Full Text:

Firm Seeks Edmond Road Sewer Line Extension

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

A firm that wants to buy the Union Camp corrugated container factory on Edmond

Road is seeking Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) approval to extend a

sanitary sewer line to the plant.

Rand-Whitney Container LLC of Worcester, Mass, is negotiating with Union Camp

to buy the factory at Edmond Road and Schoolhouse Hill Road which Union Camp

now uses for cardboard box manufacturing.

Rand-Whitney would use the building for the same purpose.

Fred Hurley, town director of public works, said he expects WPCA will soon

provide Rand-Whitney with a "pre-project advisory" stating whether WPCA

members favor the concept of extending a sewer line about 2,500 feet from the

intersection of Church Hill Road and Edmond Road to the factory.

Rand-Whitney has stated that whether it is allowed to connect to the town

sewer system is an important issue in whether it buys the Union-Camp factory,

Mr Hurley said.

Extending a sewer line to the Union Camp factory was included in a past

proposed municipal sewer district. But the sewer district which was approved

by voters in 1992 excluded that sewer line.

At a recent meeting, WPCA members formed a subcommittee to study

Rand-Whitney's request and report back to the full WPCA with a recommendation.

The cost of a sewer line extension varies depending upon the specific type of

piping configuration chosen, Mr Hurley said. A sewer line might be installed

beneath Edmond Road or beneath the road's shoulder. The line could be a

gravity-powered sewer or be a pressurized sewer.

A sewer line extension could cost between $200,000 and $400,000, he said. That

cost would be covered by Rand-Whitney, he said.

The Newtown Health District has endorsed extending a sewer line to the factory

in light of problems that have been experienced with the factory's septic

waste disposal system.

Paul Schaffman, director of regulatory affairs for Rand-Whitney, has explained

to WPCA members that one of the problems encountered in sale negotiations with

Union Camp is the condition of the leaching fields for the factory's septic

system, according to WPCA records. Rand-Whitney needs a long-term solution for

septic waste disposal before it seeks financing approval for a purchase.

In an October 16 letter to the WPCA, Mr Schaffman writes "Rand-Whitney needs

written assurance from the WPCA that it will be possible to connect to the

sanitary sewer after we own the facility."

Two "waste streams" would be discharged from the factory. One would consist of

approximately 2,000 gallons per day of sanitary wastewater generated by 80

employees. The second waste stream would consist to up 2,000 gallons per day

of manufacturing process wastewater and boiler water.

Union Camp has hauled such industrial-process water to a treatment plant out

of state for disposal.

WPCA members expressed concerns about the "strength" of the wastewater created

by the industrial processes.

WPCA member Alan Shepard asked whether Rand-Whitney is willing to perform

"pre-treatment" on the industrial wastewater before discharging it into the

town sewer system, according to WPCA records.

Mr Schaffman responded he hopes pre-treatment won't be necessary, but the firm

would consider it.

The town's sewer regulations allow the WPCA to set surcharges on properties

which generate high-strength wastewater because such wastewater increases

sewage treatment costs.

Union Camp announced last spring it will close and liquidate the assets of its

container plant on Edmond Road because of "unfavorable economic and market

conditions."

The plant is used to manufacture corrugated packaging and graphic displays

such as those used in stores to promote products.

Union Camp operates 25 other paper plants in the United States. The local

Union Camp plant and a plant in Florida have been targeted for sale because

they are not profitable in their market areas.

The 130,000-square-foot plant includes paper cutting and packaging equipment,

a warehouse, a shipping operation, and a sales force. The plant is assessed

$71,082 in local real estate taxes and $23,589 in personal property taxes

annually.

Union Camp is a $5 billion company that manufactures paper, packaging,

chemicals and wood products, and engages in land development. The company

ranks among the nation's 200 largest companies in sales, employs about 19,000

people worldwide, and has operations in more than 40 countries.