Problems with the septic system at the new location of the Biddeford Public Access station on Pool Street raise a number of questions and concerns with the city’s planning and purchasing process.
The building, where Biddeford’s cable access television shows are produced, and where many of them are recorded, was closed to the public briefly last week because the septic system there has failed. The building reopened shortly thereafter, as a portable toilet was placed outside for users’ bathroom needs.
It’s a situation that shouldn’t have happened as a surprise, especially not so soon after the city’s purchase of the building, which was only in 2006.
Anyone who has purchased a property knows that an inspection of the septic system is key before the sale is finalized. According to city officials, no such inspection was done on this building’s septic system. The city instead took the property owner’s word for it that the septic was in good shape.
This is clearly unacceptable and, indeed, negligent. In spending taxpayer money to purchase a new asset, the city should have been much more prudent about making sure it was an informed purchase.
Without an inspection, the city was unaware that the septic system was nearing the end of its life and was therefore unable to address or plan for the problem before a catastrophic failure took place.
The city has invested nearly half a million dollars in renovating this building for use as a cable access station. Now it is facing a substantial cost, as yet undetermined, to connect the building with the sewer system, which is 450 feet away. The expense is also going to be shared with the owner of the neighboring property, which shares the septic system.
Fortunately, the city’s share of the cost is expected to be covered by cable franchise fees rather than taxes, but that money could be used instead to improve the station. It’s not just the hookup that will need to be done: Pump stations will be required for each property as well.
So far, television programming has been unaffected by the partial closure of the station, since the portable toilet was brought in almost immediately after the septic system failed. Those who use the station to record their programming depend on the equipment, staff and resources there to create their shows, and according to Cable Access Director Steve Pulos, they’ve been able to continue to do so, albeit with the inconvenience of using an outdoor bathroom. It hasn’t been a big deal for most, he said, but does present a difficulty for some elderly people who do shows, particularly because of the current weather.
Work to connect the building to the sewer is already under way, said Pulos, and we hope the building can be hooked up to the sewer system quickly to remedy this problem, and that the project will not incur any expenses beyond what the cable user fees can cover.
Although it’s fortunately had only a minimal impact on the cable access station and its users, they still should not be in this situation. It’s an unacceptable oversight that the city staff in charge of facilities failed to have the septic system at this building inspected before it was purchased. Clearly, a more thorough processes should be outlined for the city to follow for future building purchases. Perhaps an updated, full review of all city-owned building systems is also in order before a problem like this comes bubbling up elsewhere, too.
Ӣ Ӣ Ӣ
Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
