August 19, 2008
A regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was called to order at 12:00 PM by Chairperson Richard Fournier. Commissioners present were Lucien Langlois, Paul Poulin, Robert Delisle and ex-officio member Mayor Bertrand. Also present for this meeting were Superintendent Roland L. Viens & Lynne C. Lessard.
There was no Public or Board Comments at this time.
It was moved by Commissioner Delisle, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to accept and place on file, the Minutes for July 15th, 2008 and August 12th, 2008.
Under the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated August 15th, 2008; Superintendent Viens reviewed the following with the Board:
1. Ammonoosuc Storage Tank - Security Fencing: Northern Paving & Construction is working on the project and modifications to the original specs will result in savings.
2. Meeting with City re: Issues between PWD & BWW: Superintendent Viens and Craig Carrigan met with Mike Perreault & City Manager MacQueen. The group discussed the differences of new construction and maintenance.
3. Superintendent Viens said that Key-Span has a simple designed trailer that they use to move long and short pipe. If sewer project progresses for the Federal Bureau of Prison, a trailer of this type would be valuable to have.
4. For the record we have just processed our first invoice to Public Works Department for their first sewer customer in the amount of $192.92. BWW will have a meter reading and processing fee.
5. Flow tests for St. Vincent's Nursing Home were done to accommodate their plans to install sprinklers.
6. EPA Grant FY2003 (#05) is nearly spent down with a remaining balance of $19k at the end of July 2008.
7. Pike Industries has announced another rate increase of $11.00 for asphalt mix brining the total to $77/ton effective August 18th, 2008.
8. BWW supported PWD on their drain project on Riverside Drive (August, 2008). It was agreed by the Board not to submit a bill but rather utilize their services for maintenance in exchange of services.
It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated August 15th, 2008.
It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor, to accept and place on file, the Cashier's Report for period ending July, 2008. Superintendent Viens also briefly reviewed the Expenditures Report for period ending June 30, 2008.
Under Old Business:
a. Godfrey Transmission Line Repair - Review meeting with Scott Dillon: Superintendent Viens, Chair Fournier and Mayor Bertrand met with Scott Dillon and his staff to review the logging incident at Godfrey and our invoice for repairs in the amount of $3,569.00. This was a very low bill for the potential that could have taken place. The bill to review BWW legal rights regarding the Ammonoosuc Transmission Line from Russell & Desjardins, PLLC was $2,475.00. BWW will pay Desjardin's cost and the Board agreed to have Dillon to pay half of our invoice. Superintendent Viens will draft a letter to Dillon stating that any future damage to the lines will be at 100% cost. Also better communication is needed between his staff, when marking water
lines, to contact BWW as we need to be involved and that Dillon needs to contact BWW of any activity in that area.
b. Federal Bureau of Prisons - Water Service Metering & Final Testing & Proposed Sewer Project: BWW is targeting next week to supply water to Bell-Heery. We have a path forward on testing with FBOP and we will then apply for the final payment. FBOP will pay for the backflow preventor(s). BWW is purchasing the meter and also FBOP will be billed on the first water bill with the cost difference between 6" and 5/8" meters. Regarding the City Sewer portion Project Superintendent Viens and Craig Carrigan are working on an estimate. This estimate is due August 22nd, 2008.
c. Brown Farm Well Head Protection & Wood Pellet Project Status: Superintendent Viens received two pieces of information from Dave Mcclean of GeoInsight, Inc. about a water source grant application which would fund his activity. The application must be submitted by November 3rd, 2008.
d. LT2ESWTR & Stage 2 DBP - Status: First Sampling in September: This is the first time that we have done these tests. Flows are at an all time low. Chair Fournier asked if sluicing the dam would help bring cleaner water to the plant.
e. Milton Cat - Cat 420E - Status: No update.
f. Wind Farm Access - EZ Wind - Jerry O'Leary - Update Security: Loranger was suppose to put up a gate but is still wide open. BWW will block the access road to stop the flow of traffic.
g. Ammonoosuc Storage Tank - Security Fencing Status: The topic was already discussed during the Superintendent's Report.
h. New Tie-In for Riverside Manufactured Home Park on Riverside Drive Status: BWW's staff has designed & estimated the cost of the tie-ins on Riverside Drive and Cates Hill Road. No further update was available.
i. Other: There was no other business at this time.
Under New Business:
a. It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to approve the Principal& Interest due for the 1993, 1994 & 1995 Water Bond August payment in the amount of $730,397.50.
b. It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor to approve payment for the State Revolving Loan #06 in the amount of $129,416.80 due September 1st, 2008.
c. Fraser Account #150102 billing: It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by ex-officio member Bertrand, with all in favor, to waive this bill in the amount of $27.05 for our customer charge as they are located on the Gorham line. If however, we do provide service, then a full billing would be mailed. Superintendent Viens will write a letter of the Board's decision.
d. BWW Building Upgrade Plan: Lucien Langlois, from Hill Street Construction, has provided the specs to the Superintendent along with an estimate for upgrades to our M&M Building, our garage at 51 Willow Street, and Church St. Pump Station. City Manager MacQueen sent pictures of Church St. Pump Station. Superintendent Viens stated that the pump station is on our list of upgrades, but at this time it is not feasible to spend the funds for the cosmetic work. The most urgent problem is the leaky roof on the garages at 51 Willow Street. Superintendent Viens was authorized to go out for competitive bids to replace the roof on 51 Willow & perform repairs in the fall.
e. Review Provan & Lorber Proposal to Review USDA Rural Development Grant work and Reimbursement Requests: The Contract is for not to exceed 40 hours or $5k. There is an insurance issue to meet the City's goal. Superintendent Viens will contact our Primex Insurance Company. They are not going to do any design and will be funded thru RUS. It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor, to accept the Provan & Lorber proposal.
f. Review Summer Help Status: Tyler Carrigan has been with us all summer. He is an excellent/dependable worker, and as a first year summer student Tyler was paid the lowest base rate (75% of base rate - $1.50/hr). If Summer Help gets invited back a second year they receive a pay increase. Superintendent Viens told the Board that Tyler's college schedule would make him available for work on Thursday's & Friday's this fall. The Board agreed with Superintendent Viens to allow Tyler to work this fall as a "second season employee" and pay him the increased rate of pay.
g. Androscoggin Treatment Plant Proposal: Officer Keith Enman is working with the CASA Group (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) and is possibly looking for office space. Superintendent Viens to provide more information at a later date.
h. Other and Communications: Wight Street is done except for final paving. We received the final adjustment payment from Brookfield Power and the Komatsu's Ripper Tooth has been delivered and has been used on Willard Street.
It was agreed by the Board to hold their next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday September 17th, 2008 @ at 6:30pm at their 55 Willow Street Conference Room.
There were no Public or Board comments at this time.
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 Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor, to adjourn this meeting.
The meeting did so adjourn at 1: 05pm.
A True Record: ATTEST: ____________________________
Paul W. Poulin, Clerk of the Board
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