Boothbay Harbor Sewer District trustees moved through a lengthy agenda at their meeting on Sept. 17.

The first topic to be discussed was a review of the bids that had been submitted for the Commercial Street relining project. Vic Krea, project manager for Wright-Pierce Engineering, attended the meeting and participated in the review.

The BHSD received two bids for the work, which differed by approximately $30,000. The actual relining amounts were similar in both bids, but significant differences in projected costs for mobilization and demobilization, traffic control and grouting and sealing accounted for the different total bid amounts. Overall, the bids were significantly less than had been expected.

The next step in the process was completed when the trustees voted to authorize Wright-Pierce to submit the project to U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is involved in providing some of the funding under a grant.

Because the bids reflect a lower cost than expected, the trustees discussed the possibility of increasing the scope of the project to extend the length of pipe to be relined. A pre-construction conference with the representative of USDA was scheduled for Sept. 23.

The BHSD heating systems are in need of an upgrade and Wright-Pierce has been asked to provide an estimate for the new boiler that is needed for the plant.

Superintendent Chris Higgins explained that the office building heating system also needs to be updated. The building heating system is so old that parts can no longer be obtained.

The district looked at system that would combine heating and air conditioning, but unfortunately, there is not sufficient electrical capacity to power this type of system, so a propane unit will be installed.

Higgins suggested that the trustees meet to formalize a written long range plan for the system with a view to possible requirements over a 10-20 year period.

Best practices in maintaining the system would involve replacement of two percent of the existing pipe every year. The relining project will be the start of this effort.

The planning efforts will identify pipe in the system that needs to be either replaced or rehabilitated. Trustees agreed to meet later this fall for a planning workshop.