Commissioners Present: Paul C. DeMaio Chairman, Joseph M. Prior Vice Chairman, Marshall L. Harris Clerk
Employees Present: Superintendent: Craig W. Jalbert; Secretary: Dale Barnes-Johnson
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m.
Guest: Evan Bassard, Town Administrator
Wireless Phones: Town Administrator Evan Bassard briefly joined the meeting to discuss concerns regarding the Commission’s plan to provide cell phone service to the on-call personnel of the Water & Sewer Department. Because the cell service will be considered town owned and there is to be minimal personal use per the current cell phone policy; any minutes of overage will cause complications in regard to cost and who may be responsible. Secondly, if the service is town owned and the device is privately owned who is responsible for equipment upgrades? Thirdly, there is a possibility that the Town could be held liable for any nefarious activity undertaken with a Town owned phone.
The alternative would be to offer a ‘stipend’ (such as $30 per month) to the employee if they are required to have a cell phone for on-call situations and want to keep their personal service and use it for business vs. carrying around a separate town phone. If this is the case, Evan would write out details in a policy which would include that the employee must keep account current, if not the stipend is discontinued, and if damaged at work, an amount will be put forward towards replacement. W&S Department employees need to be available 24/7. The Commission is agreeable to the changes as outlined by Evan regarding the cell phones and thanked him for his time as he departed.
Accept the Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by Joe to accept the meeting minutes of June 4, 2014 and June 17, 2014, motion was seconded by Marty. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS
Sewer Jetter Purchase ~ order has been placed with a few modifications, the tank will not be baffled, it will be a one piece polyethylene tank, which will be inexpensive if it needs to be replaced in future years, additional modifications were made to the control panel options; adding electronic engine speed and water bypass valve control. Total came to $49,359.73 – budgeted $52,000.00. Delivery is expected in three months; the old jetter will become surplus property and will be auctioned to the highest bidder.
Sewer Pipeline Video Inspection System Purchase ~ camera has been purchased and is in house. Total cost came to $9,923 – budgeted $10,000. Craig gave a demonstration to the Commission.
Hospital Road Pump Station Exterior Repairs ~ waiting on Top Notch Renovations DBA Ronald Fussell’s schedule.
Hospital Road Pump Station Rehab Project ~ Craig met with Tata and Howard (T&H) July 15th to discuss scope, and then met with the Electrical Engineer July 30th, the original scope included replacement of the existing interior piping and valves, replacement of the existing Venturi flow tube with a magnetic flow meter, and a pump connection to by-pass the station when work is being done, and for emergencies, however the project is expanding as we continue to think of items that need to be addressed due to the age of the building (35 years old). The VFD touch pads continue to give us trouble and they are not available anymore (we did pick up a spare on E-Bay) so the replacement of the VFD’s is a priority. However, it’s not as easy as buying new drives and installing
them in the old panel. New codes would not allow that and/or we would void any warranties that we would have. Craig suggested to the Commission that because of these circumstances maybe now is the time to consider expanding the scope to include replacement of the 35 year old electronics that control the daily operation of the station. Craig then proposed we consider: replacing the motor control center (MCC) cabinet, wet well level control system (bubbler) and automatic transfer switch (ATS). Other maintenance items include addressing concrete spalling issues on the wet well side, stair railings should be replaced with aluminum/fiberglass and the sewage pumps should be refurbished. The Commission agreed now would be the
time to tackle all the issues as there is not another station we can rely on. Another option would be installing programmable logic controller (PLC) like the water stations which would give us the future capability of monitoring from the office. The sewer rate is incredibly low, there is approximately $495,000 in reserves, and no current bond payments, obviously some funds need to be kept for emergencies, some funds could be used to pay for improvements and the balance bonded. T&H will come up with a proposal and prices for evaluation.
Cleaning Rehab of Bethany Road Well ~ postponed until October due to Bunyan Well #1 pump/motor issues. Maher Services had to come out and replace the motor, the thrust bearing failed causing a high current draw. A new Franklin 50HP Submersible motor was installed; the well was chlorinated, flushed, bacteria tested and is back on line. The bill came to $6,500.
Lead & Copper Testing ~ testing will take place the end of the month, the list of participants is being finalized; so far there has been one decline. Craig will touch base with the rest tomorrow.
Job Descriptions/Salary Survey ~ the BOS are meeting Tuesday night to discuss the salary survey. The last survey was done in 2000 and it was difficult as there are not many combined Water & Sewer Departments in the state to compare us too. Back in May Dale e-mailed Town Administrator Evan Brassard that her current job description does not accurately describe the level of work, degree of complexity and accountability of duties and responsibilities performed in the position. Before the survey takes place, current job descriptions will be reviewed. Craig would like the W&S Maintenance Man position retitled to Certified Operator with the training involved.
Department Activity
Sampling ~ Nitrate/Nitrite testing results were normal; Sodium levels were consistent with our history and the fact we add Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash) to adjust the water pH. Levels were from 70mg/L to 35mg/L.
MDC Hydrant Evaluation ~ several dirty water complaints were received at the office as a result of a DCAM subcontractor opening one of our hydrants vs. MDC’s.
MDC Sewer ~ sewer connection has been plugged with hydraulic cement at the MDC outfall and we have also installed a removable plug in our manhole on Hospital Road so the MDC connection is no longer functioning, thus ending station visits and sewer charges.
New Town Office and Police Department Building ~ the 6” water main has been pressure and bacteria tested. The existing sewer service line to 110 Main St. was cleaned and camera inspected by PDS. Line is ok to reuse if the slope of pipe meets the architects requirements.
Water / Sewer Repairs ~ Installed new 2” ball valve to control flow to Whitney Ave. and replaced service at 3 Whitney Ave (Srv #0949) with the assistance of Excavation Plus, Inc. Leak at 7 Flynt Ave (Srv # 0381) was repaired main to property line; excavator was Tom Gregoire.
Easement Clearing ~ Craig met with Paul Hatch regarding the Park Road 8” line that serviced the old dormitory, Dr. Roger’s Field and 26 Park Road (Bob Fays old house). Paul informed Craig the church has no available funds to pay for half of a survey or for clearing. Craig wants to clear the brush from the water main path because if a break were to occur, repairs will need to be made. The Commission agreed the cheapest alternative is to maintain the water main right of way.
Parco Relieve Valve Maintenance ~ Brad Small came out today to provide the routine service on the Parco valves and the pressure relief valves at the Bunyan, Bethany and Palmer Road stations.
Hydrant Flushing ~ preparations for the water flushing program that will take place throughout September during the day and evening hours will begin, valves and gates need to be exercised and marked.
Road Projects ~ Margaret Street and Wales Road will be repaved shortly. Services on Washington Street still need to be done.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been set for Wednesday, August 27, 2014.
ADJOURN: A motion was made by Paul and seconded by Joe to adjourn at 5:15 p.m. Motion passed unanimously.
___________________________________
Marshall L. Harris, Clerk
cc: Selectmen
| 
