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
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
Accept the Meeting Minutes: Postponed until the January 22, 2014 meeting minutes are ready.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
FY2015 Budgets
Water – the Commission went through the adjustments made to line items. Pumping is down so electricity (- $5,000) and corrosion control (-$2,000) were decreased. Increased items included GIS Hosting (+$1,250) and Computer Backup Services (+$402). To help balance the rise of the indirect costs (+$22,000), other reductions include contractors systems (-$4,000), consulting services (-$5,000) the change in phone coverage allowed telephone to be reduced by (-$340). Water Retained Earnings was increased from $42,000 to $45,045 and will help negate the other necessary increases. No rate adjustment will be required to meet our proposed budget.
Sewer – the telephone line item was decreased (-$230), additions included GIS Hosting (+$1,250) and Computer Backup Services (+$268) and indirect costs (+$16,000). Estimated revenue has dropped and unfortunately with the increases we just discussed a conservative Sewer Rate increase will be necessary. We have lost commercial businesses and the non-labor Sewer expense line items are as low they can be and have been for several years.
Capital Projects – Craig is in the process of getting pricing for the Bethany Road Well Cleaning, a replacement Sewer Jetter, Sewer Station pump room work, and exterior repairs at the Hospital Road Pump Station. Joe Lavin from R.H. White came out to look at the valve replacement work. He pointed out we have bigger problems than the old valves. Sections of the piping in the valve room are starting to corrode from the inside out and it is especially evident near the pipe flanges. He explained this is typical of wastewater pump stations of similar age and the solution is pretty straight forward. However, it will not be a small project. A bypass tap will have to be installed; temporary bypass pumps will be needed so the station can operate while the piping and valves are replaced. This will not be a $30-40,000 job. Craig has set up an appointment for the wastewater engineer from Tata & Howard to look at the station and we can then decide how we want to proceed. Fortunately, the
Commission in the past had the foresight to set aside funds for this type of contingency.
The Commission approved the Water & Sewer budgets as discussed. Rates will be officially set at the next meeting.
Department Activity
Annual Statistical Report ~is done
Tree Work at Palmer Road ~ is done
System Award Management (SAM) registration ~ Dale completed the registration process. Validations between the Internal Revenue Service, Defense Logistics Agency and Government Entity (CAGE) Code system makes us eligible for contracts, assistance awards, and to do business with the federal government as determined by our Entity’s profile.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 6:30p.m.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Paul and seconded by Joe to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
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Paul C. DeMaio, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
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