Lunenburg Sewer Commission to Seal Laurel Lane Line Leaking 10,000 Gallons Daily

LUNENBURG -- March 31, 2026, Lunenburg Sewer Commission moves to seal a Laurel Lane pump line estimated at 10,000 gallons of daily infiltration. Commissioner Dan Proctor reported the find after twice visiting the site, where a disconnected inch-and-a-quarter line, taken out of service years ago when a residence was rerouted to Cross Street, was discovered flowing at roughly half capacity when a manhole was opened. DPW Director Bill Bernard said he would add the manhole to the scope of contractor In-Situ Form Technologies, which is already working through approximately 15 remaining manholes under a cementitious lining contract but has been held up by below-freezing overnight temperatures. The commission also heard that infiltration flows at the Francis Street pump station have declined since paving and drainage work on Francis and Stephen Streets, and that the stormwater task force has withdrawn its warrant article establishing a stormwater utility. Chairman Brett Ramston raised the prospect of requiring developers seeking to enter the sewer district to identify and remediate an equivalent volume of existing infiltration at their own expense, a practice he said Clinton and Fitchburg already employ, though no formal vote was taken.