Farmington Town Council Meeting Recap: Sewer Deferments, Aging Infrastructure, and a Drainage Nightmare
The Farmington Town Council convened on September 11, 2024, for a regular meeting that turned into an infrastructure deep dive, covering everything from pump stations on their last legs to sewer assessment deferments for town-owned properties. With full participation from Philip Barnes (Chair), Mark Lawson, Sarah Gregory, and Kevin Johnson, the discussions brought some heat and the usual array of unanswered questions. Here’s everything you missed.
Sewer Assessment Deferments: Glen Hollow Drive Gets a Pass
The meeting kicked off with a motion to defer sewer assessments for multiple lots on Glen Hollow Drive, properties that now belong to the town. Philip Barnes opened the floor, and Mark Lawson explained the situation: $9,400 is sitting in escrow, waiting for approval from the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) to defer the payments.
“They’re not connecting to the sewer anymore, so why hold the money for a non-existent connection?” Lawson remarked, trying to bring some clarity to what has become a routine rubber-stamp decision.
But when Sarah Gregory was asked for more specifics on the escrow funds and whether these lots were being preserved as open space, she could only offer a shrug. “I’m sorry, I don’t know.”
Still, despite the haze, the motion passed without much pushback. Kevin Johnson voiced his approval, and just like that, the deferment was granted. Bureaucracy at its finest.
Aging Pump Stations: The Clock Is Ticking
From deferments to the Yukon pump station’s ticking time bomb, the council didn’t shy away from addressing Farmington’s crumbling infrastructure. Mark Lawson delivered a sobering update: the Yukon station, built nearly 30 years ago, is fast approaching critical failure unless the town acts quickly.
“This is one of the oldest stations we have. If it goes down, we’re in serious trouble,” Lawson warned, making it clear that deferring maintenance here wasn’t an option. The solution? A costly upgrade to the station’s Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and INC controls, along with an epoxy coating to preserve the wet wells for another 30-40 years.
For Philip Barnes, the issue is clear. “It’s either we pay for these upgrades now or deal with a major crisis later.” The South Road and Patrick Flood stations are also on the council’s radar, with repairs including rebuilt pumps and fog rod replacements. But the message is clear: Farmington’s infrastructure is no longer just aging—it’s on life support.
Mountainside’s Drainage Dilemma: Rock, Meet Hard Place
Next up, Mountainside’s ongoing battle with Mother Nature. When heavy rains hit, the steep terrain sends trap rock crashing into storm drains, leading to blockages the town can’t keep up with. Mark Lawson broke down the grim reality: high-pressure water jets (3,000 psi, to be exact) can’t even budge the rocks clogging the system.
“Even at that pressure, we can’t pull the rocks out. We’re considering using cables and hooks, but it’s an uphill battle—literally,” Lawson said, without a hint of optimism.
Philip Barnes questioned whether the town is obligated to maintain these private roads, but the council’s focus remained on clearing public storm drains near Main Street. Meanwhile, the rest of Mountainside is left to fend for itself.
“The bottom line is, we’re doing the best we can with the resources we have,” Kevin Johnson chimed in, echoing the sentiment of frustration. But the broader issue remains unresolved, with no clear long-term solution in sight.
The Wastewater Plant: A Rare Bright Spot
Amid all the maintenance woes, Mark Lawson managed to deliver one piece of good news—the wastewater treatment plant is performing well above expectations. For both July and August, removal efficiencies for Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) were above 98%, while nitrogen levels stayed comfortably below the permit limits.
“We’re 50 pounds under the nitrogen limits, which means no fines this year—and we’re getting a $10,000 check instead,” Lawson said, delivering a rare victory. Since installing the nitrogen tank, the town hasn’t had to use any chemicals, and the plant has consistently stayed within environmental guidelines. It’s not all doom and gloom, after all.
Storm Drains and Other Fixes: Small Victories, Bigger Problems
The meeting also covered some smaller but crucial maintenance updates. The town has been vacuuming and cleaning drains across Colton Street, Windham Lane, and Tungsten Street. Meanwhile, epoxy coating was completed on the VACCON loop, a critical piece of equipment used to remove debris from the storm drains and sewers.
When it came to the long-standing issue of flow meter calibrations for the town of Avon, Lawson assured Kevin Johnson that recalibrations were complete, and Avon’s finance department is expected to submit final flow data soon. “We’re ready on our end,” said Lawson, but the council remains in a holding pattern, waiting for Avon’s next move.
Setting the 2024-2025 Meeting Schedule
Before the meeting adjourned, the council approved the 2024-2025 meeting schedule, maintaining its usual Wednesday slot, with an earlier start time for the August session at 6 p.m. That may be the least controversial decision they’ll make all year.
Let There Be Light: The Flag Returns
The meeting concluded with a quick update from Philip Barnes about the Town Hall flagpole repairs. After several delays, the flagpole’s lighting system is finally operational, allowing the flag to remain lit at night. But not before a little comic relief.
“We tried tricking the lights into turning on during the day to test them, but no luck,” Mark Lawson quipped. The repair means the flag will stay illuminated at night, without the town needing to splurge on expensive new lighting systems. Small victories, right?
Special Thanks to Farmington Storage
Let’s not forget our sponsor, Farmington Storage—the only place in town where your collection of VHS tapes can live out their golden years in peace. Located at 155 Scott Swamp Road, they’ll take care of all your storage needs. Call them at 860-777-4001 and tell them The Farmington Mercury sent you. (They might even let you store that dusty elliptical you never use.)
For more details on the town’s infrastructure woes or to watch the full council meeting, check it out on YouTube.
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