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Commissioners Present: Douglas R. North Chairman, Joseph C Prior Vice Chairman, Paul C. DeMaio Clerk
Employees Present: Superintendent: Craig W. Jalbert; Secretary: Dale Barnes-Johnson
Guests: Emma Ladd Shepherd, Barbara Shepherd, Bob Price, Tod Beall, Douglas J. Farmer
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
Palmer Water Connection ~ The Republican published an article (July 25) announcing that Palmer Water District No. 1 has an agreement in principle with Monson Water and Sewer Department to construct an interconnection between the two systems to provide water if the Mohegan Sun Massachusetts resort casino proposal becomes a reality. Guests attended tonight’s meeting to discuss their concerns about the proposed agreement. Craig explained the thought process behind the decision to engage in the agreement in principle, taking into consideration capacity, storage, distribution and water quality. Palmer may yet seek other sources of water, including water systems in Palmer’s other villages. For some time discussion about an interconnection has taken place between the towns so that if an
emergency occurred in either town, the other town could provide back-up water supply. In 2006 funds were approved to install pipe across the bridge as part of a Mass DOT bridge re-construction project; however the bridge project has been placed in a six year planning queue with remediation of the piers to be scheduled sooner rather than an actual replacement. Jim Amman, Superintendent of Palmer Water District #1 (PWD1) approached the board about reaching an agreement in principle on the actual construction of the interconnection which would be completely funded by Mohegan Sun. Due to the condition of the existing bridge engineers have recommended crossing under the river by means of directional boring, which would be an ideal way to prevent freezing issues. The connection would also improve water quality at that end of the system now that the Monson Developmental Center (MDC) has closed. The closed MDC used 11 to 12 million gallons annually.
Palmer’s proposed usage would replace MDC’s loss and we would still have additional capacity to handle any MDC reuse and a residential boom. From a business standpoint, this would be a way to make the interconnection happen with no financial liability and no future maintenance costs. Monson lost a significant customer when MDC closed, so Mohegan’s usage would be a replacement and would not stress the wells. When asked what the benefits are as a ratepayer, Craig explained there are a number of variables, we calculate our rate based on our proposed budget and projected billed usage. If you add the additional usage with our existing budget our rates would naturally go down. However, any future projects our system would require would be bonded and those payments would increase our budget but the extra revenue from the additional usage would balance the increase.
Craig then read aloud a copy of a statement we posted on our website to inform our customers of the facts regarding the Town of Monson’s Well Capacity.
“In 2007 and 2008 the Monson Water Department pumped an average of 472,000 and 480,000 gallons per day (gpd) respectively with absolute ease. Since that time, conservation efforts on the part of the residents and businesses of Monson in conjunction with our leak detection and repair work have significantly reduced our average daily usage. In 2012 we averaged 373,000 per day and that included the last year of MDC. In 2013 we are averaging 330,000 per day. Presently, our pumps only need to run four times per week to meet that demand. We are ultra conservative when it comes to our wells and our equipment so when we say with our present configuration we could safely and reliably pump 650,000 gpd, it is a fact. We have four active wells at this time but we only use three per
pumping cycle as we constantly switch which well we use at the Bunyan Road Station to extend their longevity. 650,000 gpd is almost double what we are using now and that would be an unprecedented amount of growth. Based on our existing MassDEP water withdrawal registration we are allowed to pump an average of 920,000 gpd. However, in our opinion, if we ever needed to push past the 650,000 gpd mark an additional well would be required. In the event that much growth was experienced we would incorporate the satellite well we already have waiting for us at the Palmer Road Station. This well was drilled in the late 1960’s but was never used. We subjected it to a rigorous pump test in 2005 when we were upgrading the Bunyan and Palmer Road Stations and it performed very well and will augment our system nicely if we ever need it and at a very moderate cost. Palmer’s proposed minimum of 35,000 gpd would barely replace the usage we lost
when the MDC closed. The proposed maximum of 150,000 gpd would bring us back to 2008 pumping levels and we would still have additional capacity to handle any MDC reuse and a massive residential boom without any changes to our system.”
Discussion took place among our guests regarding the lack of information coming from the Palmer Town Council. The Commission explained until recently Mr. Ammann was unable to approach Monson about possibly reaching an agreement in principle on the actual construction of the interconnection and setting of terms and conditions on the purchase and sale of water due to confidentiality issues. Ms. Sheppard asked if the Commission should have waited until after the license decision is made before starting negotiations. Craig explained our agreement in principle is with PWD#1, not Mohegan Sun and it pertains to the design of the interconnection and the sale of water which is the purview of the Water & Sewer Commission. If Palmer is granted the casino license and if Monson is approved as a surrounding
community, the Board of Selectmen would then enter into casino impact mitigation negotiations. From the standpoint of the Commission, if the casino goes in, the potential benefit of the interconnection to our system and our ratepayers is too good of an opportunity to pass up. Our guests thanked the Commission for their time and for providing an understanding of the thought process behind their decision and departed.
Accept the Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Joe to accept the July 17, 2013 meeting minutes, motion seconded by Paul. Motion passed unanimously.
Mechanic Street ~ Tata & Howard (T&H) is requesting an amendment to the engineering services agreement for the Mechanic Street Water Main project. Craig had a long conversation with Don Tata about this project which started in 2009, design was completed in 2012 and construction started in 2013. Based on the timeline between the original proposal and the start of construction, their fee structure has been revised resulting in increased billing rates, and an increase of $2,600. The original fee proposal included a budgetary estimate of $1,000 for survey and $750 for structural design, the actual fees for survey and structural design increased $400, and structural design $636. Additionally, printing costs and advertisement of the project in the Republican were not originally included in
the fee proposal and were $316 and $1,287 respectively. With the $5,240 proposed amendment, the total cost of the project would remain within the estimated grant amount as approved by Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The Commission agreed to the amendment by signing and returning an executed copy to T&H.
The start date has been moved out from Friday to Monday as a result of one missing part (the Teflon saddle which supports the pipe on the steel beam).
Department Activity
Sewer Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) ~ Testing and Sealing began last week and will continue the next few weeks.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 6:30p.m.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Paul and seconded by Joe to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
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Paul C. DeMaio, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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