Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
Minutes 04/18/2012
   April 18, 2012

        A regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was called to order by Chairperson Lucien Langlois at 12:00 noon. Commissioners present were Paul Poulin and Michael Caron. Absent from this meeting was Commissioner Terry Block and ex-officio member Mayor Paul Grenier. Also present for this meeting was Superintendent Roland L. Viens and Lynne C. Lessard. Keith Couture was in attendance for part of this meeting.

        There was no Public – Board Comments.

        It was moved by Commissioner Caron, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept the Minutes of March 21, 2012.

        Under the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated April 12, 2012, Superintendent Viens reviewed the following with the Board:

  • We have been moved into our new offices.
  • Superintendent Viens gave the Board a copy of an overview of the annual construction season.
  • Superintendent Viens reviewed the updated snapshot of funding. As of April, 2012, we have $6m worth of approved projects. We are currently in the process of $3m worth of applications which brings BWW again at potentially $9m.
  • A letter dated April 5th, 2012 was received and acknowledged by the Board from the Berlin Boys Basketball team for solicitation of funds.
Primex Health Insurance is being billed directly to the Berlin Water Works instead of BWW paying the premium to the City. The salaried and retired employees are now on the new HMO policy.
  • Superintendent authorized Foreman Steven Lefebvre to accept the proposal from Electrical Installations, Inc. in the amount of $4,934.00 dated April 3rd, 2012 to perform reliability maintenance and improvements for our SCADA System.
  • Berlin Regional Airport has billed BWW for sand taken from the pit between January and March for a total 1,586 yards.
  • The office staff has been reconstructing certified payrolls with past sub-contractors regarding Davis Bacon.
        It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Caron, with all in favor, to accept and place on file, the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated April 12, 2012.

        It was moved by Commissioner Caron, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept and place on file the Cashier’s Report for the month of March, 2012.

        Under Old Business:

        The Board revised the Agenda to allow for Keith Couture – 18 12th Street – Water Break Damage Issue - Status as he was present for this meeting. Superintendent Viens informed the Board that he met with Bob Betters of Primex to review and discuss the property damage at 18 Twelfth Street. From that discussion, Primex issued a check for $3,500.00 to Mr. Couture. Mr. Couture stated that he has not cashed the check as of this date. He will again contact his Insurance Company to see if they will also pay from his policy. He stated that it would be $2,500.00. (note: After the meeting, in follow-up call from K. Couture, his insurance will also pay him with a $2500 check.) As this was an unforeseen incident, the Board and Superintendent all agreed that damages to Mr. Couture basement should be “made whole” and resolved. Mr. Couture provided the Board with another quote from Bailey’s Interior Remodeling in the amount of $7,100. (There may be other cost not included in this estimate.) It was moved by Commissioner Caron, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, with the condition that if Mr. Couture is able to receive the check from his homeowners insurance, that BWW would take care of the balance, but not to exceed the quote. At the direction of the Board, Superintendent Viens will contact Attorney Michalik and keep in contact with Mr. Couture to have this situation resolved by next Wednesday. Mr. Couture will also contact Superintendent Viens regarding his insurance policy prior to the Superintendent contacting Attorney Michalik. Mr. Couture left the meeting at 12:45pm.

  • HEB – 55 Willow Street Facility Upgrade – Project Status: The garage project has made significant process, they finished pouring the floors, and the sub-roof and siding are on. We have made five payments to AR Couture Construction in the amount of $820,988. We are also in the process of working on a submittal for the energy costs. Out of pocket, BWW has expended approximately $35k to-date.
  • Project Status – Planning & work Status: DBU (horizontal borers) came last Wednesday for the high pressure line. They bored and pulled 495 ft of HDPE pipe on Monday. Yesterday they moved north and are behind the Public Works Garage and they bored north again just 580 feet and tomorrow they will start pulling that section of pipe. We started work on Sweden Street. Also, one of our temporary employees, Norm Sevigny, suffered a serious shoulder injury today. They were working on a service line leak and he stepped into a blind spot of the backhoe operator and as he was bumped, he fell across the hole dislocating both of his shoulders. He was then taken to the hospital.
  • AFSCME’s Negotiations – Rejected by City Council – Salary Insurance Change 04/2012 Status: Nothing to report regarding the negotiations; however; we have the salaried and retired employees on the new policy.
  • D. Keith Couture – 18 12th Street = Water Break Damages Issue – Status: See Above.
1. Jeffrey Morgan-Allain – 12th St – Sewer Back-up Status: This is being handled by Mike Perreault Public Works Director.
  • Upgrade Two-Way Radio System – Narrow Band – Status: The hardware is due to be in next week and we still not have heard about the re-licensing to narrow band.
  • Hydraulic Model Upgrade – Proposed Provan & Lorber Contract – Status: We will be meeting with Provan & Lorber next Tuesday.
  • Godfrey Pipeline Upgrade – Status: We are working on the permitting. Provan & Lorber has a list of items that Andy is working on. A letter to the Forest Service was submitted and the funding agency has everything they need except the finalized environmental permit info.
  • Maynesboro Stud Memorial Ride – September 15, 2012 – Status: Superintendent Viens met with Water Nadeau and Mr. Nadeau will provide a copy of their insurance certificate.
        Under New Business:

  • Resolution for NHSRL application of $2,000,000. and Authorization for Chairperson to sign Resolution and application: It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Caron, with all in favor to authorize Chairperson Lucien Langlois to sign all necessary documents for this application.
  • Appoint Chairperson of the Board of Water Commissioners: It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Caron, with all in favor, to have Chair Langlois continue his position on the Board.
  • Approve NHSRL #05 Payment due May 1st, 2012: It was moved by Commissioner Caron, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to make the May 1st payment to the State in the amount of $120,495.44.
Review and approve Water Quality Report: It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Caron, with all in favor, to approve the Report and have same as inserts in our next quarterly billing.
Employee Reviews: This item was revised on the agenda for the Board to discuss last.
  • Public Hearing for the Budget May 23, 2012 (City Budget Hearing is 05/23/12 at 6:30pm): The Board of Water Commissioners will hold a work session to discuss and BWW’s Budget on May 9th, 2012 at our 55 Willow Street Office at 12:00pm noon, and to have the office staff schedule the City Hearing on 05/23/12 at 6:00 pm.
Other and Communications: Commissioner Caron asked the Superintendent on BIDPA’s behalf, why the Water Works is interested in acquiring the land near the Industrial Park. Superintendent Viens responded by saying that we want to put another well up in that area as a “backup spare” then the next step would be to run the wells together. Superintendent also said that he would be willing to meet with the BIDPA Board to discuss this project.

        The Board agreed to hold their next regularly scheduled meeting at 12:00 noon, on Wednesday May 16, 2012 at our 55 Willow Street Conference Room.

        Public-Board Comments: It was noted that we should try to get an alternate member for the Board. Superintendent Viens will contact our Attorney Michalik and also with Mayor Grenier for protocol.

        At this time the Board discussed employee reviews. Office employee’s Debra Baillargeon (July) and Lynne C. Lessard (September) annual performance review was moved by Commissioner Caron, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation for these two employees. Water Treatment Plant Operator Marc Bergeron (July) was also approved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Caron, with all in favor, to accept the Superintendent’s recommendation for this employee.

        The Board did not enter into a non-public session.

        There being no further business to come before this meeting at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Caron, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to adjourn this meeting.

        The meeting did so adjourn at 1:25pm.

A True Record:                          ATTEST:__________________________
                                                        Paul Poulin, Clerk of the Board