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 7:30 a.m.
Accept the Minutes: A motion was made by Doug and seconded by Joe to accept the November 10, 2010 meeting minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS:
Chlorination Equipment ~ Craig is still waiting on the cost estimates for chlorine/pH monitors at the three well pump stations. Craig has not received any feedback from MassDEP in regard to our permit application so as it stands right now we have no deadline to meet for installation.
Sewer Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) Remediation ~ Incremental, slow gains are being made that are making a difference; many joints are not passing on the 24” line but are being sealed and corrected. The contractor ran into problems with their machine not fitting into two manholes. We had to stop for the winter but will continue in the spring with a modified frame to allow access to the smaller man holes. Repairs to one manhole are scheduled to take place Monday December 6.
PVPC/Park Avenue ~ Paving is done, project is complete.
FY2012 Budget ~ Craig and Dale met with Finance Director Debi Mahar to discuss options for meeting budget shortfalls, which included small rate adjustments.
Water ~ to cover the $93,000 revenue shortfall caused by the drop in use at Polymer Injection Moulding reductions will be made to both Emergency Reserve and Budgeted Surplus line items resulting in a $30,000 reduction, Electricity will be cut $4,000, and a one time $50,000 transfer from the Water Enterprise Fund will be requested. However, a 2% rate increase will be needed to completely balance and cover the minimal operating cost increases.
A motion was made by Doug to raise the current water rate from $4.90/1000gallons ($30.63 Min/Qtr) to $5.00/1000 gallons ($31.25 Min/Qtr) effective April 1, 2011, motion seconded by Joe; motion passed unanimously.
Sewer ~ The sewer operating budget offers very limited flexibility for non-salary expenses with a total line amount of approximately $35,000. The budget faces a $5,000 shortfall as it now stands. FY2012 Maintence of Joint Treatment Plant costs will remain the same so this line item will not need to be increased. Discussion took place regarding a 2.5% increase this year versus reducing the Budgeted Surplus which is being used to fund the I&I work. The Commission believes an increase would be inevitable the following year regardless.
A motion was made by Joe to raise the current sewer residential flat rate per dwelling unit from $332/Yr, $83/Qtr to $340/Yr, $85/Qtr effective April 1, 2011, motion seconded by Doug, motion passed unanimously.
Department Activity ~
Unmeasured Flow Reducer~ Craig explained to the Commission that McDonald Brass has presented to him a device that could be helpful with recovering unmeasured flow in our water services. The device installs in place of a meter spud and assists the meter in recording low flows which are lost due to water meter inefficiencies. This could be beneficial to us by increasing revenue and extending the useful life of our water meters. However, the cost of the device is $50.00 each, and the Commisssion would like an estimate as to how long it would take for the device to pay for itself.
Final Notices ~ The Collectors office will be printing the 2011 Real Estate Tax Bills on December 18, 2010, therefore Dale will proceed with the 149 Final Notices for 2010 Water/Sewer Delinquent Balances that will be liened to 2011 Real Estate if not paid in full by Tuesday, December14, 2010.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 7:30 a.m.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Doug and seconded by Joe to adjourn from open session to go into executive session at 8:15 .a.m. Motion passed unanimously.
___________________________________
Joseph M. Prior, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
| 
