Guckian steps down as chair of Warwiuck Sewer Authority

Johnston Sun Rise ·

Now that he is living in East Greenwich, Warwick Sewer Authority (WSA) Chairman Aaron Guckian is resigning from the board after nearly a decade of service to the city.

Mayor Scott Avedisian appointed Guckian to replace board member Anthony D’Antuono when he resigned in January 2007. Guckian attended his first WSA board meeting in February 2007 and was elected secretary in March 2007. He served as secretary until May 2013 when he was elected chairman.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the board and am grateful for the experience,” Guckian said in a statement. “The WSA has come a long way since my first board meeting. We have tackled some tough issues together and stuck to our plans – which wasn’t always easy – to improve the finances and operations of the city’s sewer system. All the board members I have served with took their responsibility for overseeing this $300 million city asset very seriously, and I thank them for all their efforts to make things better. I will miss the interaction with my fellow board members as well as the community.”

Avedisian said Guckian “has served our city and the Sewer Authority well, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

In a telephone interview Guckian said he was proud of the many accomplishments of the Sewer Authority during his tenure on the board. He cited several achievements in particular, including: restructuring the way customers are billed for usage to better reflect the cost of providing sewer service which has resulted in more stable and predictable rates, paying back the City’s General Fund for past WSA operating deficits, establishing a Capital Improvement Plan and prioritizing infrastructure projects such as the rehabilitation of treatment facility’s main influent pipe under Interstate Route 95, improved relations with the City Council through working with the Sewer Review Commission, and customer programs such as the sewer connection grants and loans.

“I would be remiss if I did not mention WSA’s recovery from the flood of March 2010 which highlighted just how important this City service is,” Guckian said. “Everyone pulled together to get through that and we came out of the experience much better off than before. The WSA staff is made up of extremely dedicated clean water professionals who are a pleasure to work with. They have taught me a great deal about wastewater treatment and I now appreciate what happens after I flush the toilet.”

Guckian also points to an improved relationship between the City Council and the authority, which he attributes to the efforts of Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur and Ward 8 Councilman Joseph Gallucci. He also credits authority director Janine Burke Wells.

“There was a lot of rumors and speculation,” he said, “and that’s no longer.”

Asked who he thought might succeed him as chair, Guckian said all the board members bring expertise and professionalism to the board and they are all qualified to serve.