Commissioners Present: Douglas R. North Chairman, Joseph M. Prior Vice Chairman
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: A motion was made by Joe to accept the meeting minutes of March 19, 2014 motion seconded by Doug. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
FY2015 Budgets ~ The Board of Selectmen approved a 3% COLA for Department Heads, a 2% was calculated for budget purposes, there is also a tentative agreement with the ASFCME Union. Adjustments to the budgets to cover the contractual agreements will be required since the water and sewer rates have already been set. The Retained Earnings to be appropriated will be adjusted to ensure the budget will be balanced. If the revenue exceeds expectations, the surplus will go back into the Enterprise Funds. The Commission agreed to this methodology.
Capital Projects ~ article costs due Friday, March 28, 2014:
- Bethany Road Well cleaning/rehab = $14,000
- Storage Building, Architect Larry Tuttle provided projected rough budgetary figures for a 30 x 30 butler building with a foundation, 2 overhead doors and 1 man door, oil water separator and separate electric service inside and a propane unit heater, all work assumed at prevailing wage rates. Total estimated cost is $117,000. In the meantime, Craig spoke with Tim Pascale about the possibility of combining efforts with the Park & Rec Dept. to save on overall square footage cost which is estimated to be $182,000 for a 60 x 30 building. As for location, the BOS are hesitant to build anything at Hillside as it is school owned and there is not enough room at 110 Main Street. Discussion took place regarding moving forward with the article, $117,000 or half of $182,000. The Commission
agreed to put forward the $117,000, to allow us to move forward on our own if the joined option becomes impossible, because it is a dual purpose building it should be split between Water and Sewer $58,500 each, Dale will talk with the Finance Director about how to proceed with the articles, due to this oversight.
- Sewer Jetter = $52,000
- Pipeline Video Inspection System = $10,000
- Exterior repairs at Hospital Road Pump Station = $10,000 for siding on end gables, gutters and repaint block.
- Hospital Road Station Pump Room Rehab Project = $40,000 to go towards engineering services that will move the project to a bid ready condition (evaluate options, develop a scope of work, prepare project drawings and bid documents). A request at the Fall Town Meeting would then be made for the construction cost of the project.
Department Activity
Meter Reading ~ meter reading has been completed, bills will go out mid-April and will include the CCR.
Duct Cleaning ~ preparations for Dustbusters Duct Cleaning, turned into a four day project, all plywood and materials were removed from duct work upstairs, after ducts were cleaned, the storage area was rebuilt and inventory reorganized.
Backflow Prevention Devices ~ in preparation of retesting letters have been sent to owners of existing backflow prevention devices informing them of current regulations and responsibilities regarding cross-connection control in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the database updated.
Worcester Training ~ Craig and Tom attended the 2014 Spring Joint Regional Conference & Exhibition, both when to the Distribution I – Distribution & Storage (DWT-2014-14), Distribution II (DWT-2014-18) for 2 TCH’s each.
MA Hoisting License ~ Tom, Jan-Michael and Tony attended a MA 1C/CA Hoisting License Preparation Training in Greenfield as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety (DPS). DOT Physicals have also been completed for said employees. Exam applications have been filed with the Commonwealth, date of exam is unknown.
Generator Maintenance ~ Kinsley Power performed the Yearly Maintenance; we are good to go.
Chlorinator ~ injector quills have been clogging up. Craig spoke with the manufacturer regarding a chlorine tank modification that will dilute the solution and should keep the quill from clogging.
Water Leak ~ 10 Park Avenue on customer property. Service was replaced from the curb to house.
Hydrant Damage ~ Sunday, April 6, 2014 at the corner of Cedar Swamp and Stafford Road a hydrant was damaged by a traffic accident. The situation was temporarily stabilized Sunday until repairs could take place the following day. A claim will be filed once all paperwork and bills are compiled.
Valve Replacement ~ a 4” valve (installed 1959) located at the intersection of Main and Maple was used while shutting off water to facilitate replacing the damaged hydrant. Valve was in terrible condition and leaking badly so the Craig decided to replace it prior to that section being re-paved.
New Services ~ water and sewer services from curb to house for lot 36 & 37 Heritage Lane are complete.
Road Projects ~ repaving will be taking place on the South end of town from the CT line to King Avenue, which is contrary to the documentation we received last fall. Craig will continue preparations on Route 32 from Chestnut to the Carwash in the event the State changes its mind again.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 6:30p.m.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Paul and seconded by Joe to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
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Joseph M. Prior Vice Chairman
cc: Selectmen
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