Warren's all-important wastewater management system will soon get some needed fixes in the coming months after the council at its July 14 meeting approved the reallocation of existing funds towards the projects.

One of the elements, repairing a blower motor on the aeration tank at the wastewater facility on Water Street for the amount of $54,487, was backed with little bother.

The other, however, as presented by Town Manager Brian Sullivan and plant manager Eric Komiega, included a lengthy discussion on how to best approach the matter.

The facility uses three pumps at its Wood Street station, two of which are in need of attention. Sullivan and Komiega were seeking to utilize $50,000 in unexpected funds towards remedying the situation.

The monies for both of the projects, said Sullivan, come from contingency funding for repairs budgeted the prior year and from revenues not previously allocated.

There's three blowers at the Wood Street location. Sullivan reminded the council he had approached the body in February of this year about an issue with one. An oil leak occurred during one of the winter's major snowstorms, seizing the motor on the device.

Komiega has been able to keep it going with temporary fixes, but said it should be replaced with either a rebuilt model or completely new piece. The cost for each was said to be $25,595 and $52,378, respectively.

When asked, Komiega said a rebuilt pump could last up to 20 years. A new version, obviously, would have a longer life. It was around that time in the discussion when it was mentioned a second pump was likely in need of a more permanent fix as well.

"This one needs to be rebuilt or replaced. The second pump in line there is also aged, and at some point there's going to be an issue. If we can afford the new one, I would feel more comfortable with the new one, but we can rebuild two," Komiega explained.

Council Vice President Joseph DePasquale along with colleagues Louis Rego and John Hanley talked the realities, specifically the financial ramifications, of going in either direction. DePasquale said as the talks continued he was unaware of a second pump being imperil until Komiega made mention of its plight.

Komiega later added, "So if I had a choice, I would go with the two rebuilt, just knowing that three pumps are going run."

He said as much because of past knowledge contending with severe weather events, like torrential downpours. Komiega explained if all three pumps aren't in use, the station "will back up. Then the water will back up to the point that it comes over the floor in the basement, and then it starts backing up Market Street, Child Street. That's on two pumps in a significant rain event. They will not keep up with the flow. I would love to see both pumps rebuilt."

Prior to the vote Council Vice President Keri Cronin sought to ensure the repairs would be staggered, allowing the station to function properly while the fixes were being made.

"But just so we know, you're not going to rebuild them both at the same time. You're going to rebuild the one that's in the worst condition...And then when that is complete, you go to do the other one, we may find out that it doesn't cost quite as much," she said.

To both of Cronin's points, Komiega answered, "correct" and "exactly."