TOWN OF CHARLESTOWN
SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING
JULY 26, 2005
Selectboard Present: Brenda Ferland, Jon LeClair, Steven Neill
Staff Present: David Edkins, Administrative Assistant
David Duquette, Water and Sewer Superintendent
Gary Stoddard, Fire Chief
CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Brenda Ferland called the meeting to order at 3:35 P.M.
WATER DEPARTMENT / FIRE DEPARTMENT: Dave Duquette distributed hand-outs and advised that he wants to achieve understanding and better communication between the Water and Fire Departments to make it a good workable system. He read his opening statement as follows:
“On Thursday, July 21, 2005, at approximately 7:00 pm the Fire Department held a training exercise in the Clay Brook Well Head Protection area.
This is my synopsis of what happened because no one in the water department was made aware of the activities.
The Fire Department utilized a surface water fire hydrant without checking the intake condition or stream condition or volume, subsequently the water carried a massive amount of mud through the hydrant and its working components. In noticing the excessive mud they continued the flow at a high rate. Flooding the area including the well control building. Once noticing the flooding was out of control they cut a ditch across the property line into Bob Frizzell’s field flooding it for about 150 yards.
At or about the same time they were pulling water directly out of Clay Brook about 45 yards from the well, then pumping it back into the stream with a pretty good force. Their trucks were parked directly under our telemetry lines to the control buildings and Bull Run Well.
All this activity in the stream at a low flow time of year is detrimental to the aquifer and the pump itself. At the time of the activity we were trying to produce a Safe Drinking Water supply for the population. Clay Brook was at 400 gpm and Bull Run was producing 210 gpm.”[sic]
Chief Stoddard responded that the Fire Department has been doing their training at that location for 21+ years. It was his understanding that there was an agreement. He was not present for the first 15 minutes or so of the training drill that night and was not aware of everything until the next day. Cliff Stark said they were exercising the hydrant but used the 6” also. They use that hydrant once or twice a year to make sure it has adequate water supply for them. Over the years he understood that this is an optional place for them to get water and they usually train on that hydrant. Teaching how to use the soft suction hose takes time and a lot of room.
There was discussion relative to the Town employee involved not having permission to use the Town’s backhoe that night. It was parked there for a job but was left there because it needed repairs.
Dave Duquette displayed some pictures that were taken of the damaged area including the gouged-out area. He provided some history on the water system and its operation, including dams and aging “1800” pipes. The EPA controls our permits and regulations; it is a sensitive area. This is a Class A stream. The well is protected under the Well Head Protection area. Chemicals are automatically dispensed based on the flows. That hydrant was installed in the early 1900s. Dehumidifiers are kept running all the time in the control buildings. Bob Frizzell got nervous the next morning when his tractor started to sink as he thought it was a water main break. The truck was moved in too close to the telemetry lines as metal interferes with the lines.
Dave Duquette noted that this is a case of lack of knowledge and communication. He urged the Fire Department to go for a walk with him and to learn how the system works. Chief Stoddard explained that a lot of this was never explained to him or other members of the Fire Department. Why wasn’t it mentioned to him sooner? The Fire Department tries to do the best they can and this is a safe area for them to train. If the Fire Department has an emergency situation they should contact Dave Duquette or the Water Department as soon as possible so they can shut down Clay Brook and check the chemicals. After the fact, he will file an Emergency Permit with the Wetlands Bureau if necessary; that would be acceptable. On occasion Dave Duquette would like to leave a message for Chief
Stoddard, it was agreed that messages could be left on his cell phone. It was suggested that Chief Stoddard invite Dave Duquette to one of the Fire Department’s meetings to educate them on the water system. When there is a fire, Chief Stoddard notifies the Police Department and they will be asked to notify the Water Department.
Jon LeClair asked if there is an area that the Fire Department can use for a drill. There was discussion relative to using the Connecticut River. Chief Stoddard cannot put a truck of that magnitude on the edge of that river. Jon LeClair questioned why the Town cannot stabilize a section of the bank so they can get to the river. Chief Stoddard said they even tried Patch Park once but they cannot take the risk. This is why they have used Clay Brook because the ground is stable and they need a place to train. They have used the river on the Springfield, Vt. side as that is a good area. He can check with Springfield but the townspeople will have to realize they are out of town for a reason. Steve Neill felt that Chief Stoddard should explore finding an area on the river in
Charlestown that can be stabilized for their use as the Selectboard would be receptive to this; maybe a 50’x40’ pad in Patch Park. They would have to be careful not to disturb the mussel area or plant life. Dave Duquette said they could put in a dry hydrant in Patch Park. Dave Duquette and Chief Stoddard were asked to work together and come up with something that is workable, an approximate cost and report to the Selectboard.
Pages 2 and 3 of the handout were reviewed – “A Protected Clean, Safe, Bountiful Drinking Water Supply needs: Communication, Understanding, Cooperation and Respect”. Page 3 listed a few of the many reasons the Water Department should know what is happening.
Chief Stoddard advised that the Fire Department received two bills as a result of the installation of two meters at the fire station – one is for domestic use and the other is for the bay use. Steve Neill noted that there should be no sewer charge on the bay use meter; Dave Duquette will so advise Pat Royce. Dave Duquette said the hoses are being used to wash private vehicles of the Fire Department members as well as for charity car washes, etc. He wanted the meters and bills for accountability. Jon LeClair recommended that the bill that fills the trucks be abated. Steve Neill asked for a count on what volume of water goes to charity.
Dave Duquette and Gary Stoddard left the meeting at 4:35 pm.
NON-PUBLIC SESSION:
Brenda Ferland moved to enter into a Non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3 II (a) Personnel. Jon LeClair seconded the motion and, on a roll call with all in favor, the motion carried. The time was 4:38 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary Approved,
Brenda L. Ferland, Chair
Jon B. LeClair
Steven A. Neill
(Note: These are unapproved Minutes. Corrections, if necessary, may be found in the Minutes of the August 3rd, 2005, Selectboard meeting.)
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