Members Present: Chairman Douglas R. North, Clerk Stephen C. Lobik
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: Postponed the acceptance of the October 22, 2008 meeting until the Commissioners who attended the meeting are present.
OLD BUSINESS:
S.R.F. Project ~ Updates
Ely Road Tank ~ New tank is on-line, site work almost completed, only a few little things remain to be addressed. The first round of bacteria sampling at both tanks and pump stations all came back good. The increased sampling requirement will be an every month practice as mandated by the DEP. Craig expects to be making some minor changes to the vaults to simplify the process. The warranty period for the tank will begin November 1, 2008.
Bethany Road Pump Station ~ The Well was started up Tuesday; the pump was run to waste, not into the system. The programming for the PLC’s will need some revising to get it where we need it. This will require a change order. The VFD drive was tested and Craig received training on it. The pump intake is set approximately three feet below the top of the 10 foot screen. Boart Longyear was concerned about sand so that setting should take care of that. The pumping rate is 330 gpm and the water level is at 6’ above pump intake. The communication antenna is up. Craig plans to have some conservation mix thrown down at the site, vs. hydro seeding. Discussion took place on a recent article in the Energy Magazine where a partnership between the Power
Company, Power Broker and landowner is formed. The landowner leases land to a Broker who installs solar panels who then sells electricity to National Grid. Craig shared this article with Finance Director Deborah Mahar. The town may look into something like this at the old dump site.
Fern Hill Water Main Project ~ A walk through by Craig, John Morrell and Jeff Murawaski (Engineer from T&H) took place today before final paving, which is to be done November 10th, there will be a final punch list walk through thereafter.
WMA Appeal ~ The conference call between DEP Attorney Deidra Desmond, Commissioner Harris, Attorney Ben Coyle turned into more of a debate, it seemed the DEP was searching for ideas. Tomorrow the State Supreme Court is scheduled to begin a hearing regarding the legality of the registration restrictions which will determine whether the DEP has the legal right to do this, no decision is expected tomorrow. The Commission and Craig discussed the possibility of drafting a letter to DEP outlining conditions we would accept in return for dropping our appeal. During the conference call Craig kept asking how this is going to benefit Monson, how paying more for water is a benefit? Who is going to explain to people on a fixed income why they are paying more for water with no tangible benefit.
Special Town Meeting ~ Monday, November 24th 7:00 p.m. Granite Valley Middle School ~ Articles due Friday, October 24th. There are 3 article requests:
1. To see if the Town will vote to amend the May 14, 2007 STM Article 17 to include the rehab (scraping & painting) of the existing water tower.
2. A request to transfer a sum to go towards the Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Inspection and Repair Project from the Sewer Enterprise Fund. The Commission agreed it is financially sensible to pay for the repair of the sewer lines slowly instead of pro-longing maintenance which will only end up being more costly. After spending all day Tuesday in the rain Craig reports Route 32 has been jetted and is now ready for the testing and sealing to take place. Amethyst is scheduled to come out Wednesday November 12. It is expensive to have two police on detail; however that is the way it has to be because they are in two manholes at once, the plan is to stop at Fenton Road. We are not prepared to address the cross country lines as all of the
manholes have not been located. The lines also go through Rays Trailer park. Craig would like to transfer $20,000 into this account.
3. A transfer from the Sewer Enterprise Fund of $17,180.07 is needed to cover the deficit due for the 4th Quarter Bill for Fiscal 2008.
Budget 2010 ~ Craig received an e-mail from Gerry Skowronek, Superintendent of the Palmer Plant that included the Clean Water Needs Survey which includes projects that have been identified for upgrading at the main plant and pump stations 1 & 2. The largest cost is associated with the nutrient removal upgrades that may or may not be included with this NPDES permit cycle. Craig stated that the Nitrate thing is going to happen in 5-10 years, $26 million at the plant, of which 25% (our current flow percentage) is 6.5 million; upgrades at the pump stations are at 1.7 and 2.5 million each, Craig cautioned there are heavy expenditures down the road. They currently have an emergency repair going on to one of the screw pumps at the plant. If you look at if from the perspective of what’s
been done on the original equipment it is understandable why the huge upgrades are needed. The proposed work at the pump stations which still have the originally installed equipment circa late 1970’s are to update the pumps, motors, back-up generator etc. If towns can’t afford what is mandated, they are fined from the State (subtracted from state aid monies). Discussion took place regarding the project costs, which seem extremely high, and will be above the charge of normal operations. Craig will draft a letter to the Selectmen making them aware of the situation. Discussion took place with regards to budgeting for the Maintenance of the Joint Treatment System, currently it is $315,000.00. This will have to be revised by looking at Palmer’s 2009 budget and base it on our flow percentage.
With regards to the Water Budget it appears the projected rate increase seems to be on track with what was expected with the first S.R.F. payment included. Craig and Dale will review it together in the next few weeks.
NEW BUSINESS:
Leak Repairs ~ Tom and Randy have been listening to fire hydrants performing leak detection on the system, when one is suspected they then use the ground mike to pinpoint it. The following have been repaired:
· Cushman Street at the Bridge over Chicopee Brook, 8” main break was repaired on October 16th.
· A night repair, 6” main break on October 14th at 35 Stafford Road, near Pineview.
· 17 Cushman Street, leaking service line was replaced on October 31st.
· A leaking fire hydrant replacement is scheduled for tomorrow on Route 32 near Fenton Road.
Official Citation ~ Town Administrator Gretchen Neggers presented an Official Citation in recognition of being named the Mass Rural Water Taste Test Champion 2008 for the best tasting water in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from the Massachusetts State Senate. Rural Water Works Fall issue featured an article “Monson Takes 2008 Mass Rural Water Taste Test”. Nationals in Washington take place in April.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURN: At 7:30 p.m., a motion was made by Steve and seconded by Doug to adjourn from open session to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending negotiations and not to return to open session. Motion passed unanimously.
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Stephen C. Lobik, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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