Members Present: Chairman Douglas R. North, V. Chairman 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 Marty and seconded by Doug to accept the March 1, 2006 meeting minutes as written. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Palmer Road Well: Within the next few weeks Craig will have the cleaning and redeveloping budget (including contingencies) together, which is when the Town Meeting Articles will be due. Discussion took place on the existing equipment, its condition and the expense involved just to disassemble and reassemble and then the added expense if the pump fails in a year or two which would require disassembling and reassembling again. Marty is concerned with spending money now on a new pump that would be changed 3 years from now if the plan is to activate the other well down the road. Craig has reservations about strictly relying on Bunyan Road well if the pump gives us trouble later. We will have to wait and see how the existing pump checks out and try to plan the best we can for contingencies. Discussion took place regarding a standby generator for use at the stations and it was agreed the diesel at Palmer Road will not be removed until another option is in place.
Tank Project: This project will require spending serous money; Craig has been working on gathering Assessor Map information on the parcels that look best. Discussion took place on the benefits of a tank on Bunyan Mountain., i.e. Mr. Cortina’s project which would allow additional customers and solve problems hydraulically on Upper Palmer Rd. Discussion took place on different options of connecting the tank to our system on that property (Bunyan Rd., Country Club Dr.) Marty pointed out it is important to look at what the benefits will be 20 years down the road, vs. what is the cheaper way out, regardless of what a developer wants. Craig is apprehensive about dealing with the railroad company on Bunyan Rd., although he’s worked through this before he can do it again if need
be. Craig would like to incorporate this project into a comprehensive State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan application. Craig was informed no loan was given in the Western Region last year because the way interest rates were and the complexity of the application process. Marty recalled the huge undertaking in SRF application preparation, and feels it is worthwhile to pay to have it prepared. Tata & Howard (T&H) has the ability to do this, and feels rolling together the new tank, painting of the existing tank, and the RT. 32 water main replacement could make for a favorable application. Craig then informed the Commission of the second graffiti incident on the Ely Road water tank. While checking to be sure security was not breached, Craig noticed the paint is pealing badly on the dome and time is running out; we need to move forward regardless of the outcome of the SRF application.
Now that Bunyan Road well improvements are done, and the BSRC discrepancy is settled Craig brought up the fact that T&H has outstanding hours yet to be billed for costs incurred during the process. T&H is not looking to re-coop all of the outstanding time; they feel a portion is their responsibility. When Craig spoke with Don they agreed on a sum of $4,500 which equates to 50% of the total. Craig would like to pay this out of our Engineering Services line item and keep this separate from the USDA funds; reserving those for the Palmer Rd. cleaning. The Commission agreed it is in everyone’s best interest to clear up any outstanding hours prior to beginning other projects with T&H to cut down on billing confusion. Craig will have T&H send out a bill before our next meeting.
Quaboag Heights ~ Update: Craig commented how he and Dave Loring at Tighe & Bond (T&B) have worked well on this project. However, things got off to a rough beginning at the job site when the contractor started laying sewer pipe prior to a final sign off and with no inspector on site. Craig professionally handled the situation. A Memorandum of Understanding has been drafted which will be signed by Ted Bukowski, the Contractor, and Craig.
Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP) Schedule: Craig would like to hold off on the Selectmen presentation until after Town Meeting. Craig has copies of the M-PACT presentation.
FY07 Budget: FINCOM Meeting ~ Craig attended the Meeting Monday, March 13th. FinCom did not have a quorum, so the meeting was purely informational. Discussion was based around the Sewer Budget and Sewer Rate increase. Everything seems fine and there have been no further questions.
Hospital Road Reconstruction: No real news. Guertin & Elkerton has not sent any money, however a letter from the SEA Attorney was sent to the Town Administrator wanting to work with the Town. Palmer Paving is ready to start completing the project.
Sewer System - Brush: Tom and Dave have been working on cross country easements (State St. to Chestnut St. along Washington St.) cutting brush which had not been done since early 1980’s, and has significantly grown in and needs to be cleared out. Craig has a meeting scheduled with the Conservation Commission on the 29th to discuss the work.
· Dave’s Injury: Thursday, March 16th while Dave Martin was cutting brush he wrenched something in his back when his foot got snagged while crossing a brook. Dave Martin is off work until further evaluation by the treating physician; it has not yet been determined how long he will be out. Marty suggested getting an estimate to have the easements maintained regularly on a yearly or 2 year basis. Doug agreed this recent injury was minor, it could be worse. Craig informed the Commission he hired Jeff Chaffee to help with a service leak on Elm Street today. Meter reading will be taking place next week, followed by
Water Main Flushing. Craig has asked Jeff Chaffee about helping out if Dave is still unable to work.
State Avenue Bridge Project: There has been no response from Mass Highway.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): Paul Bracciotti is getting ready to submit the grant application. As a formality PVPC needs a Financial Commitment Letter for the Wales Rd. project offering this support. Doug made a motion to commit $30,000 to the proposed infrastructure improvement project on Wales Road pending grant approval. Marty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. In addition we will be hiring a contractor to perform a detailed camera inspection of the sewer main in the proposed project area at an estimated cost of $4,000. The inspection will bring to light any deficiencies that might be present in the sewer system on that street so that we can address them before the project commences. Craig prepared a letter to the Board
of Selectmen committing financial support for the proposed infrastructure improvement project on Wales Road.
NEW BUSINESS:
Consumer Confidence Report (CCR): Craig shared with the Commission the prepared 2005 CCR or Water Quality Report for their review and comments. The CCR will be included with the April mailing of the bills, which saves on postage while meeting the July 1st distribution requirement.
Web-Site: Our web-site now includes copies of our permits, Rates & Fees, Water Rules and Regulations, 2005 Annual Report, Frequently Asked Questions and our CCR. It is updated daily with particular events that take place, such as meter reading, billing information and flushing schedule/route.
DSL Connection: The change from Verizon 56K to Verizon DSL which allowed a direct connection to the server eliminated disconnects from occurring while working in VADAR, however it turned out to be extremely slow, to the extent that it prolonged the billing process significantly. We recently modified how that connection is configured which has amazingly increased speed and will be put to the test during the upcoming meter reading and billing process.
Purchase: The HP2500 Printer purchased June of 2000 has been problematic these past six months. The Collectors Office recently purchased a HP Color Laser Jet printer which seemed affordable, and created professional-looking documents. A flyer from Staples offered the very same printer with a $100 rebate. Debbie Mahar arranged for the town to join a Staples Business Advantage program, which through customization additional discounts would be offered. Dale was able to secure $20 in additional savings along with the rebate, which the Staples Program Associate put through.
Town Meeting: Craig advised the Commission May 8th has been set for the Town Meeting. Discussion took place on proposed articles which included:
1. Palmer Rd. cleaning contingencies.
2. Increase down payment on the Hospital Road Waterline Replacement project
3. CDBG: ~ pending grant approval a support article may be required.
4. Sewer: Tree removal in the easement and sewer main repair.
5. State Avenue Bridge water main.
NEXT MEETING: A motion was made by Marty and seconded by Doug to set the next meeting for Wednesday, April 5, 2006. Motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Marty and seconded by Doug to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
___________________________________
Marshall L. Harris, V. Chairman
cc: Selectmen
| 
