Members Present: Chairman Douglas R. North, Clerk Stephen C. Lobik
Superintendent: Craig W. Jalbert
Secretary: Dale Johnson
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
Accept the Minutes: A motion was made by Doug and seconded by Steve to accept the meeting minutes of October 26, 2005. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Bunyan Road Well Improvements ~ Update:
Craig had hoped to arrange a site visit prior to the time change, however that did not pan out. Discussion took place about the possibilities of arranging a tour one afternoon if at all possible, however this turns out not to work for everyone’s schedule. Craig expressed that Town Administrator, Gretchen Neggers and Selectwomen; Kathleen Norbut also wished to attend. Steve suggested to just going, and if he is around he would like to be included.
Flood Impact: Craig informed the Commission that the evaluation of the first flow meter sent out determined the power circuit board was burnt and rusty and the amplifier board was bad, and one other item Craig could not recall. Total repairs $2,476.80, the cost of a new unit would be $2,731.00. Warranty is only on the new parts, the original warranty is voided due to the fact the meter was water damaged and there’s the possibility it could fail shortly down the road. There may be parts that will work now, but fail later on. With this in mind, Craig went with the new unit for just a few hundred more and a full warranty. The second flow meter is functioning, initial plan was to have it sent out; however because of the stance on the warranty he is not going to
bother sending it out, as repairs can be made at any time, and due to the damage caused by the flood they would not be covered under warranty.
Lightning Repairs: Shalin Patel at US Automation has the equipment (flow recorder, a new analog board for the PLC, and an additional surge protector for the flow recorder); however he is going to wait until the new flow meter is installed. Costs were covered under Insurance, and the check has been received, for whatever reason lightning coverage is different than flood coverage.
Hospital Road Reconstruction ~ Update:
Railroad: The saga continues. . . Last word was the agreement would be worked out. Turns out the Real Estate office happened to be where the hurricanes hit in Florida and have not been reachable since. The Friday after last meeting Mike Melnick from Mass Highway (MH) contacted Craig to find out what was going on, Craig explained the steps taken and MH realizes they need the railroad crossing work to complete the project. They do not allow paving when it is below 40 degrees, time is running out. The old water main needs to be taken out of service so the drainage can be finished, which the Contractor can’t do. The RR only allows certain Contractors to perform work in the crossing. Discussion took place on the sleeve design for the water main and
the advantages it offers down the road. MH is scrambling to get this project as far as possible. MH is getting as far as Craig did with the RR. Craig received a quote from NECR for $31,000 to install pipe in crossing, we originally estimated $40,000 for jacking, we are only saving $10,000 which is not part of MH work. MH is trying to figure a way to get an agreement worked out quicker, perhaps by having MH include water main as part of the crossing work in the RR agreement, and then be paid by us as non-participating work, however the Boston office said no as it would take months to handle the details. We have wasted another week. We told RR last week this was what the plan was, however it fell through. Now the plan is to try to have the RR Contractor be a Sub-Contractor for Palmer Paving who would bill MH who would bill us. Problem is we haven’t been able to reach anyone with the RR this week. Contractor was going to
start the crossing work once agreement is signed and know they will get paid. The only other option is to put additional connections from new main to old main on either side of the RR crossing which is above and beyond the contract cost, which is about $12-15,000 that Craig is not going to pay. Doug suggests MH pick that cost up if they want road paved. Craig has asked MH to explain how this is his problem, and why he should have to pay for this because they did not get the RR agreement completed before the project started.
Craig spoke to John Morrell about this, because we are getting down to crunch time, and John had other issues with drainage and design. Tom Vie from Palmer Paving is going to come down to the office tomorrow morning and a letter will be drafted to MH explaining how we don’t feel we should have to pay for the extra costs, as it is not our responsibility to do coordination on this MH job because they dropped the ball. John Morrell wants to get Legal Council involved. Craig wants to be sure things are in order, and documented accordingly.
Job Status: Connections to the new main on both sides of the brook are done. Because the bridge is not going to be replaced until after this project is complete, Craig reminded the Commission we had to put money into the project to put connections from new to old main under the brook for use until bridge gets replaced and the main is hung off the bridge. Once connected to new piping on either side, the valves will be shut off to the main under the brook; the bridge project is expected to start next year.
The new line was charged on the West side of the brook to Route 32 to allow chlorine to dissolve and disinfect, once pressure tested and things turn out okay, services can be done, and that side will be complete, its’ the RR side of the project that will be all screwed up. Not a lot of work left, entire job has only 11-12 services. Storm drain and catch basins on MDC side can’t be put in until the old water main is removed, which can’t be done until the new one is live, which leaves project at a stand still. Craig predicts action to take place next week. Until Craig meets with Palmer Paving in the morning he doesn’t have anything further to report.
Craig informed the Commission that the department had a bad end of the week last week. Thursday was the window of opportunity to repair a leak at one of the manholes on Hospital Rd., Palmer Paving dug with their backhoe. Tom took the measurements and determined the problem to be a sewer service line that services the driving range which was done in the 1990’s with a saddle. Digging was a pain with all the water, but the problem was caused by the angle of pipe into the saddle was not proper and has probably been leaking since it was connected. We used a new style saddle and service is now water tight. While digging up the driving range service, PP ripped a water service line up the road, Craig crimped it off until it was later repaired. It was known Thursday PP had a leak (old main) on the MDC side of the project that they were going to repair on Friday. When turning the water off another leak was noticed near the closed bridge, in the area where the MDC Contractor
installed a steam line under our main, which wasn’t compacted as it should have been and was disturbed by PP’s vibratory roller. So, two water main breaks were fixed on Friday. PP will pay for those repairs, however we worked with them to fix repairs, and they let us use their backhoe Thursday afternoon. Working together benefits both them and us.
Upper Palmer Rd/Macomber Rd: As suggested at the last Commissioners meeting Craig prepared a letter to the Arooths stating what is in the regulations and informing them what they need to do. The letter was signed by the Commission and sent last week, no response yet. Doug confirmed the Selectmen acknowledged they received their copy during their Selectmen’s meeting last night. Doug pointed out For Sale signs are up, and questioned how they could be sold without knowing what the lot sizes are, not to mention the water/sewer accessibility. One person has already signed a letter of commitment, and has since called the office asking if town water and sewer is available and if the lot was buildable, however Craig referred him to the Planning Board. It is a general consensus that
it is unfortunate that the Arooths are in the predicament they are in with the developer they have.
Although Craig was hopeful to get a storage tank on the mountain which would stabilize and hopefully increase pressure slightly, he doesn’t think this will happen. Upon gathering pressure readings on Macomber Road, the most we could hope to gain by putting a tank on the mountain with a big diameter pipe coming down is maybe 2-3 PSI, use of boosters would require changes in our Regulations, discussion took place on the size development in the field and the effect of supplying water with the change of elevation. Craig expects to devote time to researching possible tank locations once projects slow down, which includes working with the Assessors Office to determine land ownership. Steve suggested behind the High School, as it is elevated and the town may
already own the land.
Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP) Schedule: The Public meeting will be 7p.m., November 30th at the High School. Rebekka McDermott (Mass Rural Water Association) and Craig met with the Science Committee from the Middle School to discuss the plan, curriculum does not allow this until after January. Unfortunately the 5th grades, even though they are in that building are not included in the State’s curriculum for the 6th and 7th graders so no teachers from that grade were available, however efforts will be made to include them. They gave Craig information they received From John Golla, they included in their water curriculum on the wells in Monson, which was interesting. November 29th, Craig is going to Quarry Hill with
Rebekka, who will do most the talking.
Palmer Road Well Improvements: The welder, Joe Ham welded the air relief nipple to the casing and filled another hole. He informed Craig, had things been painted and taken care of every year, these problems would not have arisen to the casing up top which is exposed to air. Craig has a dehumidifier running know which has made a huge difference. Discussion took place on what can be done now. Craig would like to have Ted Morine from Maher come out and evaluate the situation and let us know what our options are.
Fluoride Debate: Craig has drafted a letter to the Selectmen to ask for their help in fighting this bill. Currently we are under the 5,000 person threshold and would not be affected by this legislature in its current form, however if the population served threshold was changed it would cost us tens of thousands of dollars in pump station modifications in addition to the extra chemical costs. Craig explained Fluoride is a contaminant in water, and the maximum contaminant level is 4 mg/L, they want 1mg/L added. Discussion took place on how people would vote who are not on the system, however Doug explained everyone who drinks from a town building is exposed to this. Children take tablets, research has shown that Fluoride is effective when applied topically, tests have not concluded the
effects it has when ingested. In fact, if you were to read the package on toothpaste it suggests you call poison control if more than the normal amount is consumed, and studies have shown in boys of a certain age group are at a higher risk of a certain bone cancer, obviously more studies need to be done. Craig feels instead of spending money on water fluoridation, money would be better spent on a Federal Grant set up where people can go and bring their children to have their teeth sealed which is proven more beneficial. Commissioners will sign letter to Selectmen.
General Work Projects:
Completed:
§ 2 water taps are done, no more taps to be done this year
§ Sewer service done
§ Repaired sewer leak on Hospital Road
Remaining:
§ Lot 51 Heratage Ln. is looking to tie into water and sewer stubs
§ 1 water line replacement on Gate Street
§ 2 donut replacements on Hospital Road
§ Fern Hill work
NEXT MEETING:
A motion was made by Steve and seconded by Doug to set the next meeting for Wednesday, December 7, 2005. Motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN:
A motion was made by Steve and seconded by Doug to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
___________________________________
Stephen C. Lobik,
Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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