Members Present: Chairman Marshall L. Harris, V. Chairman Stephen C. Lobik, Clerk Douglas R. North
Superintendent: Craig W. Jalbert
Secretary: Dale Barnes-Johnson
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
Accept the Minutes: A motion was made by Steve and seconded by Marty to accept the Meeting Minutes from August 2, 2006 and August 16th, 2006. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
State Revolving Fund (S.R.F) ~ Update: The application has been submitted which included the original cost estimate with the Bunyan Mountain location in mind for the new water storage tank. Craig confirmed that if this ends up not being the location it will not be a problem as the intent is to get a new tank. Brief discussion took place on the piping requirements for various locations. Craig spoke with Jennifer Garman who owns the land abutting ours on Ely Road about expanding the existing tank site to make room for a new one. She seemed receptive to the idea. Craig explained our next step would be to survey the area to determine the amount of land needed. Letters were sent to her, Mr. Charles Lindsay and Mrs. Nancy Beauregard. Nancy Beauregard stopped in the office
today to speak with Craig, and it appears she too is receptive. This site potentially could save $750,000 in piping and infrastructure costs, freeing up money to be put towards other projects, including the existing tank renovations.
Quaboag Heights ~ Update: Craig discussed with the Commissioners an idea he had regarding the project. He proposed asking Ted Bukowski to include the tree clearing and water main installation on the easement as part of his work being done in the development. In return, we could negotiate the cost of the extra work out of the future water and sewer entrance fees from the units. This would streamline the process and save us a considerable amount of time and money. The Commission discussed the number of units involved and felt it was worth proposing to Mr. Bukowski.
Macomber Road Sewer ~ Update: Extension has been tested and the masonry work was completed today. We are now waiting on the as built drawings from the engineer. After we receive the drawings we can then accept the extension and begin granting permits.
Delinquent Accounts: All accounts were paid before the 1:00 PM deadline. Two people waited until that day to pay all past due water and sewer charges, including penalties and the $50.00 service termination fee.
FY06 4th Quarter Shortage to Palmer: Final Sewer bill from Palmer was $9,000 over budgeted amount, which will need to be appropriated at the next town meeting. As discussed in the past, increased flows increase our cost to Palmer, which the department is trying to identify, and fix to lessen our costs to Palmer. One particular location is a misaligned pipe in proximity to a manhole at the intersection of Maple St. and Route 32. The expense of this repair is estimated to be approximately $5,000 to dig and repair as it is 9 ft deep. Craig is in the process of exploring alternatives, and found one company who can patch the misalignment from inside the manhole without excavation. The company is a consulting and services firm called Amethyst Environmental, and
they are out of New Hampshire. They are doing an Inflow & Infiltration remediation project for the city of Reading, MA at this time and are very well recommended. Craig would like to talk with them about doing similar work in Monson.
Highway Department: Discussion took place on John Morrell’s proposal to have the Water & Sewer Department pay a fee and pull a permit which includes Mass Highway specs and language which requires flowable fill. This department does not have plates required for flowable fill. Craig expressed his apprehensiveness about signing such a document and stated that John also wants to start charging this Department for raising manholes during street reconstruction projects. Both of the costs would have to be passed on to our customers. The Commission agrees the department has no problem with taking responsibility for any patch that may settle after a break has been fixed. Currently the department pays for road repairs in addition to the hours we use the Highway trucks and
Backhoe. Our project costs would increase if it were necessary to go outside of the Town for equipment. The Commission agrees it is important not to loose the spirit of cooperation between the departments. The Commission would like to have John come to the next meeting to work out a solution, possibly modifying the language of his permit, or if it is an accountability issue, perhaps the W&S Department could come up with language of our own, so that there is a record of the repair. With regards to paying a fee; the question remains, why now, as no fees have ever been paid before. Craig will invite John to the next meeting to reach an agreeable resolution.
NEW BUSINESS:
Water Connection Request ~ Hovey Road, Nordin Residence: Mr. Nordin came in to speak to the Commission about connecting 9 Hovey Road to town water. The Commission explained the Monson Water & Sewer Department Rules and Regulations state no connection will be made to any existing water main unless a perpendicular connection to said main can be obtained. While there may be plenty of pressure at the street, no connection can be made unless a static pressure of 35 psi can be maintained at the dwelling. No connection will be made if said connection will present a degradation of service to existing water customers. The developer across the street has also approached the department requesting entrance or connection to the water system, however was not able to due to lower than required
water pressure. The Commission sympathized with Mr. Nordin whose shallow well just tested positive for bacteria, and whose realtor advised him potential buyers will have problems getting a loan from the bank because the residence has a shallow well. If he could provide documentation that, he cannot make his well safe to drink and cannot get water with a new well, that would be proof of hardship and the Commission might revisit the options available. Mr. Nordin understood the issues at hand, but expressed the disappointment that would arise if in the future he were to learn that a connection was granted to someone else with these same conditions.
NEXT MEETING: The next meetings have been set for Wednesday, September 20, 2006.
ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
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Douglas R. North, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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