Members Present: Chairman Stephen C. Lobik, Vice Chairman Douglas R. North, Clerk Joseph M. Prior
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 Joe and seconded by Doug to accept the May 18, 2010 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chlorination Equipment ~ While preparing for installation Craig noticed a motor sensor had not been factory installed, and has taken the motor off the skid and sent it back to the factory. While reviewing the instructions Craig realized there was a misunderstanding/miscommunication with regards to his interpretation of the DC Controller manual switch and how it operates with the control panel and chemical feed pumps. While it can be set up to manually adjust chlorine levels, regulations require a timer exist on the chemical feed pumps to prevent over chlorination. The DC Controller is also being returned to the factory for reconfiguration. Craig informed the Commission the skid unit is a bit too wide for the Bethany Station; and would be a better fit at the Palmer Road Station. A new
unit with a 3 week lead-time has been ordered for Bethany Road. Craig believes this would have been noticed earlier if not working on other activities, the Commission agreed this is all part of the learning process.
Sewer Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Remediation ~
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) co-permittee terms and conditions ~ Craig met with Tom Hansen from Tata & Howard (T&H) a couple of times, basically there is nothing irregular about our new requirements. In the format that they have used before, Tom is drafting an I & I Plan based on what we are presently doing. Once a rough draft is created the Commission will review, the best way to accomplish the sump pump problem will then have to be worked out. First information needs to be gathered indentifying quantity and locations. This will be time consuming and require individual house to house visits (approx 1400) must take place in addition to Commercial buildings and roof drains, staffing will be an issue, options include hiring outside, possibly a retiree.
Sewer Easement Access Road ~ Weather has not been cooperating; however, Tom Gregiore has installed the silt sock as required by Con Comm. Hopefully Tom will be able to continue with construction soon.
PVPC/Park Avenue ~ Surveys have been complete, Craig has identified who has good ball valves, who qualifies and doesn’t for private property work and a temporary water service plan is also in place. Jeff Murawski from T&H will be at the PVPC Office Thursday, June 17th for Bid Opening. Review of the submittals by T&H is expected to take 2 weeks, thereafter it will be awarded. Craig expects project to start by August worst case and be completed by Labor Day. A plan will be in place to re-route traffic.
FY2010 Lien Process ~ Review of accounts took place prior to the Demands being issued. Demands were issued to 245 accounts June 15th for FY2010 overdue Water & Sewer Usage Charges, which is close to last years Demands. $4,620 will be added to Commitment as a result of $10.00 demand fees. Dale will clarify how utility interest on liens is handled; individual Warrants are issued for Water and Sewer Liens and Utility Interest. Final Notice of Liens will go out in December prior to Real Estate Tax bills being printed. Last year 53 Accounts went to actual lien. The Commission agreed this is a more effective process than the past practice of shut offs.
Open Meeting Law ~ Revisions have taken place as part of the 2009 Ethics Reform Bill effective July 1, 2010. This law provides particular circumstance under which a meeting may be held in executive, or closed, session. The major changes include that all persons serving on ‘public bodies’ must receive a copy of the Open Meeting Law. Posting of meetings now must include an agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting and this must be available to the public at all times. Meeting minutes must contain more detail information then previously required, i.e. list of documents used which shall be part of the official record of the session in addition to the minutes. The Commission will review the information.
Department Activity ~
Memorial Hall (MH) Service ~ Last Summer the service to the multi family house was removed and established independently, Craig has planned to address the remaining buildings that receive water service from within the basement of MH (W&S Dept., and Art Council) after rebuilding the original service to MH. In theory they could then close MH for winter. Craig and the Commission discussed re-using the 3”pipe to MH as a sleeve by running the new 1-1/2 line through the 3”pipe after it has been swabbed.
Meter Reading ~ April – June usage will take place the last week in June.
Vacation ~ Craig is scheduled to take the week of June 28th off while his wife Jane is recovering from surgery.
Hydrant Maintenance ~ Craig and Tom continued maintenance while Randy was on vacation the week of May 24th, completion is near, this should not have to be done for another 5-10 years. As a result of this maintenance, a stem problem has been uncovered. Craig showed the Commission how the stem is corroding under the brass overlay; even the 2008 hydrant on Bethany Road, only two 929 hydrants did not have this split in the brass. The representative of the 929 hydrant will be coming out; stems may have to be replaced.
Service Line Replacement ~ Service line on King Avenue was replaced main to curb, that same day the line to the house across the street was also replaced due to close vicinity.
Valve Box Repair ~ the valve box in front of Nothe’s on Main Street was dug up and repaired.
NEW BUSINESS:
M.D.C. Flow Meter ~ Craig noticed an inconsistency between April and May wastewater flows, in relation to the drinking water supplied to them, while April and March numbers appear to be usual. April Water = 969,300, Sewer = 1,096,410 and May Water = 1,063600, Sewer = 521,980. Craig had a tech come out today who believes there is a sensor issue, which could be a result of a lightning storm, M.D.C. personnel assisted. The next quarterly bill will be consistent with the month before to keep things fair. Craig explained how M.D.C. must use the State Bid List, and it was agreed to have us hire the tech to do the work, pay the bill and bill M.D.C.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 6:30p.m.
Palmer Billing Dispute ~ There was no need to proceed into executive session, no updates were available to be discussed since the dismissal of Town Manager Mathew Streeter, other then an interim manger is now in place.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Doug and seconded by Joe to adjourn at 7:30p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
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Joseph M. Prior, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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