Members Present: Chairman Stephen C. Lobik, Vice Chairman Douglas R. North
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 Doug and seconded by Steve to postpone acceptance of August 3, 2010. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Coliform and Chlorination ~ the results of the routine monthly samples collected on Tuesday (August 10, 2010) showed that three of the eleven samples collected tested positive for very low levels of total coliform bacteria (Concrete tank, Fire Station and Old Wales Road Dam). All samples were negative for e-coli. All of the well samples were free of total coliforms. The lab notified Craig Thursday, August 12 who then contacted the DEP, it was agreed the 24 hour repeat samples would be taken the following day, Craig flushed the Fire Hydrant at the Fire Station and Stafford Road all day and overnight to move the water as he had noticed temperature of the water had been warmer then usual. Re-samples were taken Friday, August 13th up and down stream of all three hit locations as
required. Both Old Wales Road and Concrete locations tested positive for small amounts of total coliform bacteria, the Fire Station was negative. Regardless, an automatic violation occurs when there are any 3 positive results and we were mandated to begin chlorination to eliminate the coliform. Craig spoke with the DEP about possibilities and reminded them he was instructed to shut the Bethany Road well down Friday, July 30th as a result of Perchlorate testing. When this happens the tanks can not be filled at the customary speed as both wells run to keep up with the daily usage. Wednesday, August 4th Bethany Road Well was started, Thursday, August 5th a bad lightning storm knocked out the PLC at Bunyan Road, Tom was unable to get it working and called Craig who was in PA and was unable to troubleshoot over the phone. Monday, August 9th Craig and Tom worked together and fixed the problem. Our water system was
down one well almost two weeks, allowing the water in the tank to become stagnant in the summer heat. After repeat hits at the concrete tank, Craig decided to take it off line, drain it and have Merrithew come out to inspect and disinfect with spray disinfection. Once drained, we noticed a 1” drain hole in the vertical pipe column as it rises from the floor of the tank. Craig contacted Natgun and they verified the existence of the drain hole and explained its purpose is to drain the mixing system during cold weather. The drain hole concerned Craig who thought it could compound the problem to a small extent, short circuiting the intent of the mixing system. Craig tapped the drain hole and installed a corporation stop so it won’t bypass the mixing system. The inspection found all as it should be, so the tank was disinfected and filled.
Chlorination Equipment ~ The first skid unit was ultimately installed at Palmer Road and the 2nd unit is in place at Bunyan Rd. Lagrante Electric came out and wired them and we were chlorinating at those two locations on August 18. The third unit arrived Friday, August 27 and was installed at Bethany Road. Paul Hebert of Lafleur Electric wired that unit as he had done the building wiring at that location. We began chlorinating at Bethany Rd. on August 31. Craig explained he could go on for hours with all that has gone on during the last few weeks, it was a ton of work getting the equipment up and running with long hours, some nights till 6 or 8, and a few speed bumps that were worked through along the way. This all took place while we were also repairing two service
leaks and a broken water main from the construction crew.
After discussions with the State, it was decided it would be best to continue chlorination until the middle or end of September because no other cause could be identified other then the warmer water temperatures for the hits. The Commission agreed timing of chlorination may turn out to be a good thing while the Park Avenue project is going on. Areas where flows are good because of schools etc., like Harrison Avenue are at higher chlorine levels, hydrants are being opened to increase flows on Stafford Road. Wales Road continues to be a problematic area that needs to be addressed at some point as the hydrant can only be opened minimally without disturbing water pressure in the neighborhood. The goal is to get chlorine out to the extremities, then throttle back at stations, it is
beneficial that corrosion control can be run at the same time.
PVPC/Park Avenue ~ Project is moving along, lack of room makes things a bit difficult. 12” main connection was scheduled for today, customers between Green Street and Subway were notified they would be without water from 8am until 3 pm. Unfortunately Tom received a call at 3:30 am from Monson Police advising him of a water leak that was bubbling up and going down High Street. Knowing what lied ahead of them for the day Tom moved swiftly, Tom made calls to DIG Safe and Tom Gregiore. Randy and Tom had road cut by 6:30 am which is when Tom Gregiore arrived to dig. Repairs were made and the trench backfilled by 7:45 am. Craig called Bill Cadieux to patch it immediately. Looking back Craig realized this had been missed last year when the department was rushing to address
old services before John Morell commenced his work on High Street. Craig advised the Commission Tom did a great job.
The 12” connection for Park Ave. went well. Craig had never shut down the 12” main on the downtown side of Main St. before. The 115 year old 12” valves shut well and reports he was pleased with how things progressed; water was back on at 3:15 pm. The next step is for them to pressure test, chlorinate/disinfect, flush and wait 24 hours to take a bacteria test. Thereafter services will be connected and then finish the drainage. There are four new services that will go into houses. The first day of water main installation the construction crew broke a sewer connection that went over the main vs. under, the patch that was made that day was dug up yesterday so a permanent repair could be made.
Sewer Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Remediation ~ When Craig last heard from Amethyst Environmental the schedule looked like the 2nd or 3rd week in September, which Craig felt was doable. The plan is to go as far as the remaining money will allow.
Margaret Street Sewer Brook Crossing~ Northern Construction came out and completed job; it is as good as it can be. Granite curbing was positioned going with the brook; bigger rip rap was also used. The test will be how it holds up with the heavy rains due this weekend.
Department Activity ~
Palmer Road Gate Repairs ~ The gate needed replacement as the original welds broke and the gate collapsed.
MIIA Claim Upper Palmer Road ~ Tuesday, August 17, a resident contacted the department requesting reimbursement for tire repairs caused by a pot hole on Upper Palmer Road which is under construction with proper signage in place ‘Road repairs travel at own risk’. Craig explained to the Commission the department had replaced a gate box top the week of perchlorate activity, it was left gravel, which recent heavy rains washed out. At the end of business day Monday, August 18 a highway employee stopped by the office reporting the wash out, the next morning gravel was put back in place, however, shortly thereafter the resident called the office reporting tire damage and produced a bill for $158.57. A claim was filed with MIIA.
Hydrant Maintenance ~ The M&H representative contacted Craig with a different proposal. After consulting with the factory he proposed that M&H provide the 90+ upper stems required fabricated from stainless steel at no cost to us but we would be responsible for the installation labor. Craig explained that this offer came about as a department in Alaska is requesting stainless, therefore our stems could be added on to their existing production run. The Commission discussed the choices and decided on the stainless. It will solve the problem and we will be able to control the work on the hydrants rather than an outside party we would have to supervise. The Commission also suggested exploring additional compensation options such as spare parts that may be needed during the change
outs. Craig agreed there should be some additional parts provided (bolts, gaskets, etc.) to facilitate the process.
Chlorine Tablet System ~ Originally Craig was given a budget price of $4500 per unit for the tablet chlorination unit from the manufacturer. However, the sales representative is now quoting prices of $7,000 per unit to Craig. Craig explained to the rep he can understand if there was a $1,000 difference because the unit was still in development at the time but the price difference now seems quite excessive. Craig is waiting to hear back from the rep.
Special Town Meeting Article Requests ~ Town Meeting has been set for Monday, October 18, 2010, the warrant will be opened on Tuesday, September 14 and remain opened until Tuesday, September 28, however we are asked to submit all articles as soon as possible. Discussion took place about possible requests, Dale and Craig will go over Enterprise Fund Balances. The Chlorination Equipment account currently has funds remaining, however bills remain outstanding for the last skid unit. Chlorine analyzers are required by the MassDEP Chemical Safety Plan. Tablet system in favor of , currently mixing is time consuming and safety risks are a factor of concern. Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) funds will last into the winter and could possibly wait until the spring. Easement Clearing
funds have been totally depleted. The Commission agrees a lot has been done in a short amount of time, the group decided a tour of the pump stations the next meeting would be beneficial.
Sewer Complaint ~ Craig received a call from Gerry Skowronek, Supt. of Town of Palmer WPCF informing him a white color was observed in their tanks and that Monson’s sample contained the same white substance, Craig immediately called MDC, who it turns out dumped 75-100 gallons of latex paint into the sewer, he told them to stop disposing of any more of the paint immediately, which they did. MassDEP and Gerry spoke to MDC Facility Director and Director of Maintenance who informed them a Clean Harbors representative who was hired to remove the oil based paints, thinners etc, from MDC, said that the latex paint can be poured down the drain to dispose of it. Wrong. Gerry and Kenny report they have had no adverse affects and will continue to monitor the plant and will start to slowly meter
in the white colored wastewater from their holding tanks. Craig suggested they keep track of costs and bill MDC.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 6:30p.m.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Doug and seconded by Steve to adjourn the meeting at 7:50p.m . Motion passed unanimously.
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Douglas R. North, Vice Chairman
cc: Selectmen
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