Members Present: Chairman Stephen C. Lobik, 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.
Reorganization of the Board of Water & Sewer Commissioners: Re-election of Douglas R. North made it necessary to reorganize the Board. Marty made a motion to nominate Douglas R. North as Chairman, Steve seconded motion, motion passed unanimously. Doug made a motion to nominate Marshall L. Harris as Vice Chairman, Steve seconded motion, motion passed unanimously. Marty made a motion to nominate Stephen C. Lobik as Clerk, Doug seconded motion, motion passed unanimously.
Accept the Minutes: Minutes from the April 2 meeting were not ready for acceptance at this time. A motion was made by Marty and seconded by Doug to postpone acceptance of the April 2, 2008 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
S.R.F. Project ~ Update: The contracts have not been awarded as of yet. DEP approval has not been received. An interesting twist has arisen at the Ely Road Tank site with regards to the power lines, which need to be shifted. Craig has been working with Mandy at National Grid who has been very helpful; she proceeded to seek permission to relocate the pole and remove several trees along the easement. The landowner refused to allow any tree removal. Mandy then requested a meeting at the site with Craig and the Line Foreman. It was decided an additional pole is needed to avoid tree removal. We will have to provide an access road to the pole but it is a minor inconvenience. The Natgun people are eager to proceed as they too have a timeframe for the project in mind.
Bunyan Road Well Co2 Cleaning: As discussed at the last meeting, as the Co2 surging did not give the results we hoped for. A conventional acid treatment was then tried which based on the report, had a negative result. The use of chlorine as part of normal post redevelopment disinfection seemed to have a positive impact on the well. Ted Morine, from Maher confirmed that the well could be surged with chlorine as part of the cleaning process and the focus remains on what would be best for the life of the wells. The question was raised if chlorine surging should take place now or if it is better to hold off until Maher comes out to clean the Bethany Road well in the next two months. Ted recommends holding off until more data is established.
Palmer Billing Dispute ~ No new updates.
Rates/Budget: As discussed at the last meeting the rates need to be adjusted to make the budget with the bare minimum increases (Electricity, and Contractual Salary Increases).
Water ~ In addition to the bare minimum increases the Commission discussed the importance of looking ahead to the payment of the S.R.F. loan which will be due FY10 while setting rates. The first payment is estimated to be $105,000 due payable FY2010. A motion was made by Doug to raise the current water rate from $3.70/1000 gal., 6,250 gallons or $23.13 Min/Qtr to $4.10/1000 gal., 6,250 gallons or $25.63 Min/Qtr effective April 1, 2008, motion seconded by Steve, motion passed unanimously.
Sewer ~ After review of the Sewer budget which also included bare minimum increases the Commission discussed the Maintenance of the Joint Treatment costs, trends indicate this particular line item must be increased by $100,000 to cover our percentage of Palmer’s costs to run the Treatment Plant. A motion was made by Marty to raise the Sewer Residential Flat Rate per Dwelling Unit from $235/Year, or $58.75 per Qtr to $ $275/Year, or $68.75 per Qtr effective April 1, 2008, motion seconded by Doug, motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Annual Town Meeting: Monday May 12th
Flushing: Our hydrant flushing program began Tuesday evening, April 15th and will continue throughout April during the day and evening hours. The flushing schedule can be found on the Water Department’s web site and will be updated daily.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, April 30, 2008 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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Stephen C. Lobik, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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