Members Present: Chairman Douglas R. North, Clerk Joseph M. Prior
Assistant Superintendent: Thomas J. Murphy
Secretary: Dale Barnes-Johnson
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
Accept the Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Joe to except the meeting minutes from February 1, 2012. Motion seconded by Doug. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
W&S Personnel ~ Craig is expected to be an extended period of time. The workload tasks continue to be distributed amongst personnel, which is already under extreme workload. Future Spring events include meter reading, in house groundwork for future road projects (services need to be looked at, age of the lines and pipes to see what needs to be addressed) and Water Main Flushing which Jan has never done. Originally all flushing took place at night, however in the past flushing was split between day and night, however with the construction and building taking place days may not be an option. Tom explained Jan has his in training licenses, catches on, is very hands on, and works hard, however for safety purposes cannot always be left alone. The need for additional help was discussed,
pros and cons of someone who knows the system and has an idea of what we are doing, vs. a laborer. An additional body would help with some of the regular daily work and construction that will be ramping up, storm related clean up, side streets, beaver dams etc. The Commission agreed this has been evident for some time and would like to know the particulars of bringing in another body for the next meeting.
If John Morrell is agreeable, Randy from Highway will work with Tom while Jan is on his scheduled vacation.
FY2013 Budget ~ Possible Road Projects included Bethany Road and Washington Street, as mentioned service line age and conditions have to be analyzed.
All budget line items are level funded with the exception of Salaries which are minimal contractual increases. There will be two separate ATM requests for transfers from free cash (Enterprise Funds):
- Sewer $10,000 ATM request for Swr. Easement Clearing
- Water $55,000 ATM request to Wtr. Vehicle Replacement
As discussed, there may also be a STM request for a sum of money to be transferred from free cash (Water) to replenish Water Operating Accounts to cover Palmer Road Water Main Break expenses and unforeseen materials used due to Tornado related services.
Mechanic Street Water Main Relocation ~ Tata & Howard (T&H) is working on the Bid documents for the Engineering Analysis and Design for the Mechanic Street Water Main Relocation.
Portable Generator ~ T&H is working on specifications.
Sanitary Survey Staff Plan ~Staff plan has been prepared that meets regulations for D2 Distribution and T1 Treatment.
Annual Statistical Report (EASR) ~Due March 23. This intense yearly report details the public water system, water quality data, cross connection program and water volumes.
Request for Abatements:
Acct. #1227 130 Palmer Road ~ Dale informed the customer the Commission’s stance that the Sewer billing structure is based on the Assessors Records, regardless if it is vacant or not. Property owners have 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.
The customer still wished to pursue abatement for 2 units (restaurant and fitness center) for July 2010 through January 2012 because these spaces have been vacant of tenant. Documentation from Paul Tacy, Building Inspector was provided. The Commission agreed the billing policy has been and will continue to be based on Monson Assessors occupancy data (which was confirmed by Mr. Tacy’s inspections), regardless if it is vacant or not, therefore the request for abatement will not be processed. A letter was prepared stating the decision.
Sewer Issue at Lamcotec ~ On Thursday February 9th Chris (Maintenance man at Lamcotec) notified MW&S Dept. of a sewer blockage which was located in the last sewer manhole (on their property) before the street tie. The street appeared clear of any blockage; therefore Tom advised Chris he would need to call a jet company out. Further review of the plans indicated they have an 8” sewer service on the property but then the town curb side has a 6” stub and during install they were able to place a 6” by 8” decrease fitting (which is where Tom believed the blockage occurred). When Tom appeared on site, Mohawk was already jetting, the operator let him know he hit one initial obstruction and then proceeded to hit another obstruction further out. During this time
Tom noticed his operation pressure was above 3000 psi and the water level dropped at least 1 foot in the manhole. Mohawk ran out of water, pulled the jet hose out and filled at the hydrant and set up for another attempt but as he went down the hose became lodged in the pipe and couldn’t be removed. Tom advised Chris that they will need to dig it up, when asked for contractors, Tom suggested Tom Gregiore. Chris called in the emergency DIG Safe, and contractors. The first initial cut was on 6” street side which was full of gravel and stone. They then removed the 8” by 6” coupling, after water was pumped out Tom examined both pipes and noticed a lot of stone and gravel in the 8” and the 6” pipe. They then began to pump out the 6” pipe to free the jet hose still stuck in the 6” pipe. With a lot of time and effort the jet hose was eventually removed. Due to fatigue and darkness Tom told Chris
that it was time to stop and pick up in the morning where they left off. Tom advised Chris it would be critical to jet his pipe and vac the material out, and advocated that he should tell Mohawk to bring the camera out to inspect the pipes to figure out what happened. Mowhak had agreed to come out in the morning at the same time as the vac company. Tom set up a plan to have Mowhak jet and suck the main out first in order to prevent any further blockages then they could camera the 6” and examine the pipe. The vac truck would have to vac the sewer again and we would flush the stones out via the hydrant located in the parking lot of Lamcotec with fire hose in manhole.
Friday, February 10th Tom and Jan loaded the street saw just in case the road needed to be cut at any moment. Chris notified Tom at 8:00a.m. that he was trying to get in touch with Mohawk. Tom and Jan proceeded with some minor set up to prepare and then would begin working on the 6” service stub with the vac truck without Mohawk, just as done the night before. Chris notified Tom Mohawk would not be able to make it or they couldn’t not camera inspect or work in any fashion that could alleviate this problem. Tom explained that we would need a visual inspection of the pipe to fix the problem. Chris then went through the vac company to have equipment to come out which would take some time due to their availability. It was decided to pump water into
the 6” stub and stir up the material continuing the vac procedure, this long slow process into the 6” stub, but it was too late to dig the road and we still don’t have a backup which means steady flow no obstructions. A littler after 2p.m. the jetter truck arrived, Tom advised them to jet the main for obstructions, he made it out over 250’ with ease. Tom was not able to hear the jetter going by the 6” pipe. The camera inspection indicated a pipe wall missing in the street. Being late Friday, Tom sent everyone home until Monday.
Monday, February 13th the road was cut and excavating began, roots and dirty soil were noticed, after the pipes were exposed there was no visible 4’-5’ section of pipe, which did not make sense. It was mystery where the rocks came from, and why there was a section of pipe no longer visible, it had to have been working for some time as there was no paper or solids detected, they hired a contractor to do their work back then, which supposedly was then inspected. Pipe does not disappear; perhaps the jetter blew it apart. In any event, the pipe was repaired and covered with stone.
The Commission discussed how the bills would be separated. This department has always been here to help, while being sympathetic to the situation; it seems fair paying for the piece in the Street. They hired the contractor to do their work back then which was supposedly inspected, Chris called the private contractors and they are responsible for work performed on private property.
In the future, it will be understood if the main is clear it is customer’s responsibility from the sewer stub.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Doug to adjourn at 8:30p.m. Motion seconded by Joe. Motion passed unanimously.
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Joseph M. Prior, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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