Last fall, routine inspections of sewer pipes on Block Island revealed some new problems: leaking pipes, especially in areas around Bridgegate Square. The leaks weren’t so bad that sewage was leaking out of them, rather groundwater was leaking into them.The solution? Re-line the pipes with an epoxy-like substance that can be inserted into the old pipes from existing manholes, so no digging or excavation is necessary.The problem is that inputs to the sewage system would need to be shut down during the period of work, and since the work this week was in Bridgegate Square, many restaurants and businesses were affected.Business owners were expecting shut-offs on Wednesday and Thursday, for about eight hours each day. But when work actually started, some businesses were told that they would have no sewer service for only part of that time. On Wednesday, efforts were focused on Corn Neck Road, and shifted around the corner to Ocean Avenue on Thursday.Bill Padien, co-owner of The Old Post Office Bagel Shop, told The Block Island Times that Wednesday was a normal day, but he would have to close on Thursday. “I’d rather it be done now than in July or August because of an
