October 15, 2008
A regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was called to order at 12:00 noon by Chairperson Richard Fournier. Commissioners present were Paul Poulin, Lucien Langlois, Robert Delisle and ex-officio member Mayor David Bertrand. Also present for this meeting were Superintendent Roland Viens, Craig Carrigan & Steven Lefebvre, Foremen for BWW and Lynne C. Lessard.
There were no Public or Board comments at this time.
It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to accept and place on file, the Minutes of September 17th, 2008. Mayor Bertrand noted the date of those Minutes was dated September 18th, 2008.
Under the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated October 10th, 2008; Superintendent Viens reviewed the following with the Board:
1. Superintendent Viens told the Board that the deadline for applying for a State Revolving Loan was July 1st, 2008. Applications are reviewed in the Fall. BWW should be in good shape next year to apply.
2. Superintendent Viens showed the Board the "Forecast" of our "Distribution System Efficiency" graph. The net effect is that we are currently at nearly 98% accounted for water. This is due to metering and upgrading our distribution system. Results are from BWW crews working on leaks in the right streets.
3. Henry Noel, Wastewater Operator, met with Superintendent Viens this morning. Superintendent Viens gave the Board a copy of the daily waste water flow into their system. The September flows are a new record low. Mr. Noel reports to Michael Perreault, Public Works Director.
4. The final delivery of the concrete blocks from Michie Corporation was delivered today. We have enough blocks for walls at 46 Willow Street (M&M Building), 51 Willow Street and Church Street pump station.
5. BWW is waiting on an invoice for pavement from the City of Berlin for paving Western Avenue.
6. We are close to winding down our planned activities on water main replacement. Willard and Jolbert Streets have been completed and paved. Madigan Street is ready to pave. Good progress is being made on Hinchey Street and we are planning to install water mains on River Street. Hopefully by next week, we will be done except for paving. Superintendent Veins will also look into CDBG funding.
7. Superintendent Viens reported to the Board that Electrical Installations Incorporated (EII) is the process of upgrading the SCADA system to monitor and display chlorine residual reading from Route 110 PRV, the storage tank sites, and improved Ammonoosuc Treatment Plant Process PLC by re-powering it with back-up power. Craig & Steve joined in the conversation during the discussion with the Superintendent and Board.
It was moved by Commissioner Delisle, seconded by Commissioner Langlois, with all in favor, to accept the Berlin Water Works Monthly Status Report dated October 10th, 2008.
After a brief discussion regarding payments not yet submitted, for the DOT/Green Street project and the City of Berlin/Western Avenue, and the Berlin Water Works "Available Cash" report, it was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Mr. Delisle, with all in favor, to accept and place on file, the Cashier's Report for period ending September, 2008.
Under Old Business:
a. Godfrey Dam & Transmission Line - Status: In the Board packet was a report from the Staff regarding the draining of the pond and subsequent raw water quality. In addition to that, the Godfrey to Ammonoosuc Plant Transmission line brush was cut by Kim Lambert from the plant to Godfrey Dam. Superintendent Viens reported to the Board that he personally has a permit to cut wood for anywhere in the White Mountain Nation Forest and was cleaning up the debris on his own time when approached by a Forest Ranger informing him that that section was not permissible.
b. Federal Bureau of Prisons - Water Service Metering ($12, 306.34) & Proposed Sewer Project Status: The fourth and final payment was received in the amount of $208,800.00 October 7th. To date we have spent over $1million. Amendment #01 to the original contact was submitted September 12th, 2008 in the amount of $12,306.34 for BWW's to provide and install a 10" Sensus Rockwell Model W-55500DR Bronze Magnetic Drive Flanged Turbo-Meter with 10" Strainer. Also the Superintendent stated that he is still working on easements and that there is no further information on the Proposed Sewer Projects.
c. NDS System Upgrade & Water Rates - Status: Debbie has been worked on developing spreadsheets and has been comparing data to Gorham's rates and we should have something to report next month.
d. Brown Farm Well Head Protection Geo Insight Proposal Matching Funds/Grant Status: Superintendent Viens has been in contact with City Planner Pamela Laflamme. DES offers matching source water grants for definition and protection of wellheads. We have a November 1st deadline and Ms. Laflamme has three (3) pieces for funding. $2k from their Berlin Master Plan Funding, $9k from BIDPA and $9k from BWW. The $19,977.50 is to perform a study that will re-delineate the aquifer and wellhead protection area of the Brown Farm Well in the area of the Maynesboro Industial Park. It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner, with all in favor, to approve $9k for the project.
e. LT2ESWTR & Stage 2 DBP & Lead and Copper Status: First Sampling in September: On the lead and copper, we passed all the copper samples (30 of 30). On lead, we also passed 27, with 3 failures. Also the total average for both lead & copper are new low records for BWW. This tells us that what we are doing with water treatment is working. By getting rid of old galvanized piping, results are continuing to improve. As far as Stage 1 requirements, Stage 1 as we were on reduced testing due to lower numbers. We now go back to quarterly testing. Stage 2, cryptosporidium, in order to maintain that status, we had to maintain raw water e-coli below 10 CTS/100 ml. We are waiting for another one because we cleaned the pond. This may be
an issue that we would have to talk to the FEDS to reduce Moose & other wildlife activity. The HAA5 & TTHM's, we are collecting data and looking at different ways to improving the system.
f. Ammonoosuc Storage Tank - Security Fencing Status: The fencing project is complete. We submitted a request for payment in the amount of $4,500.00 to Johnna Mckenna of NHDES. The remainder was processed thru our EPA Grant #XP97-124301. The total project cost from Northern Paving & Construction was $22,900.00.
g. New Tie-In for Riverside Manufactured Home Park on Riverside Drive Status: The low pressure tie-in was done this morning and BWW will be submitting an invoice. The high pressure proposal for Cates Hill Road will possibly be done next year.
h. BWW Building Upgrade Plan - Status: The roof was finished and the painting contractor pressure washed off the old paint and will apply a new coat this week. All concrete blocks were received. BWW looked again at the Church Street Pump,as we have had complaints. Hill Street Construction has provided the Superintendent a quote to clean up the building; paint, stucco & fix the doors and to "dress it up", a few of the concrete blocks will be used. It was moved by Commissioner Delisle, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept the proposal from Hill Street Construction. Please note that Commissioner Langlois had recused himself for this vote.
i. Approve Final Payment for NHDOT Green Street Project - $129,666.68. It was moved by Commissioner Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to approve the NHDOT payment in the amount of $129,666.68 with the condition of payment subject to BWW receiving the "as builts" from this project. Superintendent Viens will write a letter stating the Board's position. Also Superintendent Viens had told the Board that this figure should be the amount due but is subject to the NHDOT audit, which could take several months.
j. BWW & PWD Interdepartmental Services Report - September 30, 2008: This report is a continuation from last month. Superintendent Viens stated that copies had been issued to the City Manager, Mayor & Public Works Director. He has not received any feed back. The Board wishes this report to continue.
k. Other: There was no other business at this time.
Under New Business:
a. Approve State Revolving Loan -02 Loan Payment November 1st, 2008 in the amount of $125,915.64: It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor, to make payment on SRL #0231010-02.
b. Review Draft Contract with City of Berlin for final paving of Viking & Norway Streets: Superintendent Viens has not received any feedback from the City. No action was taken by the Board.
c. Meter installation on High Street: On September 25th, 2008, BWW installed a water meter on a vacant lot at 142 High Street. The building was recently demolished now owned by Diane Davy. Mrs. Davy will be billed for the time and materials to install the meter on the empty lot. It was agreed by the Board, to bill for off and on charges and for water usage as well as fire protection and the customer charge. No assessment charges will be billed as this is considered to be an adjoining property. The office will also make note on her account as to how we arrived for billing. This property will be treated as the Tupick property on Bridge Street that was brought before the Board back in December, 2005.
d. Christmas Party Plans: The Board agreed to have a Christmas party for its employees in December and to have Debbie make the arrangements.
e. Other and Communications: Superintendent Viens revisited the FBOP/Sewer Project. Mayor Bertrand responded and said that the City Council is waiting to hear from FBOP.
It was agreed by the Board to hold their next regularly schedule meeting on Thursday, November 20th at 12:00pm.
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 Langlois, seconded by Commissioner Delisle, with all in favor, to adjourn this meeting.
The meeting did so adjourn at 1:15pm.
A True Record: ATTEST:_________________________
Paul W. Poulin, Clerk of the Board
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