SAUGUS — The Board of Health received an update on WIN Waste Innovations’ turbine overhaul project, which was scheduled to be completed on Nov. 18. The project occurs once every five to seven years and is a $15 million investment.
The turbine went back online Tuesday, the day after the Board meeting.
Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian approached the Board to ask if they knew why this project had not been finished yet.
“This project was reportedly supposed to be completed on Nov. 18. That’s what you were told last time. Why isn’t it done?” he asked.
Manoogian stressed that there needs to be better communication for the people of East Saugus.
“What I would say is that maybe something delays the work that’s being done. I don’t know,” Board of Health Chair Maria Tamagna said.
Manoogian then asked whether this could be posed to WIN.
Board member Joseph Dorant then asked Environmental Compliance Manager Joe Brady if he had a timeline for when the turbine overhaul project would be completed.
“The turbine is back on site, and they’re doing their final stages of getting everything assembled, rotating, their checks. … It is imminent that it’s going to be back,” Brady said.
Tamagna then asked if there was a reason for the delay.
“I’m sure you’re used to construction projects. There was a thorough investigation done by GE. It took longer than expected, and that is what caused the delay,” he said.
Manoogian also questioned the Board about whether they knew about recent noise complaints in the area, which Dorant also brought up, and whether those calls go to the Board. Manoogian noted that when he called the police about the noise, they told him to notify the fire department.
Public Health Director John Fralick said he had not received any notice of the complaints, but that people should call the Board of Health and him about them. Tamagna also stated her phone number was available on the Town website for those calls.
Brady also said that WIN Waste had investigated the noise complaint and had not heard anything or picked up anything on a decibel meter.
He also said there was nothing operational at the facility that was generating noise.
Manoogian reminded the Board of the nuisance bylaw that Town Meeting approved of and was fought for, noting that it needs to be used to help “protect the people of East Saugus.”
The Board agreed that they would appreciate knowing when these calls come in so they can be addressed more effectively and be prepared before the start of meetings.
