Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
Minutes 09/15/2010
September 15, 2010

A regular meeting of the Board of Water Commissioners was called to order by Acting Chairperson Terry Block at 12:00 noon.~ Commissioners present were Paul Poulin, and Stephen Tardiff.~ Absent from this meeting was Commissioner Lucien Langlois and ex-officio Member Paul Grenier.~ Also present for this meeting was Superintendent Viens and Debbie Baillargeon.

There were no Public or Board comments at this time.

It was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Tardiff, with all in favor, to accept the Minutes of August 18, 2010.

Under the Berlin Water Works monthly Status Report Dated September 9, 2010, Superintendent Viens reviewed the following with the Board:

  • Superintendent Viens informed the Board that Berlin Water Works projects have made the priority list for State Revolving Loan Funds.  The Energy project in the amount of $1,000,000 is in first place and the Water Main Project in the amount of $3,000,000 is in fifth place (funding thru 8th).
  • For the Record Superintendent Viens showed the Board the houses that are going to demolished by the City of Berlin.
  • In reference to the request from White Mountain Ridge Runners last month, Superintendent Viens stated that most of the trees have been cleared and Berlin Water Works is clearing out their materials.
  • The Board was given information regarding cost of Electricity; in review of the document usage has been about the same for the last few years.
  • An insurance claim from the Western Avenue project which was on going has been settled by the insurance this month.
  • Fuel Costs for FY 2010 total gallons of gas 4,700 for approximately $10,000 and total gallons of diesel 12,000 for approximately $28,600.
  • Propane costs have stayed in line but should be improved with the new energy project. Acting Chairperson Block asked which buildings are heated with propane, Superintendent Viens stated that the garages, pump stations and the Ammonoosuc Treatment Plant are all propane the only two accounts with heating fuel are the office building and the Androscoggin Treatment Plant.
  • The staff has been working on tracking equipment costs as requested by the Board for the used equipment purchased.  The Martin truck costs 7,000 and approximately 3,000 to repair it is running great.
  • Flushing of Hydrants is being pushed back a couple of weeks while the work at Godfrey Dam is being completed.
It was moved the Commissioner Tardiff, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to accept the Monthly Status Report dated September 9, 2010.
After a brief discussion, it was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Tardiff, with all in favor to accept and place on file, the Cashier’s Report for the month of August, 2010.

Under Old Business:

a. Stimulus Funding Project Status:

  • NHSRL – Paving on-going Status: - As planned by BWW the three streets around the school on High, State and Willard were paved before School opening.  BWW finished the last two services on the next section of High Street this week.  Another note on NHSRL the total amount was $3,000,000 and we have approximately $1,000,000 left so we are near our goal of expending the full amount by the end of the 2011 construction season.
  • Working on Noury & Champlain Streets:~ Noury Street was started last week and the second crew was moved to Champlain Street which is a high ledge street.  The third crew was scheduled for Riverside Drive however, Public Works is repairing a drain line between Hillside and Emery and before they pave the trench we asked them to give us a couple of weeks to install the water line in the same block to prevent having to reopen the trench next year.  
2. USDA - Water Mains-State Street/Status & Northern Forest Heritage Park Status: As mentioned above State Street was completed and paved before school started.  Northern Forest Heritage Park may still get done this year but we are starting to demobilize slowly due to a loss of manpower, college students are back to school, three more temporary employees may be leaving for other jobs.  We presently have three crews but may be down to two in two weeks.

3USDA – Godfrey Dam Status – Contract signed with AR. Couture:  AR Couture Construction Inc. started to mobilize on Friday and continues this week.  The Bridge is on site and has had some problems but nothing that cannot be worked out.~

4.Support Equipment & Manning – Hired 2 New Temps – Paving Prep Crew Status:~ This item was previously discussed under Item a. 1.

b.     Skid Steer/Grinder Status:  BWW has the skid steer when we received the skid steer it had some problems with leaks it was sent back and repaired.  We have committed to the purchase of the skid steer/grinder, when we are finished with the construction season it will be sent back out for painting.  Mechanically it is working well.  The Staff has suggested using the grinder for trench cuts on future work sites.
c.      EPA Grant Application – Provan & Lorber Engineering Contract Award - $34,895.00:  A letter suggesting Provan & Lorber Inc. has been sent to Richard Skarinka, NHDES for the record following a conversation by phone with him.  It was moved by Commissioner Tardiff, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to authorize the Superintendent to sign the contract with Provan & Lorber, Inc. for BWW 10-1 project.
d.     City – FBOP Sewer Project Contract – BWW City Invoice:~ Superintendent Viens informed the Board that on September 10, 2010 the installation of the SCADA system was started.  During the week the Superintendent met the City Manager at City Hall when he was there for the monthly safety meeting.  City Manager Pat McQueen asked why it took so long for BWW to pay the engineering costs for the Twelfth Street Bridge Project, Superintendent Viens told him that the Board requested a detailed invoice for the Engineering fee and did not receive it until the August Board meeting at which time the Board approved payment of the invoice.  The Board did not want to pay the mobilization and demobilization fee $31,390 until the work was completed.  It was moved by Commissioner Tardiff, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to authorize payment of the mobilization and demobilization fee to the City of Berlin for the Twelfth Street Bridge Project in the amount of $31,390 due to the cancellation of the Berlin Water Works installation of a water line in same project.
e.    Board to approve FY Expenditures (7/1/09 thru 6/30/10) as reviewed last month:  After a brief discussion it was moved by Commissioner Poulin, seconded by Commissioner Tardiff, with all in favor to approve the FY 2010 Expenditures.
f.      Under other old business:  Superintendent Viens discussed the letter received from Geo Insight that measures the water quality at the sewer lift station site as a baseline for future testing at the site.  
        
There was no other old business.

Under New Business:
  • Laidlaw Water Connection Application:  Superintendent Viens informed the Board that he had spoken to Carl Belanger who requested a water service application and asked if they would be able to negotiate water rates with the Board.  The Board agreed to meet with Laidlaw to discuss options regarding water rates for high usage.  Superintendent Viens will contact Laidlaw and set up a meeting date convenient for all.
  • Purchased Mack Water Truck $6,120 and Ford L9000 Dump Truck $9,500:  It was moved by Commissioner Tardiff, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor to approve purchase of the Mack Water Truck in the amount of $6,120 and the Ford L9000 Dump Truck in the amount of $9,500.
  • NHSRL Fund Project Prioritizations list:  this item was previously discussed under the monthly status report.
  • Salaried Position – Unfilled:  Superintendent Viens stated that as of today the position has not been posted.  The candidate chosen will train through the winter season to provide support to the present Supervisors next construction season.  Superintendent Viens stated that the position will also support Treatment Plant Staff which is currently limited to one employee.  Supervisors have discussed a possible candidate for the position the Board will discuss this item further at the next Board meeting.  
  • Tentative meeting with HE Bergeron – Re:  BWW office renovation project September 22, 2010 at 12:00 noon:  Superintendent Viens signed the contract with HE Bergeron and mailed back their copy today.  The Board agreed to the meeting on September 22, 2010 at 12:00 noon.
  • Other & Communications:~ Staff has discussed opening talks about the gravel pit in Jericho State Park as we are going to have to start hauling sand our surplus is almost depleted.  
Superintendent Viens briefly discussed negotiations for his six month review based on Insurance costs with the Board; they will further discuss in October.  

The Board agreed to hold their next regularly scheduled meeting at 12:00 noon on October 12, 2010 at our 55 Willow Street Conference Room.

There were no Public Comments at this time.

Under Board Comments Acting Chairperson Block asked the Superintendent about the Northern Forest Heritage Park.  Superintendent Viens stated that once the crew begins the water line project at Peavey Lane there will be discussion as to the cooperation between Berlin Water Works and Northern Forest Heritage Park regarding the planned River Walk Project.

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 Tardiff, seconded by Commissioner Poulin, with all in favor, to adjourn this meeting.

The meeting did so adjourn at 1:00 pm.
A True Record, Attest:~ Paul Poulin, Clerk of the Board.