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 Doug and seconded by Steve to accept the Meeting Minutes from January 25, 2007. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
USDA Bunyan Road/Palmer Road:
Bunyan Road: One of the replacement Well Level Transducers is up and running, the other is not yet due to installation complications caused by the cold temperatures.
Palmer Road: The first electric bill we have received since the upgrades shows a drop in peak kw usage, however, Craig is still collecting data to compare gallons per kwh.
S.R.F. Borrowers Meeting: Craig inquired as to whom would be accompanying him to the March 6th, 10:00 AM meeting at the DEP office in Springfield. Steve and Marty acknowledged they could attend. The Town Accountant, Treasurer, Town Administrator and Karen from Tata & Howard will also be attending. The Commission discussed the article which appeared in the February 24th edition of the Republican. The article described the EPA’s decision to cut funding to the Massachusetts SRF program by 7 million dollars. Craig followed up by contacting Deirdre Cabral of the MassDEP Western Region office and was advised that the cut will not effect this years funding list, but next year the funding available will drop significantly.
Craig is in the process of developing summaries of the projects that make up our SRF loan proposal and their impact on the water system. In regard to the new tank, Marty suggested e-mailing the Insurance Service Organization (ISO), which reviews and rates the fire-fighting capabilities of individual communities. Many fire insurance companies use the ISO rating as one factor in setting the amount of premium that is paid on a particular property. In our particular case, the question was raised if ISO needs to be notified if our existing tank is taken out of service for maintenance. We are not interconnected with another system and we rely on that one tank.
Monson Developmental Center (MDC): Craig has been told, although we have not received it, the agreement for the Grinder is complete. He has also met with the Town Finance Director, D. Maher with regards to the bidding process.
Craig met at MDC with Mike Hurley, Patrick , Rick Nash, the Flow Meter representative and Jim Toomey from Palmer Paving. The proposed flow meter looks to be the best alternative for the application and Palmer Paving will be doing the installation.
Quaboag Heights ~ Update: The connection from Country Club Drive to the development took 2½ days to complete. After Mr. Bukowski provides copies of his invoices and costs we will be able to set the entrance fee amounts. Closings will probably be at least a month away.
Fire Works: The School Committee approved Quarry Hill School to be the site for the Summerfest fireworks.
NEW BUSINESS:
Palmer Billing: Craig advised the Commission that Palmer is in the process of reallocating responsibility for the sewer piping system. Historically the Highway Department in Palmer handled it. They have decided to switch that task over to the Treatment Plant staff. Although they are still working out the details, Craig is quite concerned. Craig explained that costs incurred by Palmer relating to the wastewater collection system cannot be included on the Treatment Plant operation & maintenance costs submitted to us. The Commission thought it best to send a letter to Gerry and Palmer’s Town Manager expressing our concerns so we might address this situation now rather than later.
Buckwell Property: Nate Olsen and Al Papesh stopped by the office today with their development plans for the Buckwell Property. Two homes will be off of Whitney Ave. and two homes will be off of Reynolds Ave. The remainder will be off of Main St. Craig informed the Commission he will have to update the connection to Whitney Ave before any services can be tied in there.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Thursday, March 15, 2007.
ADJOURN: At 7:15 p.m., a motion was made by Doug and seconded by Steve to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing Ely Road Land Appraisals and not to return to open session. Motion passed unanimously.
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Douglas R. North, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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