Members Present: Vice Chairman Marshall L. Harris, 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: A Motion was made by Steve and seconded by Marty to accept the meeting minutes from the October 1, 2008 meetings. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
S.R.F. Project ~ Updates
Ely Road Tank ~ Site work continues, the fencing is laid out, a stump still remains to be removed and underground drainage may be required around old tank.
Bethany Road Pump Station ~ The site looks good, additional grading by Pete Lloyd remains to be done. Craig wants to explore the possibility of installing solar panels at the site. The chemical feed hopper should be in Friday.
Fern Hill Water Main Project ~ A piece of equipment remains on site, plans are to install the permanent paving in November.
DEP Sanitary Survey ~ The floor drain issue at Palmer Rd. was not mentioned in the final report. In the November 2002 survey Monson was rated as having Conditional System Capacity, the most recent survey indicates that Monson has made a commendable effort and considerable strides forward in improving the water system, and the capacity has been changed from Conditional to Adequate. In addition to some minor recommendations the following requirements were issued:
· submittal of a Maintenance Plan to the Mass DEP regional office for review and approval by April 30, 2009
· update Emergency Response plan by April 30, 2009
· addition of two monthly bacteria samples collected at the Tanks
· addition of three monthly bacteria samples after treatment at Palmer Rd., Bethany Rd. and Bunyan
WMA Appeal ~ Deidra Desmond, DEP Attorney, contacted Craig to see if we are still going to appeal and requested to have a conference call set up. The Commission discussed the expense of appealing in court, Craig feels it is important to do the best we can for our ratepayers. Craig’s perspective is that restricting residential water use will lower revenues which will in turn force us to charge more for the remaining water we provide. We will be in a position where we have to explain to our customers why they are paying more for their water with no obvious benefit. The customers who use the minimum (low/fixed income) will be impacted. If it is a dry summer and a drought advisory is in effect mandatory drought restrictions are supposed to be enforced. Perhaps a change may have
to occur to the Water restriction By-law to enact the restrictions unless the DEP declares a State of Emergency. Ms. Desmond asked if there is any middle ground to resolve the appeal. Are they looking for a proposal? The conference call is to take place with the Attorney from the DEP, a member of the Commission and Ben Coyle from Bacon & Wilson. Almost forty towns are appealing these restrictions. Craig concluded it is a shame that the ratepayer’s money is being spent for this while the DEP is wasting the taxpayer’s money pursuing this dubious policy.
NEW BUSINESS:
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 (sandblasting & painting) of the steel water tank.
2. A request to transfer a sum to be determined to go towards the Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Inspection and Repair Project from the Sewer Enterprise Fund
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 ~ Level Services due by October 31st~ Craig explained to the Commission that at the Town Office the mention of a new person did not go well. The Commission agreed there is a legitimate need to maintain service within the budget in the best interest of the department. It is obvious due to the fiscal crisis; timing is not likely to get the support from the Town Offices or FINCOM.
Polymer Corporation ~ Polymer would like to add a new process which would result in additional wastewaters being drained into the wastewater system. Craig met with Jim Ryan of Polymer Corp. and Ken Lord of the Palmer Water Pollution Control Facility to discuss what is involved and what would be required of them.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURN: At 7:15 p.m., a motion was made by Steve and seconded by Marty 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.
___________________________________
Stephen C. Lobik, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
| 
