Members Present: Chairman Jack D. Gustafson, Vice Chairman Douglas R. North, Clerk Marshall L. Harris
Superintendent: Craig W. Jalbert
Secretary: Dale Johnson
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
Accept the Minutes: A motion was made by Doug and seconded by Marty to accept the March 9, 2005 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Bunyan Road Well Improvements ~ Update:
Contract documents have been signed by the GC and Selectman Jim Manning; they now must be forwarded to Town Council Ken Albano for approval and then go to the USDA for final approval.
Craig attended a meeting at Tata & Howard (T&H), where the GC expressed concerns about meeting the completion date; eventually an agreement was hammered out. Seeing that the project needs to get done Marty asked if the USDA has to approve the contract prior to the GC beginning. Craig replied yes as this project is still under their umbrella. Doug questioned if work can be started prior to the actual paperwork being returned from USDA. Craig believes USDA approval must be complete for insurance and liability issues prior to the GC starting.
Craig contacted Mike McGrath at the D.E.P. with the GC’s concerns with meeting the deadline due to circumstances out of his control, i.e. land issues to see what the D.E.P. office stance is. Doug Paine from the D.E.P. responded fines typically are not incurred as long as proof exists that efforts are being made to meet the date.
· Zone I Land: Ken Albano is also preparing language for Conservation Restriction and legal description of property in question; currently the appraiser is waiting for the snow to melt.
Palmer Road PURD Project (Quaboag Heights – PURD):
· Tighe & Bond (T&B) Revised Proposal for Construction Phase Services: Craig received Dave Loring’s proposal for services last week, they spoke and Dave has revised his proposal. The revision clarifies focus to be on the Water & Sewer aspect, the estimated cost is $8,500 (approximately 80 hours) for evaluation of plans and observation/inspection. Dave has also received the latest plans, as did this office. The next step will be to receive inspection money from Bukowski and establish the account to fund water and sewer construction inspection by our engineer, sign an agreement with Dave Loring and submit our comments to
Gary Weiner at Ecotec Environmental Associates, Inc. Dave and Craig will review the plan together and submit one letter.
· Graham’s ~ Easement Plan– Plans are done for the easement, Craig asked the Commission if they accept the Grahams proposal of free water & sewer as long as he or his wife own and reside at the premises as discussed previously. The Commission agreed with their proposal and didn’t feel they need to come to a meeting. Craig will have easement agreement written up by Town Council Ken Albano and go from there.
Hospital Road Reconstruction: Palmer Paving was the low bidder, although the contract hasn’t been awarded, though the project should kick off in May. No word on the coordination of bridge replacement yet.
NEW BUSINES:
Pine Street ~ Lot 5: Craig explained to the Commission this particular lot includes our sewer easement and that Donald Smart will be attending tonight’s meeting as he wants to discuss the possibility of encroaching on that easement for a house on that lot. The Commission briefly discussed how similar situations were handled in the past, such as Paradise Lake and Mechanic Street. It was agreed, as long as there is room to service the main, keeping at least 10’ away from the pipe, and that an encroachment agreement be drafted at Mr. Smart’s expense and signed by both parties in the event the land changes ownership, this request would be granted.
Marty suggested provisions such as these should appear in the Rules and Regulations although Craig felt these situations do not arise very often and the circumstances are usually different and therefore difficult to draft a policy other than requiring an encroachment agreement.
OTHER BUSINESS
Water Capital Plan ~ Bonding: Discussion took place on bonding options. The interest rate on the USDA loan is low; however it is a 40 year program resulting in high interest charges. Craig presented some preliminary worksheets based on 4.75% for 10 years and 15 years. The Commission agreed to wait until final figures are in and look at revised worksheets while keeping in mind the Water Master Plan and the financial impact of such projects.
Commission Resignation: Jack Gustafson who has been on the Commission for 7 years informed the Commission this would probably be his last meeting as he will be relocating to Wilbraham. Jack will submit his formal resignation to Town Clerk Nancy Morrell. The members thanked him for his dedicated service during that time and wished him well.
Pine Street, Lot 5 Sewer Easement Proposal: Donald arrived with sketches in hand of the site plan where he was proposing going approximately 5 feet into the easement. Seeing that his proposal met our 10 foot buffer requirement away from the sewer pipe, the Commission informed him they would grant his request provided that an encroachment agreement was drawn up and as-built plans received. It was established that the easement encroachment agreement could be drawn up by Mr. Smart’s lawyer. The Commission also agreed to accept a single as-built drawing, vs. a preliminary and an as-built as long as Mr. Smart is aware that any distance closer than 10 feet away from the sewer line will be unacceptable.
NEXT MEETING:
A motion was made by Doug and seconded by Marty to set the next meeting for Wednesday, April 6, 2005. Motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN:
A motion was made by Marty and seconded by Doug to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
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Marshall L. Harris
Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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