Water Development Task Force
Regular Meeting
Friday, May 14, 2010
7:00 a.m.
WPCA Plant, Conference Room
MINUTES
1. Call to Order: Mr. Tuttle called this regular meeting to order at 7:04 a.m. Present were John Tuttle, Ted Hintz, Peter Aarrestad. Absent: Melissa Engel, John Hanson, Judy Isele, Mark Barmasse. Also present were Jeffery O’Keefe, and Paul Malmrose from Tighe and Bond.
2. Approval of Minutes – January 22, 2010
The minutes of the January 22, 2010 and March 26, 2010 meetings were approved as written.
3. Discussion of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program Rankings for 2010.
Town Manager O’Keefe highlighted the rankings from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. He handed out the book detailing the entire application submitted. East Hampton was ranked #1 for 3.4 million (not the 5.8 million applied for), $700,000 is a principal forgiveness (grant). The loan would be at approximately 2%. Next week Paul, Jeff and Vin will talk with Town Manager to discuss.
Mr. Malmrose discussed the ranking, scoring 145 points – the next municipality scored 90. There are 42 systems out there willing to join this system. The difference between the 3.4 million and 5.8 million requested was not denied, but will be applied for and funded later. They would be willing to fund the approved portion of the already appropriated the 9.8 for the STAG grant. The Town would start to pay this money back after the construction is completed and completion of the engineer’s contract. The Town would have to start paying for the pilot study and the program manager one year after those things were done.
Mr. Tuttle stated that the public needs to be educated prior to the Town Meeting.
Approve Town entering a loan agreement with State for approximately 2.6 million to complete all design work for municipal water system.
Discussion ensued regarding strategy for presenting project to the voters. The first piece would be the engineering to determine the construction costs for the project; the foundation. Then the three major components to the construction would need approval. It was stressed that the voters must understand the costs and time frames when they decide. The area serviced will need to be delineated, and the plant would have to fit the appearance of the area.
4. Proposed Calendar to Keep the Program Moving Forward
Mr. Malmrose handed out a calendar. Staff is working on hiring a Program Manager. A financial plan will be developed (either in-house or by a consulting financial planner). Funds are approved for cleaning up site and work must begin. Water Supply Plant must be done by middle of September. Total cost in 2007 was roughly 51 million, and hasn’t really changed.
5. Update on the Invitation to Bid the Water Supply Plan
Town Manager O’Keefe will have the RFP out within the next week. When the costs come back, he will take it to Council.
The reasons we were ranked #1 should be publicized, for residents to understand the necessity of this project. The public needs to know that this is a pubic health and safety issue. Public support would have to be built and demonstrated to Congress, but the Town’s ability to pay is not there.
6. Update from Consultant on Contract Progress
Mr. Malmrose stated that Tighe and Bond is looking at four different funding sources, also is there a better way of delivering project, options for design and building. The Town could also operate (one contractor being responsible for design, build, and operate, Town or contract operate; sell the entire system to a water company; own and operated by the Town; tax people (all or some). These are items the consultant is considering and will present to the Town in a matrix format. Will responsibilities be transferred to the Authority?
The large issues are the update of the Water Supply Plan and the support of political representatives.
Discussion ensued regarding (above).
Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 a.m.
Transcribed by
Jennifer Carducci
5-21-10
All handouts are made part of these minutes and are available at WPCA.
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