Members Present: Chair Joseph M. Prior, 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 Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Doug to accept the September 26, 2012 meeting minutes, motion seconded by Joe. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
Utility Truck ~ Step bars and mud flaps have been installed, and lettering was applied by Hampden Sign; still waiting on the utility body.
2005 Ford Pick Up Truck~ Craig is getting pricing for body work and new tires, funds will be requested from the Sewer Emergency Reserve.
2001 Ford Utility Truck ~ had a spark plug issue; it had loosened and finally blew out when the crew was at Bunyan Road. Instead of having it towed, Bob Irla came to the rescue and was able to repair it; however an appointment needs to be made to replace the cracked coil pack.
Tow Behind Generator ~ Lafleur Electric is fixing the plug issue at Bethany. No word yet on generator delivery date.
M.D.C. Generator Update ~ Craig and Marshall Harris checked out the MDC unit in the basement of the Simmons building. It is configured for propane but was installed in the 50-60’s. Craig does not believe it would be cost effective to spend funds removing it from the basement, procuring an enclosure and installing the 40 year old transfer switch. The alternative is a larger, modern outdoor unit that is available and could be installed outside the highway department which we could share. Craig believes we should wait and see how this scenario plays out before we make a decision.
Mechanic Street Water Main Relocation ~ The N.O.I. is complete; Ymane from Tata & Howard (T&H) attended the meeting with the Conservation Commission. We are waiting now on the order of conditions. We plan to bid this project over the winter and hopefully schedule it for after July 4, 2013 when school is out.
Special Town Meeting ~ The BOS scheduled the special town meeting for Monday, November 26, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. We have two requests, one for the cleaning of Bunyan Road Well, last done in 2008; Craig met with Peter Maher and will be receiving pricing. The other for G.I.S. System map updating, Craig met with Tighe & Bond (T&B) engineers to discuss updating the Water & Sewer system maps, and should be receiving a proposal soon. The Assessor’s Office has done a great deal of the groundwork already.
FY2013 2nd Quarter Billing ~ Reading went well and bills will be mailed Monday, October 22, 2012. Upon review of accounts with zero usage, 23 accounts have active meters and are vacant; with winter approaching a notice will be sent to those accounts informing them that the property owners are responsible for keeping the water meter from freezing.
Department Activity ~
Water / Sewer Repairs ~ Service leak at 54 Palmer Road was repaired, both 54 & 56 were removed from the 6” main and connected to the 12” main on west side of 32.
Road Projects ~ the hydrant at 67 Bethany Road was replaced. Two valve boxes on Main St. at the bottom of Thompson were replaced; Tony used his welding skills to modify a valve wrench to operate worn and deteriorated valve nuts.
Backflow Device Testing ~ All devices have been tested.
Bunyan Road Well Pump Issue ~ Craig had Lagrant Electric come out to investigate an electrical problem with well #2. It ended up being a wrong size fuse had been installed from the factory, which had just now made itself known.
~ Bill Cadieux will pave the patch on Cedar Swamp and we will complete repairs on that service in the spring.
~ Palmer Paving will grind and overlay Route 32, 142 Palmer Road so it does not collect water and ice over the winter.
~ Hydrant on Bethany Road near Stewart needs to be relocated.
~ Service line replacement is required at 12 Washington Street before the multi-unit construction takes place.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Doug and seconded by Joe to adjourn at 7:40p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
___________________________________
Douglas R. North, Vice Chairman
cc: Selectmen
| 
