Members Present: Stephen C. Lobik Chairman, Vice Chairman Douglas R. North, Clerk Marshall L. Harris
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 Marty and seconded by Doug to accept the meeting minutes of May 14, 2007. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Quaboag Heights ~ Update: The project is moving right along, units are being hooked up, turned on, and closings are taking place. To date permits have been drawn from the inspection cost credit and waterline work credit which included tree work, back hoe, cost of pipe etc. Now that these funds have been depleted remaining units will be charged accordingly. Mass Highway insisted the existing patch on Rt. 32 be dug out, and repaved after using flowable fill. As a result of a lifting plug being left out of a sewer manhole, a large quantity of flowable fill entered the manhole and sewer main. Workers from Holden Sand & Gravel cleared the manhole, and then Tom and Dave (with help from the Fire Department tanker) went down with the jetter and cleared the main.
S.R.F. Project: Karen Pighetti from Tata & Howard will be sending out the design services contract for the SRF project with the three projects itemized. Brief discussion took place on the proposed dry chemical feed system; hopper and chemical storage space required will dictate the size of the building needed to house the equipment at Bethany Road.
Sewer ~ Update: Craig scheduled the sewer main camera inspection next week with the same outfit from VT who did the last inspection and repair. We will begin with all the 18” reinforced concrete pipe. It is expected to take three days for the inspection followed by any needed repairs. Mark the Project Manager at Quaboag Heights agreed after his experience with the installation of our sewer system it is best to look at the reinforced concrete pipe first.
Tom and Dave borrowed the Park and Rec’s Brush Hog and cleaned up the easement from Chestnut to State St. The easement by the car wash remains overgrown. Craig anticipated the need to transfer more money into the Easement Maintenance and Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) capital accounts at the next Town Meeting to continue to support these efforts. Gerry Skowronek from Palmer called Craig to discuss the high April flow numbers, due to the heavy rain we experienced and high brook levels. Craig is confident the I&I issues will eventually be found and addressed. Gerry also informed Craig they are close to finalizing their budget which will keep the Palmer Sewer System Maintenance separate. State Avenue billing will be handled by
furnishing water usage at the end of the year.
Sewer Grinder: The unit is due June 29th, R.H. White will be handling the installation, Lagrant will handle the Electrical work. Craig expects this process to take two days.
Monson Developmental Center: They are moving closer to putting in there own sewer flow meter.
Correspondence ~ Gary Pfisterer Sewer Billing: The Commission reviewed the letter from Gary in which he challenges being billed by sewer unit vs. water usage. Discussion took place on current policy where all residential homes are charged by dwelling unit, i.e. Quaboag Heights, the Whitakers, and Cushman Hall etc. allowing landlords to set prices based on unit costs. It would require a huge undertaking to bill based on water usage and opens many other issues including identifying where the water goes, sprinkler systems would have to be metered separately, a person would need to be hired to check houses for sump pumps etc. This would also require the base minimum price to be jacked up to cover overhead costs. The Commissions position is to leave the current residential dwelling unit
billing system as is; and will send a response letter to Mr. Pfisterer.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, June 20th at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURN: At 7:00 p.m., a motion was made by Doug and seconded by Marty to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing Ely Road Land and not return to open session. Motion passed unanimously.
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Marshall L. Harris, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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