be a commission.

 

"This is such a huge project that we really do need to have extra eyes," she said.

 

Councilor At-Large Peter White, however, was the sole vote against such a commission. He's worried about the slippery slope of creating commissions for every single department. He doesn't want the department heads to each have to answer to another group.

 

"I think we can use the public works subcommittee as this commission," he said, saying the City Council's subcommittee has the ability to request meetings with experts in the field.