Town of East Hampton
Town Council and
Water Development Task Force
Special Meeting
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Eaton E. Smith Meeting Room – Town Hall
Minutes
Present: Chairperson Melissa Engel, Vice Chairman Thomas Cordeiro and members, William Devine, Christopher Goff, John Tuttle and Susan Weintraub. Also present were Water Development Task Force members Peter Aarrestad, John Hanson, Mark Barmasse, Ted Hintz and Public Utilities Administrator Vincent Susco; Town Manager Jeffery O’Keefe, Finance Director Jeffery Jylkka, Recording Secretary Cathy Sirois, members of the press and citizens.
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance: Chairperson Engel called the special meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. All stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introduction of Guests:
Ms. Engel introduced the members of the Water Development Task Force, Peter Aarrestad, Mark Barmasse, John Hanson, Ted Hintz and Vincent Susco. She also noted that she and John Tuttle are members and Mr. O’Keefe is an ex-officio member.
Discussion of Possible Land Acquisition:
Ms. Engel provided an overview of the work that has been done by the Water Development Task Force to secure water rights for a future centralized water system. The properties involved are a piece of property at St. Clements as a water source and the Greer property located behind Cobalt Market for use as a water treatment plant. Mr. Susco reviewed a timeline for the Oakum Dock well site property and the water treatment plant site. A copy of the document will be included with the minutes filed with the Town Clerk. Ms. Engel noted that each site that was originally looked at was looked at again. Mr. Tuttle and Mr. O’Keefe worked with Father Doherty of St. Clements to get to the agreement currently on the table.
Ms. Engel noted that when the original water system referendum failed, residents indicated that they were concerned about appropriating money for a water system when there was no water source secured. She noted securing the water source is the correct first step in moving forward in addressing the community water needs. The Department of Public Health supports the efforts of the town for a centralized water system.
Mr. Tuttle reviewed the options that were considered in securing the water source property. The worksheets will be included with the minutes filed with the Town Clerk. The best option available is a public water supply permanent easement. The easement will provide access to the land to construct well heads, to maintain service to the well heads, access to the water and the easement is transferable if the property is sold. The property owner will work within the restrictions placed on the property.
Ted Hintz, Chairman of the Board of Finance, reported that over the last four years money has been put aside for water development and the town has maintained the fund balance. The Board of Finance will meet to recommend to council to appropriate the funds for the Greer property and the permanent easement at St. Clements. Ms. Engel noted that in speaking with Mr. Jylkka, the town will save $25,000 in interest by self funding rather than bonding. Also, at a future date the WPCA will be required to pay the money back to the general fund.
Ms. Engel thanked the Water Development Task Force for their efforts over the last year and a half.
Ms. Weintraub asked if there are any outstanding consent orders. Mr. Susco noted there are no outstanding consent orders for water at this time. He will confirm this information. Ms. Weintraub noted that concerns expressed to her about the prior water referendum were that taxpayers were concerned about excessive cost to taxpayers, higher taxes in general and also unchecked development. She would like to see a master plan for the water system going forward and public hearings to educate the public on the plan. She also asked what the entire water system would cost and the possible impact increased development would have on taxes, town services, traffic.
Public Remarks:
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked about $5 million in stimulus funding mentioned by Mr. O’Keefe. Mr. O’Keefe noted this is a Department of Public Health Revolving Loan Program, not a grant.
Hunt Voelker, Chestnut Hill Road, asked why the water treatment plant cannot be located near the sewer plant, can the staff for both plants be shared and how many wells will there be? Mr. Susco noted that the cost to have the water treatment plant near the sewer plant would exceed the price for the plant being located on the Greer property. The Health Department will not allow the general staff to be shared between water and sewer and the qualifications and training are separate. The management staff can be shared. There will be two wells and two reserve locations.
Kyle Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked if the sewer use fees will be used to pay any of the expenses for the water system. Mr. Susco noted there is no mix between sewer and water fees. Mr. Dostaler asked about the second phase for infrastructure development. Mr. O’Keefe noted there is no final determination of the next steps. Mr. Dostaler feels that everything should be done in a single referendum.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, asked how many residents will be served by the system and asked about the restrictions on the easement property. Mr. Susco noted it would serve approximately 7500 people, which would be a little over a thousand properties. The restrictions on the easement property will be very strict.
Hunt Voelker, Chestnut Hill Road, asked about the water pressure. Mr. Susco reported it will be a minimum of 25 psi and nothing higher than 110 psi.
Mary Ann Dostaler, 56 William Drive, asked about the funding secured for the construction documents, where is it coming from and what is the cost? Mr. O’Keefe noted we don’t have the full cost but there is funding available in the STAG grant. There will be a match on the part of the town. She wanted to clarify that the $5 million low interest loan will be paid for by the taxpayers unless grants are secured. Ms. Engel noted that we have the funds to pay for the easement and the Greer property in the fund balance; it is not an increase in taxes and noted the next phases will be done in an affordable manner. Mr. Tuttle noted that the dollars taken from fund balance will be repaid in time by the users of the water system.
Scott Sanicki, 102 Quiet Woods Road, asked about the radius to protect the wells and asked about any issues for neighboring wells. Mr. Susco reported that the easement encompasses the two main wells and the area for the reserve wells. There was a five day pump test with the Department of Health and DEP to determine the safe yield.
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Devine, seconded by Mr. Tuttle, to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Voted (6-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Sirois
Recording Secretary
| 
