Large Concession Stand Grease Trap Raises Eyebrows

This is probably what the talking heads mean when they talk about overregulation.

On Tuesday night, had a vote on a $40,576.24 appropriation to install a sewer line and 1,000-gallon grease trap to the new high school football field’s concession stand. The sewer line is needed but a 1,000 grease trap, for a concession stand that is going to be used a few dozen times a year – not so much.

“A 1,000-gallon grease trap is ridiculous,” School Building Committee member Tom Dembek said.

“I’m not saying it is what we need,” Buildings and Grounds Director Jay Miner said. “It is what is required.”

State law requires at least a 1,000-gallon grease trap for all places where food is served, Miner said. And while the regulation is written mostly for restaurants and places that serve food all-day everyday, it applies to the concession stand as well.

The School Building Committee agreed the 1,000-gallon grease trap was excessive, and voted to table the decision to see if they could get an exemption from the state. Miner said they probably wouldn’t be able to, but Dembek said he talked with Jim Bartelli of the Utility Commission, who said it might be possible.

Grease traps are plumbing fixtures that catch greases and solids before they enter the wastewater system. The concession stand is used for football games and other sporting events.