A regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairperson Richard Fournier. Commissioners present were Paul Poulin and Lucien Langlois. Absent from the Board was Commissioner Robert Delisle and ex-officio member Mayor Robert Danderson. Also present for this meeting was Superintendent Viens and Debra Baillargeon.
There were no Public or Board comments at this time.
It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept and place on file, the Minutes of September 20, 2006.
Under the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated October 12, 2006, Superintendent Viens reviewed the following with the Board:
Superintendent Viens stated that approximately 7,500 feet of linear water mains have been installed with a total of 9,500 feet possible by the end of this construction season. All but 2,000 feet has been installed by Berlin Water Works.
Richard Skarinka, NHDES and Mark Spinale, USEPA met with Superintendent today to go over the present water projects. They are pleased with the way the projects are being tracked and processed.
A comparison summary of water supplied from the Water treatment plant and what we have billed for this past quarter shows that 82.3% of the water is accounted for. In the past it has been as low as 50%. Water usage demand is presently less than 1 million gallons per day.
Temporary employees will be discussed later in the meeting.
Mr. Langlois asked about the condition of the road being used by Mr. Loranger for his wind mills on Jericho Mountain. He had heard that some grindings had been placed on the road. Superintendent Viens stated that there has been some improvement in addition to the grindings; Mr. Loranger has diverted some of the water that was causing erosion to the road.
Berlin Water Works is in the final stages of forced account work for this construction season. Following paving work we will have to down size the crew in November.
It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated October 12, 2006.
Board briefly discussed the Cashier’s report and the First Quarter Expenditures Report. Superintendent Viens stated that he and Tracy Wood, CLD are trying to adjust project cost totals for the NH DOT Green Street project as the railroad crossing cost was reduced with open trench rather than boring as was in the original plans. The adjustment will make a difference in the third payment that we make to the State for the Berlin Water Works portion of the NH DOT Green Street project. It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to accept the Cashier’s Report for the Month of September, 2006 and the First Quarter Expenditures Report.
Under Old Business Superintendent Viens stated that he and Tracy Wood, CLD had received a letter from the attorneys in the T Buck Construction vs. Berlin Water Works case and had made comments on the letter and returned the letter for the attorneys input.
There is nothing new to report on the Jericho Lake/State RV Park & Godfrey Raw Water Transmission Line.
Superintendent Viens stated that he had not yet set up a meeting with the City Manager, Public Works Director, Mr. Delisle and himself to discuss this City’s request on meter issue.
There was no change in the status of the water service for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Superintendent has not had any response to the proposal letter that was mailed to Larry D. Sayles at the Federal Bureau of Prisons on September 7, 2006. Superintendent Viens did speak with City Manager Pat MacQueen and Tracy Wood, CLD about setting up a parallel path between the Bureau’s engineers Wright-Pierce and CLD to discuss options for the water service and sewer service to the proposed Federal Prison. Superintendent also stated to the Board that plans are to supply Tracy Wood with a lap top computer to update the water model of Berlin on Water Cad. The plans require a lap top computer purchase and an upgrade to the present Water Cad software. It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to authorize supplying a lap top computer to Tracy Wood, CLD and upgrade to the software needed to create an updated model of Berlin’s
distribution system.
There was no change regarding the review of the updated sewer ordinance.
Board asked that the second State of NH DOT Contract Payment in the amount of $219,441.75 be placed on the agenda next month.
Berlin Water Works Contract Services - Superintendent Viens informed the Board that John Arsenault had repaired leaky propane lines at the bulk tank, work that would have had to be contracted out to Munce’s. Of the two remaining heaters to be installed one is in place and the second is ready to go. It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to approve an additional of 80 hours for John Arsenault. Superintendent Viens stated that the Board had authorized $2,000 for Corey Fecteau. He completed work on the generators that we usually hire out to Power Products. The estimate for Power Products would have been $4,000.00 Corey completed the work at a cost of $433.00 for labor and $422.00
for parts. Corey Fecteau stated that the fee would probably be less than this next time because this first time he had to do some research on the generators before he started the work. Superintendent asked that Corey continue to do some work as the full amount of $2,000 was not expended. Corey also stated that he would like to take some of the maintenance work to the NH Community Technical College to have the students do the work. At that point Berlin Water Works will be paying only for parts no labor.
It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to authorize the payment of the State Revolving Loans in November in the amount of $13l,986.16.
Under other old business, Superintendent Viens stated that Attorney Michalik had not received a phone call from Bob Morrissette regarding the back taxes on the M & M Building that was purchased by Berlin Water Works. Superintendent Viens did receive a copy of a memo from City Manager Pat MacQueen authorizing Blandine Shallow, City Comptroller to add the outstanding tax amount to the property on Riverside Drive owned by Mr. Morrissette.
There was no other old business at this time.
Chairperson Fournier appointed Mr. Poulin to act as clerk in Mr. Delisle’s absence.
Under new business it was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Mr. Poulin, with all in favor to approve a resolution for Chairperson Richard Fournier to apply for the FY 2006 EPA Grant
It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Mr. Poulin, with all in favor to approve a resolution authorizing Chairperson Richard Fournier to execute documents for the FY 2006 EPA Grant.
The Board briefly discussed the FY 2006 EPA application Package. Mr. Langlois questioned the footage on Route 16. Superintendent Viens stated that there are two water lines on Route 16 and Berlin Water Works would be eliminating some old water main. The older main is on the west side where most of the houses are and the newer main is on the east side of Route 16. Eliminating the water main on the west side would require connecting houses to the east side by 1) Boring across the street to the main, 2) digging an open trench for water service 3) or running a new water main on the west side. Most of the main on the east side is lined pipe for the sections that are not lined there is a process available that will line the pipe with cement or
epoxy in 500 foot lengths at a time. Mr. Langlois asked what would happen at the service connection when the liner is installed, Superintendent Viens stated that back flushing the service line takes care of the cement lining and that the epoxy is no problem it does not plug the service.
Personnel reviews will be discussed in closed session.
Under other new business the Superintendent stated that the staff has been talking with Brascan about the Peavey Lane (Third Street) meter building which has a backflow and meter. Brascan thought that Berlin Water Works would take over the whole system for the hydro but all Berlin Water Works would be interested in is the building for an amount of approximately $2,000.00. Berlin Water Works suggested that Brascan down size the water lines for their process, it presently has an eight inch fire protection system. Superintendent Viens stated that he had spoken to Carl Belanger of North American Dismantling System regarding a proposal for Berlin Water Works to dig and cut the water line and install a hydrant in the mill yard. North American
Dismantling System could then have a contractor run a service line from the hydrant. Water service at Sullivan Street was shut off in the street at Carl Belanger’s request; however the building has not been drained. The Board asked that the Superintendent contact Mr. Don Couture at Gallus & Green regarding the Main Office Building and the Industrial Relations building, as water service is presently on at both of these buildings and the heat has been turned off.
Superintendent Viens informed the Board that he had bought the trailer at the Federal Surplus in Concord, NH and while there he found that they have three ambulances. They are 1989 Ford 350 diesel, dual wheels in back, four wheel drive and they have dual batteries. The box is all aluminum and stainless trim; it has compartments on the sides and back of the box. The ambulances have 6,000 miles and would make excellent service trucks the price right now is $17,000, however the Superintendent left a message to let us know if the price is reduced. The ambulance could replace either the van or the flat bed trucks for Berlin Water Works. The Board suggested that the van and service trucks be organized to make it easier to find tools and equipment. A
Kubota three cylinder diesel engine emergency 6,000 watt emergency light system was also found at the Federal Surplus. The price on the emergency light will be between $1,000 and $5,000, the Superintendent will notify the Board when the price is determined, and the light system could be part of our charge out equipment. There is a twin to our international truck that we purchased from Federal Surplus the price is presently $17,000 and Berlin Water Works is second on the list for availability. The Board asked about changing the weight capacity on our present vehicles, Superintendent Viens stated that the weight change has to be done through the State of NH.
There was no other new business or communications at this time.
There were no Public comments at this time.
Chairperson Fournier commented on the condition of the yard at the 51 Willow Street garage, he asked that the Superintendent see that the yard is cleaned up and a silt fence installed if necessary.
The Board agreed to hold their next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 @ 6:30 PM at their 55 Willow Street Conference Room.
It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to enter into the non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II (a) Personnel – Wages and – Grievance and RSA 91-A:2I(b-c) – Collective bargaining and consultation with legal counsel. By roll call vote, with all members voting in favor, the Board entered into the non-public session at 7:38 PM. At about 7:46 PM by unanimous roll call vote, it was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor that the Board returns to their regular public meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to adjourn this meeting.
The meeting did so adjourn at 7:47 PM
A True Record ATTEST:_________________________
Paul Poulin, Acting Clerk of the Board
October 18, 2006
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