In early October all three members of the Rockland Board of Sewer Commissioners suddenly resigned. It is not entirely clear why they all resigned at once but there have been a number of instances where the Commissioners’ efforts to address Rockland’s failing sewer infrastructure have not always been publicly supported.
Like so much of our water infrastructure, Rockland’s Sewer Treatment Plant is failing as the result of years of deferred maintenance. This has led to leaky pipes and very high rates of inflow and infiltration (ie. freshwater) into the system which offsets the capacity needed for sewage. As a result, the Sewer Treatment Plant can not handle the current capacity and this has led to discharges into French’s Stream and the closure of shellfish beds as far as 16 miles downstream from the treatment plant. For previous articles on this, click here and here.
There is no immediate fix and the most recent Sewer Commissioners developed a plan to take corrective action to address their current clean water act violations with the EPA. As a part of this plan, the Sewer Commission enacted a moratorium on new connections in order to stabilize the system and get a better handle on the current capacity. This moratorium has been a bone of contention for those in Rockland who want to see the local economy grow through new development, both residential and commercial. These are complicated issues with no simple fix and it is important for all parties involved to understand that this will take time and collaboration in order to be successful.
Both the Sewer Commissioners and the Sewer Superintendent roles are essential in that they provide oversight over the contractor that operates the Sewer Treatment Plant, Veolia, and manage elements of the system outside the plant, such as the collection system, outstanding contracts and addressing the failing plant. Rockland has also been without a Sewer Superintendent for some time, though the Select Board appointed an Interim Superintendent, David Taylor, at their October 15 meeting. The Select Board is now looking to appoint Interim Sewer Commissioners who will serve until the next election at the April Town Meeting (Rockland’s Sewer Commissioners are elected positions).
The Town Administrator is currently accepting Letters of Interest from qualified candidates. This is an important position with the opportunity to make a real impact on Rockland’s sewer system and the health of our rivers. If you or anyone you know lives in Rockland and has experience with infrastructure, engineering, public works and public communication, we strongly encourage you to send a Letter of Interest to the Town Administrator, David Lapp, at dlapp@rockland-ma.gov, CC: side@rockland-ma.gov.