Members Present: Chairman Douglas R. North, Vice Chairman Stephen C. Lobik, Clerk Joseph M. Prior
Assistant Superintendent: Thomas J. Murphy
Secretary: Dale Barnes-Johnson
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
Accept the Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Joe to except the meeting minutes from November 30, 2011, December 22, 2011, January 11, 2012 and January 25, 2012. Motion seconded by Steve. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
W&S Personnel ~ It is still unknown what the expected length of time Craig will be out. In addition to the extreme workload tasks are being distributed amongst personnel. Dale is managing the office as Tom cannot be in the office, or can Jan be left to work alone. Tom continues to do manage station maintenance, scheduling, monitoring instruments and water testing, respond and manage all emergency calls or changes directed from the Mass DEP for the distribution system.
FY2013 Budget ~ The Commission questioned if there were any road projects coming up that would impact the budget. Tom indicated John had anticipated repaving the area’s impacted by the June 1 tornado. Timing is up in the air, Tom attended a meeting with BayState Gas who would like to extend gas to that same area, and they are supposed to do perform an assessment. Regardless the department will look at the services, age of the lines and pipes to see what needs to be addressed, this is a time intense process which was started before the tornado on Bethany, but now includes the roads impacted by the tornado. The Commission would like to hold off on the final budget until more information is available. Dale advised the Commission we would have an opportunity to submit a article
request before the Annual Town Meeting if needed.
Water Line Repairs ~ 30 Flynt Avenue repairs were completed around 10 p.m. Randy came in and assisted along with Ben from Highway who ran the backhoe, Tom was appreciative for the Brian from Highway who ran the mini excavator on loan to the Highway. The shut off was in the middle of the road, due to the location of the leak water was running down the hill, which with the cold temperatures could freeze. The drawings were difficult to work with, measurements were not accurate, and digging was tough as the material had lots of granite. The line was replaced main to gate, the gate box was moved to the property line, due to the water line location the shut off is in the middle of the driveway; proper modifications were made so it should not be damaged.
New Services ~ Permits were issued for a new Group Home on Pine Street. Although excavation will begin, until John Morrell lifts the band for cutting into the streets water and sewer connections will not take place. Water will be off 6” Bethany Road vs. 4” Pine Street due to the size of the water mains, Sewer has yet to be worked finalized.
Request for Abatements:
Acct. #1227 130 Palmer Road ~ a formal request has come in for the building that is comprised of four units, which matches the Assessors Records. Because the restaurant unit has been vacant since July 2010 abatement for $1,120.00 is being requested, they feel represents six quarters sewer billing on the restaurant unit since FY11 and six quarters of sewer billing on an upstairs-left unit since FY11. They are also requesting that the upstairs unit be removed from the billing until such time as a plumbing permit is pulled to install water and bathroom facilities.
The Commission disagrees with the logic behind the request. The Sewer billing structure is based on the Assessors Records, regardless if it is vacant or not. The property owner has the right to go to the Building Department and Assessors Office to find out what modifications need to take place to have the properties Assessment changed, until this happens billing stands Sewer-MU 4. Dale will notify the owner.
Acct. #1401 120 Palmer Road ~ The owner contacted the MW&SD after receiving his bill as he expected a abatement because the gate valves on both side of the backflow broke during 12/14/2012 Palmer Road water main break. Tom looked up the flow rate at full dump of the RPZ at 80 psi. A abatement will be issued for 40,000 based on those findings and usage history. Dale will notify the owner.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Doug to adjourn at 7:45p.m. Motion seconded by Steve. Motion passed unanimously.
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Joseph M. Prior, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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