Walmart to help Saugus with Route 1 water main upgrades

SAUGUS – Town Manager Andrew Bisignani describes the mile-long stretch of Route 1 between Walnut Street and Essex Street as a “checker board.”Long after the traffic jams have dissipated, the patchwork of repairs left over after the numerous water main breaks in the area – four this year alone – are a constant reminder of the ongoing problem buried beneath the road.But help may be on the way, as Bisignani said a new proposal is being put together to apply for a MassWorks Infrastructure Grant. The grant would be similar to the one received for the expansion of the Shute Brook culvert two years ago, which Bisignani called a “great success” that fixed major flooding in the area.After years of seeking state and federal money to repair the aging water main came up empty, Saugus now has a new weapon: Walmart. With the announcement last month of a new store opening on Route 1, Bisignani said the company will be replacing a stretch of water main in front of the store.”Walmart realizes they’re going to need some reliable utilities in the area so we informed them that they’re going to have to do some work on the utilities,” said Bisignani. “Out of those discussions came a new pumping station for the sewage and also approximately 800 to 1,000 feet of new water main. That expense will be born by Walmart.”But while 800 to 1,000 feet of new water main won’t fix the whole problem, it will mean less water main would need to be replaced, thus bringing down the current $3 million price tag for doing the entire stretch.This, along with the potential economic benefits of a new Walmart store, is what Grants Consultant Paul Rupp said makes a strong case for Saugus. Especially since economic improvement is part of the eligibility requirements for the grant.”That was my suggestion for going after this,” said Rupp. “We have a major development going in and we have sites along Route 1 that can support businesses and the water mains are hampering business. We’ll need to make the case that there will be economic development to the town and to the commonwealth.”Rupp said a rough estimate of the new cost for the project would be around $2 million, and that he plans to emphasize both the economic impact of the water main and the transportation problems that arise when there is a break.Bisignani called Walmart an “important component” to the town’s economic development, but said they aren’t alone in chipping in to fix water lines along Route 1. He pointed to stores like Lowes, L.A. Fitness and the Shoppes at Saugus as helping to reduce some of the problems in the area with water main upgrades.Department of Public Works Director Joe Attubato said all these factors could help Saugus finally find a solution to its long running water problems. And if in fact the grant is awarded, he said there would be plenty of benefits.”It would be a big help,” said Attubato. “Not only would we be able to abandon the old (water main), but this would help bring up the water volume and the pressure not only for businesses but for the fire department as well.”Along with the new lines, Bisignani said Walmart will also be splitting the administrative expenses that go into the grant process, which would amount to $7,500 each.The deadline for the grant application is Sept. 1, so Rupp said there will be a lot of writing to do over the summer. Once submitted, the review process could last several months.But even though the town has a solid argument for a new water main, Bisignani said it won’t be easy to win the grant money.”It’s very competitive,” said Bisignani. “But with the right presentation we have a good chance. Hopefully the town will get the award. It will be a huge relief for everyone.”