Members Present: Chairman Stephen C. Lobik, Clerk Joseph M. Prior
Superintendent: Craig W. Jalbert
Secretary: Dale Barnes-Johnson
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 7:30a.m.
Accept the Minutes: A motion was made by Joe and seconded by Steve to accept the September 30, 2009 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Coliform and Chlorination~ No total coliform bacteria were detected in samples collected on September30th or October 6th, chlorinating was discontinued October 8th. Additional samples were taken yesterday, October 19th; results are expected by noon today. Public Notice will be completed and mailed to all water customers with their bill (saving on postage), a condensed version will appear in the Springfield paper and will include our web-site.
Administrative Consent Order (ACO) ~ Within the ACO the MassDEP has identified actions that must take place should additional violations occur during the next twelve months. The department at this time is unable to comply with having a permanent mechanical chemical disinfection system in place due to the expense of the chemical feed pumps. The ACO has been modified to allow disinfection like last time, and requires within 45 days of becoming aware that a violation has occurred Monson shall submit a plan for installing dedicated equipment. The modification makes the ACO a lot softer, and the Commission agreed to the 45 day plan. Purchase and installation of the equipment at all of the pump stations could take 1-2 years. The Commission discussed tablet vs. liquid
chlorination systems, tablet is the easiest way to go, it is user friendly, and works better with corrosion control. Liquid is less expensive to install, however it is labor intensive requiring daily liquid mixing. The goal is to get an automatic chemical disinfection system in place with auto chlorination pumps so corrosion control will not have to be taken off-line, this will require looking at the different individual needs of each pump station.
SRF Project Update/Tank Rehab ~ The Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Contractor that Modern Protective Coatings (MPC) submitted is not SOMWBA certified, Craig expects to hear today or Wednesday on the new submittal.
MPC is eager to go, all heating and dehumidification issues have been worked out, with a not to exceed amount of $5,000 for heating oil. The department is still very much ahead of the game from the second low bidder.
Sewer Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Remediation ~ Easement work is rolling along, Don Frydryk is working towards submitting the Notice of Intent (NOI) to Conservation Commission (Con Com). Project timing is still unknown; however in the past Rocky Mountain has worked in December. The Haley’s are okay with the Easement Access Road Agreement which Town Council, Ken Albano is drafting.
Margaret Street Sewer Brook Crossing ~ Craig has requested Northern Construction to come out and look at the exposed sewer line in the brook (caused by flood water) to propose a scope of work so Craig can submit it to the Con Com.
Craig is working on getting proposals for relocating the exposed water line out of the brook under the Mechanic St. Bridge. Craig contacted the contractor who installed the new Hospital Road Bridge (ET&L Corp.) for engineering recommendations. ET&L builds and reconstructs a large amount of bridges for Mass Highway and Craig was pleased with their knowledge and performance on Hospital Road. They forwarded three firms and Tata & Howard was listed among them. Craig wants to get engineering proposals and cost estimates along with a construction estimate from the firms for the project before moving forward.
Steve suggested having the contractor onboard as a consultant who works with the engineer to design the project. It typically costs more in the design phase but savings are realized during construction and it results in a better project. Steve will look into further engineering suggestions; timing of this project is unknown now and will depend on project expense.
Special Town Meeting Article Requests ~
Requests for transfers from Sewer Free Cash will include:
- $63,968.81 Palmer FY09 4th Quarter Bill deficit
- $50,000 to offset MDC usage/revenue reduction
- $75,000 towards Sewer Inflow & Infiltration remediation (easement road & complete work on Route 32 to Fenton)
- Request to transfer additional MTBE Money ($54,073.40) to previously established Water Stabilization Fund.
Requests for transfers from Water Free Cash will include:
- $50,000.00 to purchase and install Water Pump Station Chlorination Equipment
- $14,500.00 to replace funds expended for Main Street Water Break.
A motion was made by Joe and seconded by Steve to approve the article requests. Motion passed unanimously.
Department Activity ~
~ In preparation for Highway Department sidewalk repairs on Harrison Avenue, two services were replaced from the main to the property line, moving the curb stop out of the sidewalk, another is scheduled for tomorrow.
~Pump station work continues to get system back to normal, low flow hydrant flushing is being performed to eliminate rusty water complaints.
~An outside contractor (JR Sweeping) was brought in to perform preventative sewer line maintenance to the Main Street Sewer.
~VADAR billing, the new contact seems to be more responsive, acknowledging problems and reporting progress in addressing them. The decision was made to proceed with the Quarterly bills as they are with their print display inconsistencies, at this point trying to import a patch would only complicate things more.
NEW BUSINESS:
Palmer FY2010 1st Quarter Bill ~ The first estimated quarterly bill has been received and submitted for payment.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 8:30a.m.
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Joseph M. Prior, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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