Wheelabrator maintenance underway

SAUGUS – RESCO has been blowing off some steam for the last few days but it’s not out of frustration, it’s only routine maintenance.Wheelabrator, the parent company of Refuse Energy System Corp., a waste-to-energy facility on Route 107, has been undergoing routine repairs and maintenance to both boilers. According to plant manager John O’Rourke, it’s also receiving its once-every-five-years maintenance on the steam turbine generator that produces electrical energy.The side effect of the work, however, is steam that would regularly go through the turbine is being vented through the roof, which can be loud and obvious. O’Rourke said that has resulted in some calls and concern from neighbors, but he said they needn’t worry.”It’s just steam, just water,” O’Rourke said, adding it was nothing harmful.”Normally, the steam would go to the turbine, but while it is being overhauled we need to operate in a slightly different manner in order to continue to provide disposal services for the communities we serve,” he continued. “We are sorry if we have caused any inconvenience to our neighbors and ask for their understanding as we perform the inspection and repairs that are necessary for us to continue to provide safe, reliable service to Saugus and other communities.”O’Rourke has only been with RESCO since last July so he admits he has nothing to gauge the project against. However, he said colleagues have assured him that the cleaning procedure is being handled just as it has in the past.”We are recording it and trying to take steps in mitigating it,” he said.He also said Wheelabrator is working hard to complete the repairs as soon as possible. Currently they are about half- way through what is typically a 17-day process. The repairs, however, could go longer, he admitted, if they come across any unexpected issues.