Members Present: Chairman Stephen C. Lobik, Vice Chairman Douglas R. North, Clerk Marshall L. Harris
Superintendent: Craig W. Jalbert
Secretary: Dale Barnes-Johnson
Guests: Jessica Peterson, and Cathleen Mushenko
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 October 3, 2007. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
S.R.F. Project ~ Submittal for project has been received in Boston.
Revised Costs ~ Bethany Road Pump Station came in at $577,900 vs. the estimated cost of $300,000. The new cost does include $80,000 for the new telemetering system. The revised tank cost is $853,000 vs. the original $740,000 estimated cost. The itemized cost estimate shows the tank to be $470,000, $45,000 for miscellaneous options (interior mixing piping, manway, interior/exterior access ladders) and $338,000 for site work. It appears tank costs were kept low, but the site work price of $338,000 seems padded. Craig and the Commission were in agreement that the total project cost should be kept at or below $1,500,000 if possible. Options were discussed to see if some items could be broken out differently outside the SRF as a
separate project, and or different tank types, perhaps even Welded Steel as coating technology has improved. When Craig raised the site work questions directly to Chris from NatGun (the concrete tank representative) he appeared to be uncertain and uncomfortable with the site work price, and arranged for a site contractor to come out tomorrow to reassess the site and give us a more realistic cost. Marty expressed apprehension that Craig was raising questions that the engineering firm should be addressing, although it is good that Craig is inquiring.
Craig spoke with Mike McGrath from the DEP, who assured him as far as SRF goes as long as a tank is put up, they are not so concerned what type of tank it is.
Residential Multi/Single Family Customer: Guests arrived at the meeting to discuss 235 Main Street, where Jessica Peterson resides. Jessica feels she has been overcharged for Sewer since her property has been under renovations to make it a single family dwelling under Building Permit #3619 dated 11/19/2004. This office received a memo dated September 17, 2007 from the Building Department advising this particular structure had been inspected as part of a renovation in conjunction with a Building Permit dated 11/19/2004 and that the second kitchen and electrical service were removed from the structure and the building was converted back into a single family home.
The Commission agreed communication from the Assessors & Building Office is required before account edits should take place, however under further investigation; consequently as a result of a phone inquiry by the owner and after receiving verbal confirmation from the Building Department, this account has been billed as a single sewer unit since January 12, 2006.
The Commission agreed that if they receive documentation from the Assessors Office which changes the house classification to a single dwelling unit backdated from 11/19/2004, the Commission would abate the additional Sewer charges. The Commission further explained our Sewer billing policy which relies completely on the Assessor’s office classification for a property. No further action will take place from this office until documentation is received.
S.R.F. Project Continued:
Construction Administration ~ The estimate for construction inspection and administration remained at $83,500 total for the entire project. Discussion ensued regarding whether to include that cost in the SRF loan or pay for it out of the enterprise fund. Craig is of the opinion the most efficient and cost effective way to address this is to allocate money at Town meeting from the enterprise fund. This will guarantee that T&H will be doing the inspection and administration of the projects they designed. The Commission agreed.
Water Related Article Requests ~ Discussion took place on the preliminary articles needed, Craig will need to obtain pricing between now and when the articles are due.
Design/Inspection/Construction Fees, ~ Over half of the design fees have been paid out of pocket already leaving a remaining $39,692.95. $83,500 + $39,692.95 = $123,292.95 total for this article.
Palmer Road Roof (Roofers will be coming out and follow up with a proposal).
Bunyan Road Well Cleaning ~ initial estimate is $36,000 for the Co2 cleaning, which at first glance looks to be what was charged at Palmer Road x 2, which includes 2 mobilization charges which is probably an oversight. Craig will inquire about that estimate.
Sewer Related Article Requests ~ Craig will be obtaining pricing for the following:
Tree Removal ~ Easements near the car wash
Re-Roof Station
Paint Station
Test & Seal Joints ~ Palmer bills should continue to get smaller by continuing with rehab and maintenance.
Palmer Bill ~ We received word from the Palmer WWTP today. Right now it looks like the final bill will be smaller than what was expected, however they had not yet received the paperwork from their Special Revenue Account, though it is felt it would minimally impact the final bill.
Palmer Water District ~ Craig has been contacted by Jim Ammann from Palmer Water District #1 who would like to meet with the Commission to further discuss interconnection between the two water systems. The Commission agreed the goal was to have the ability to supply water to either Town in emergency situations without jeopardizing our service, supply or sources. With talk of the proposed Casino within Palmer, that brings on questions that an engineer should possibly address through a study. Craig will coordinate a meeting with the Commission and Palmer.
Water & Sewer Bills ~ Quarterly bills for July – September Usage have gone out. Many calls have been received from customers scrutinizing bills and usage. It is explained to them that before meters are installed they are factory tested and if anything accuracy over time is in the customers favor. More times then not, high usage is a result of leaky plumbing fixtures and toilets. High usage this quarter could also be the result of the Dry Summer in which many homeowners watered lawns and gardens. Unfortunately one customer who after calling the office 3-4 times was not satisfied, and felt the need to go to Commissioner Harris, who diffused the situation.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURN: At 7:45 p.m., a motion was made by Doug and seconded by Marty to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.
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Marshall L. Harris, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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