Sewage treatment upgrade process begins

Twin Beaches news

Friday, July 24, 2009

The town engineer discussed sewer plant upgrade enhanced nutrient reduction options.

Mandated by the state, enhanced nutrient reduction, or ENR, systems reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharges from wastewater treatment plants, Mayor Bruce Wahl explained before Town Engineer Paul Woodburn presented a slideshow from recent field trips to facilities that already have ENR upgrades in place.

Two types of ENR upgrades were addressed by Woodburn, one with a greater capacity for expansion of development, which he said he did not think was necessary at this time. Woodburn narrated the slides, explaining the filtration equipment that has a "very elaborate piping system."

"It's unbelievable," he said, adding he could understand why the systems cost so much.

The project was assessed in 2005 and Woodburn said assessments need to be re-evaluated and costs need to be updated. In 2005 it was estimated at $2 million.

Woodburn presented three possible courses of action as the council was asked to choose an option and decide which company would be awarded the consultant bid for the project.

Woodburn suggested that the council approve the contractor for two phases of the construction.

"Both contractors are equally capable," he said of Stearns & Wheler and Whitman, Requardt & Associates.

After questioning Woodburn, the council members were leaning toward awarding the contract for only the initial phase of construction, but Woodburn said he was worried about funding from the Maryland Department of the Environment if the project lags.

"The funding is not going to be there forever. Every jurisdiction and county is chasing the money," he said.

The council awarded the consulting bid to Whitman, Requardt & Associates for two phases, with the caveat that the council must be satisfied with the work on phase one.

"We're really behind the eight-ball on this, and it's time," Wahl said.

Fees to be charged at Bayfront Park

During the mayor's report, Wahl addressed the parking problem and overcrowding at Bayfront Park, or Brownies Beach, suggesting a fee for visitors from outside the county.

"We grappled with it for quite some time," he said, adding it's the only free beach around and "it's the one that gets slammed the most."

The council agreed to charge non-residents beach usage fees and residents will be required to show proof of county residency to have free access to the beach.

Wristbands will be provided at this time despite the objection of council member Valerie Beaudin, who did not want to use wristbands, saying, "They're plastic and they'll end up in the bay."

Town clerk Michelle Jenkins said Chesapeake Water Park employees have learned hand stamps wash off, so the council agreed to use wristbands and revisit the issue and look for a more environmentally friendly way to distinguish beach guests.

As of Aug. 1, non-resident beach rates will be $7 for ages 3 to 11 and persons older than 55; $9 for ages 12 to 54; and children younger than 2 will be free.

B Street house permit revoked

Wahl reminded those present at the meeting about the framed house structure on B Street, owned by Frank Leniek, which toppled over in May 2008 crashing onto the adjacent home, causing both homes to collapse on top of Frank and Karen Hudson.

The collapse trapped the Hudsons under the rubble, with Frank Hudson being trapped for hours under the debris. Both were injured, but survived the incident.

Due to the lack of activity on the construction, the county revoked the building permit and the town subsequently revoked the zoning permit, Wahl said.

Because of the collapse and citizens who were concerned with the varying heights of construction on small lots, the town modified its height restrictions last summer.

The county did not revoke Leniek's permit to build at that time, but Wahl said of his original permit, "He will not be allowed to build it at that height."

Kellams Field tourney a successful event

A baseball tournament was held at Kellams Field on June 21, bringing hundreds of people to town as kids played games throughout the day, Wahl said. Les King of Homes by Les "made that 90-foot diamond a real showcase," Wahl said, thanking King and the town's public works department for improvements to the field.

The reconstruction of the field is in permit phase and the town is looking to raise the football field 6 inches for irrigation, but "[we] need state funding for it," Woodburn said.

The movie "Surf's Up" will be shown July 31 starting at dusk at Kellams Field as part of Flicks on the Field. "American Graffiti" will be shown Aug. 21.

charvat@somdnews.com