By JOSEPH FITZGERALD

NORTH SMITHFIELD — Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton has asked the Town Council to suspend a controversial town sewer expansion project for up to 60 days in response to a massive public protest over the project’s cost.

Hamilton wants the 30- to 60-day moratorium so town officials can review the project and its financial impact.
“I have recommended to the council that due to the number of questions and concerns about this project, that a review of all information should be considered by them in an effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information to residents who will be affected by all phases of the project,” Hamilton said Monday.
There has been no decision made by the council yet, although the panel has agreed to go forward with a special meeting tonight at the North Smithfield High School to hear comments from residents on how they want the council to proceed.
That meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, was scheduled weeks before Hamilton’s request to suspend the project.
Tonight’s meeting is being held to follow-up on questions people have on the sewer bond and is essentially a continuation from a similar meeting held with the Sewer Commission two weeks ago. At that meeting, a crowd of more than 300 homeowners came out to voice concerns about the three-year project, which is being financed by a $21-million sewer bond approved by voters in 2007. The bond will be paid off over a period of 20 years by the approximately 1,000 homeowners required to tie into the system. The first phase of the project is completed and the second phase began earlier this month.
But many homeowners are concerned about the long-term cost of the project, which they claim was never explained in detail before voters went to the polls in 2007. Residents are up in arms over new estimates that could see the average homeowner pay about $21,000 - perhaps as much as $30,000 with interest - over 20 years. There is also the issue of thousands of dollars in separate costs for homeowners to connect to the new sewer grid.
In light of those estimates, a petition has been circulating throughout town to ask the Town Council to stop the project. It remains to be seen, however, whether the council can legally do that.
Many residents say they are frustrated that people who either didn't vote for the bond or were misled about the actual cost are now being forced against their will to tie into the system and pay thousands of dollars at a time when the economy is in shambles, people are out of work and the retired and elderly are struggling to pay their bills.
Residents also question the fairness of the assessments.
“The project was in full swing prior to my election,” Hamilton said. “My responsibility now - and throughout my term - is to provide residents with facts to enable them to make informed decisions.”
Hamilton said the time to suspend and review the project is now because it will have the least impact financially at this point.
“The current bridge loan from the Rhode Island Clean Water Agency for $2.5 million is the only current re-payment obligation we have at this time,” she explained. “Before incurring further debt, now would be the time to review all information pertaining to the project.”

The second phase of the project is focusing on the St. Paul and Great Road East area, while the third phase - scheduled to go out to bid in the fall with construction to begin in the spring of 2010 - will target the Willerval, Tanglewood and Victory Highway area.
As part of the second phase, one work crew is working on Green Street from Country Way and will be heading east toward Victory Highway, while a second crew has begun work at the intersection of Green Street and Country Way and is proceeding along Country Way to Ridge Road.
Hamilton believes the project and its financial ramifications were not clearly communicated to all residents.
“Although there were many public meetings and notices concerning this massive project, I am not satisfied that those who are required to pay these fees were adequately notified,” she said. “We do not have a list of households that were notified by mail nor do we have any confirmation that each household was informed of their obligation.”
Hamilton also expressed concern about the lack of contract bids for the project. John Roccio Corp. was awarded the $2.14-million contract for the first phase of the project last fall. That phase of the project, which targeted the Waterford Street, Warren Avenue, Park Drive and Green Street areas, has been completed.
“Many communities go out to bid for services of this magnitude,” Hamilton said. “According to the town charter, any work or purchase for more than $7,500 must go out to bid and three bids must be obtained followed by a confidential process of bid opening that must be adhered to.”
According to Hamilton, there was no bid process executed for design or administration- construction of the project, and that the contract was simply an extension of a contract that was held by a previous firm.
“Once a project is complete, the bid process should be utilized for any further projects,” she said. “There is also no clerk of the works that is overseeing the project on behalf of the town. As the second largest project that this town has undertaken, it would have been prudent to have someone dedicated to that role as a matter of good business practice.”
Hamilton said the Sewer Commission told her that considerable stimulus funding may be at risk if the town does not proceed with the project.
“My office does not have anything in writing to guarantee that the town will receive federal dollars,” she said. “Rather, I have been told that we are on a list with other communities who will be considered for the $13 million that is available for ‘shovel-ready’ projects. Being considered is not the same as having the money in hand so I believe prudence is called for here.”
Another major concern relative to the project, Hamilton said, is the lack of specific hardship provisions. In addition to the expense to connect to the new system, homeowners must obtain a permit as well as hire a contractor and electrician to install grinder pumps, which will be provided by the town.
“As stated by the Sewer Commission chairwoman, there are hardship provisions within the sewer ordinance, however, it is my goal to establish uniform guidelines which will remain in place as an assurance of a consistent approach to providing relief,” she said. “My administration is in the process of developing guidelines for hardship requests.”