November 15, 2006
A regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairperson Richard Fournier. Commissioners present were Robert Delisle, Paul Poulin and Lucien Langlois. Absent from the Board was ex-officio member Mayor Robert Danderson. Also present for this meeting was Reporter Jean Leblanc, Superintendent Viens and Debra Baillargeon.
There were no Public comments at this time.
Under Board comments, Commissioner Langlois informed the Board that he had a call from a Wight Street resident regarding the cross trenches on Wight Street. She told him that she was told in the spring that Berlin Water Works would be final paving the trenches. The final paving has not been completed yet. Superintendent Viens stated that there was more paving to be completed this year with the water construction projects and high priority has been the unpaved areas. Paving was completed Tuesday on Nansen Street and today at Dunkin Donuts/Green Square. The Wight Street cross trenches may be completed between now and Thanksgiving either with a shim coat or final new five inch repave.
Commissioner Delisle informed the Board that he had received several calls about the hydrant at the corner of Champlain Street and Coos Street. It has been covered and out of service since fall flushing. Superintendent Viens said he would find out why the hydrant is covered.
There were no other Board comments at this time.
It was moved by Commissioner Delisle, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept and place on file, the Minutes of October 18, 2006.
Under the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated November 9, 2006, Superintendent Viens reviewed the following with the Board:
1. Superintendent Viens discussed a report received from Primex. There has been some improvement in our modifier it was 1.18 last year and 1.09 this year. The results of the change will be a decrease in our bill for next year, the payment due next year will be approximately $14,000 from $16,000 in 2006.
2. Accounts with no meters were discussed, Superintendent Viens stated that we started with a list of eighteen customers with no meters and we are now down to the Brookside Park accounts. Meter installations will be scheduled this winter.
3. Planning Board sent a memo to Berlin Water Works regarding a lot line adjustment on Jericho Road. The lot line adjustment does not affect the Berlin Water Works right-of-way it is for information purposes only.
4. Superintendent Viens stated that he had met with Dick Huot and Jay Poulin of Cornerstone Project about paving Mechanic Street. Public Works Director, Ernie Allain has agreed with four inches of pavement on Mechanic Street. The plan is to have Northern Paving do a layer of three inches this year and then next year when all substructures have been completed a final one inch layer will be applied. Cornerstone has not gone out for competitive bids on the project so the paving will be done through the Berlin Water Works bid and Cornerstone will be billed for their portion. The Board agreed with this proposal to pave Mechanic Street this year.
5. Superintendent Viens reviewed the Accounts Receivable with the Board. It was noted that Fraser has not paid their quarterly billing yet and the total accounts receivable also includes the final assessment billing for Fraser that would not normally show up until the month of January. Superintendent Viens also notified the Board that we received written notification that Great Lakes Hydro has taken over the Third St account from Fraser as of the last meter reading.
6. Superintendent Viens informed the Board that Matt Rouleau was out on an injury. He was hurt moving some boulders into the bucket. He had surgery and is scheduled to return to work on light duty Monday.
7. Chairperson Fournier questioned the status of the heaters, Superintendent Viens informed the Board that the heater installation with the help of John Arsenault is complete and the heaters are operating. The next project for Mr. Arsenault is to work on recycled flow at the treatment facility; he knows where the problems are but is waiting help from Charlie Fritz of Electrical Installations to program some changes into the SCADA system.
It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor, to accept the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated November 9, 2006.
Board briefly discussed the Cashier’s report and the chart of cash reserves. Superintendent Viens also informed the Board that he had spoken to Attorney Michalik and he will provide the Northway Bank with an explanation of our relationship with the City of Berlin. This will give the bank a clear path to decide how they will help us with a line of credit. It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor, to accept the Cashier’s Report for the Month of October, 2006.
Under Old Business Superintendent Viens stated that the chosen path was to appoint a judge for mediation. Attorney Michalik said that no judges were available but he did find a firm of retired judges in southern New Hampshire and a tentative date of December 13, 2006 has been chosen for a mediation meeting.
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 but plans to soon.
There has been no change on Loranger Easement Review. The work that Christian Loranger did on the access road has taken care of seventy-five percent of the problem with run off. As for the operation of the windmills, he is waiting for a control system to regulate the flow of electricity from the wind mill to the Public Service of New Hampshire distribution system.
There was no change regarding the review of the updated sewer ordinance. Superintendent Viens stated that he will combine this topic with the meter issue when he meets with the City Manager, Public Works Director and Commissioner Delisle.
Superintendent Viens notified the Board that he had received a purchase order from the Federal Bureau of Prisons for the hydraulic study that was recommended in the letter Berlin Water Works sent on September 7, 2006. The study will be completed by Tracy Wood of CLD Consulting Engineers, Inc., the Federal Bureau of Prisons has submitted some questions to be answered by the study and has requested four copies of the report. Once the report has been submitted the Federal Bureau of Prisons will send the $20,000 payment as stated in the purchase order. Chairperson Fournier asked about the lead time for the hydraulic study completion. Superintendent Viens stated that Tracy Wood is going to send in writing this week the proposed completion date.
The Superintendent reviewed for the Board that the contract with NH DOT for the Green Street project is approximately $439,000. Berlin Water Works paid $65,832.53 on November 23, 2005 for the first of three payments. It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to authorize the Superintendent to pay the second payment to NH DOT in the amount of $219,441.75.
Berlin Water Works Contract Services – Corey Fecteau was asked to follow up on some work he did at the Church Street pump station. It was found that the pump has issues with the rotating assembly also the coupling is wrong on the motor connection. The pump at the Church Street Pump Station is unique to all other pump systems here at Berlin Water Works. It is a PACO pump and system has a cylinders operated valve that is designed to protect the system against surges. Today an electronic valve would be the choice installation, or no valve on the system; only soft start on pump motor all the other pump stations do not have a valve. The ideal solution is to install a soft start regulator between the starter and the motor; this would start the
motor more slowly, preventing a surge. High maintenance on the present Church Street pump system would be eliminated with the installation of a new Gould pump for $6,000 with soft start, the existing motor could be used with the new pump. Superintendent Viens also stated that the two pumps at the Cates Hill pump station should be replaced. More options will be explored. Corey Fecteau would help with the installation of the pumps. John Arsenault has been taking a CDL course and has not worked for the Water Works much since the last meeting. The staff is presently trying to set up a time for Charlie Fritz to meet with Mr. Arsenault to work on the recycle flow as discussed earlier. Also last year the Board authorized with competitive bids to replace the weather heads on the SCADA towers, low bidder was Ray’s Electric, but he has been very busy since that time. Mr. Arsenault said he would be able to replace the weather heads
with the use of a man lift. The Board agreed to have Mr. Arsenault resolve the weather head problem with the SCADA towers.
Under other old business, Superintendent Viens passed out information about the T Buck Contract suit for information only.
There was no other old business at this time.
Under new business it was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Mr. Poulin, with all in favor to authorize the Superintendent to make payment of $285,298.35 on State Revolving Loans 1, 3 and 4 that are due December 1, 2006.
The Board briefly discussed the Federal Surplus Dump Truck that is available for $17,000 as well as a few other items still available. The truck has half the mileage of the last surplus dump truck that Berlin Water Works purchased. Chairperson Fournier recommended that Don Riff from Public Works accompany the Superintendent to inspect the truck before purchasing. It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to authorize the Superintendent to purchase the Federal Surplus Dump Truck pending inspection by Don Riff for an amount of $17,000 plus shipping.
Superintendent Viens further discussed the pumps for the Church Street pump station and the Cates Hill pump station. The two pumps for Cates Hill would cost $1,649 each plus soft starts of $500 each. The size of the Gould pumps would be compatible with those used at the other pump stations. Berlin Water Works staff would install the pumps at the pump station. It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to authorize the Superintendent to purchase two pumps and soft starts for Cates Hill Pump Station for an amount not to exceed $5,000.
Continuing on the same agenda item of pumps for Church Street and Cates Hill, the Superintendent proposed purchasing a new Gould pump priced at $5,730. The Board discussed the issue of the new pump for Church Street and asked that the Superintendent review the options and present to the Board at next month’s meeting.
It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor, to approve the verbal decision to pay the outstanding property taxes on the M & M garage in the amount of $7,031.22 to be deducted from the May 2007 payment to Mr. Morrissette.
Under new communications, Superintendent Viens stated that he is working on a grant application from the State of NH DES for water system security installation grant program. The maximum amount of the grant is $4,500. The purpose of the application is for security fencing at the Ammonoosuc Water Storage Tank. The money has already been appropriated in an EPA grant but this grant money would be applied to the cost first. It was moved by Commissioner Delisle, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to authorize the Superintendent to apply for the $4,500 grant through NH DES for security fencing. Any moneys saved on the approved EPA Grant can be used for water main replacements.
Superintendent Viens informed the Board that the water usage for November will be lower than it was for October.
The EPA application for the FY 2006 has been submitted. The grant money is usually available the following March or April.
There was no other new business or communications at this time.
The Board agreed to hold their next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 @ 6:30 PM at their 55 Willow Street Conference Room.
Under Public Comments, Jean Leblanc had a few questions regarding the Loranger issue. The Board clarified the information for Mr. Leblanc.
Under Board Comments, the subject of the assessment schedule was discussed. It was decided that the Superintendent should evaluate the assessment charges and prepare a report to be presented at next month’s meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, it was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor, to adjourn this meeting.
The meeting did so adjourn at 8:04 PM
A True Record ATTEST:________--___-----______________
Robert Delisle, Clerk of the Board
| 
