TOWN COUNCIL NOTES

Portsmouth has inspected 525 septic systems

Most of the attention focused in Portsmouth Park, Island Park

Jim McGaw
Posted 5/10/16

PORTSMOUTH — The town has inspected more than 525 septic systems since last fall as part of its new wastewater management plan.

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TOWN COUNCIL NOTES

Portsmouth has inspected 525 septic systems

Most of the attention focused in Portsmouth Park, Island Park

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — The town has inspected more than 525 septic systems since last fall as part of its new wastewater management plan.

“The program is doing what it’s supposed to do — getting the failing systems out of the ground,” Galen McGovern, the town’s wastewater manager, told the Town Council Monday night.

In September 2015 the Town Council approved an onsite wastewater management plan as well as a wastewater management district ordinance, which established rules that govern how local septic systems are inspected to document compliance with the state. The town also instituted regulations on removing failed cesspools and/or prohibited systems.

The ordinance and plan was in response to the notice of violation (NOV) the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) first issued to the town in 2010. The NOV alleged violations of the R.I. Water Pollution Act and DEM’s water quality regulations.

The town was initially ordered to install a sewer system and wastewater treatment facility to service Island Park and Portsmouth Park, and to complete a wastewater management plan. In addition, the town was fined $186,000.

However, in November 2014 both sides agreed that RIDEM would hold off on its administrative adjudicatory proceedings until the end of 2015 if the town submitted an amended draft ordinance and onsite wastewater management plan.

Applications are available to replace failed septic systems and cesspools with a 1 percent interest rate.

Ms. McGovern said 14 systems were found to have failed so far. Some of them have been replaced and others will be replaced soon, she said. 

Some homeowners didn’t wait for their inspection. “A few residents (replaced) their system because they knew this was going to be a problem,” she said.

Homeowners who didn’t complete their first maintenance inspection were issued Municipal Court summonses, although most cases were dismissed, she said.

“Really only one person has been fined — $100,” said Ms. McGovern.

State transportation plan

In other business Monday night, the council received notice of two public hearings the R.I. State Planning Council will be conducting to accept comment on the 2017-2025 draft of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as well as on an amendment to the current plan.

The hearings will be held at the R.I. Department of Administration’s William E. Powers Building, Conference Room A (second floor), 1 Capitol Hill, Providence, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 26.

The draft 2017-2925 STIP can be reviewed online at http://1.usa.gov/1SZ1DdN or at the R.I. Statewide Planning Program, 1 Capitol Hill, Third Floor, Providence, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Public comment on the document closes on June 26.

Seaconnet club expansion

Sitting as a Board of License Commissioners, the council voted unanimously to advertise for a public hearing to be held June 13 on Seaconnet Sportsman’s Club’s request to expand its service area to allow alcohol and food service on its entire property at 145 Sakonnet Drive in Common Fence Point. 

The private club is surrounded by water on three sides and the permanent expansion of the service areas would allow the club to take advantage of the scenic views, stated club trustee Alan Adams in an April 20 letter to the council. 

“This expansion of the service area would allow our members and their (guests) to enjoy the beautiful views of the (Sakonnet) River,” Mr. Adams said.

The Board of License Commissioners also took the following action:

• approved a new gunsmith/gun dealer license to Pocasset Arms, LLC, at 2968 East Main Road. Jeffrey A. Goyette is the owner of the business. Police Chief Thomas Lee said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has conducted a background check on the business.

• approved a request to advertise for a public hearing for June 13 to transfer a Class BV beverage license from C.A.C. Property Manager, LLC, doing business as the Newport Beach Club, to TNBC Beach Club, LLC.

• approved an entertainment license for St. Philomena School, 285 Corys Lane, for its Spring Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 22. An estimated 1,500 to 2,500 people are expected to attend.

• approved a liquor license to the Newport Rotary Club for a fund-raiser for high school scholarships to be held at the polo fields at Glen Farm from 4-8 p.m. on May 28.

• approved an annual peddler license to My Chourico, a sandwich truck owned by Marcos Vasconcelos. 

Appointment

The council appointed Paul Kesson, of 3241 East Main Road, to the Portsmouth Citizens Interested in the Comprehensive Community Planning Process.

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Meet our staff
Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.