Board of Commissioners Meeting
August 19, 2010
Sunapee Town Offices
PRESENT: Theodore Gallup-Chairman, David Cain, Paul Manson, Peter Hill, David Montambeault.
Also present: Holly Leonard, David Bailey, W.E. Austin, Simone Robinson, Scott Swain.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
The Chairman addressed the residents in attendance and invited them to speak to the Commission regarding their reason for attending. W.E. A. stated that William A. had spoken with Dave B. and had thought that the leak had been repaired and that this would be fine with the Commission, then they had received the letter stating that the abatement stipulations had not been met and that they had intended to proceed with the remainder of the repairs before the discussion with Dave B. regarding the issue. Dave B. stated that he had spoken with William A. and had told him that he did not have a problem with the meter remaining at the curb on Winn Hill. There was some discussion regarding the issues with the meters and that one of the meters at the houses needs to be removed as it is
making too much noise and that the meter at Winn Hill would be used for billing purposes for the 2 homes. There was some discussion regarding what parts of the line had been replaced and what had not. Theodore G. stated that the Commission had requested that the entire line be replaced prior to the abatement being grated. There was some discussion regarding what easements allow and what the Commission had decided. Paul M. questioned what Mr. Austin is asking of the Commission, W.E. A. stated that 2/3 of the water line has been replaced and that they do not want to have to replace the entire line as there is no leak currently. There was some discussion regarding what type of line had been used to replace the old line and what material the old line had been. David M. stated that he thinks that he was in error when voting for the entire line to be replaced as if there is no leak there is no legal right to dig in the easement under the neighbors’ driveway. David C. stated that it
was an old line with a history of leaks and that it needs to be replaced. There was much discussion regarding where the water was leaking from and what the neighbor’s septic tank had flooded due to. W.E. A. stated that they have 300 feet of new line ready to replace the line if it leaks. There was some discussion regarding the conditions when the digging had occurred and what had happened. There was some discussion regarding the abatements and what can be done with the issue. W.E. A. will have to fill out new requests for the Commission to consider. David M. feels that asking the Austins to replace the entire line was not legal. There was some discussion regarding legalities of easements and what they allow for. David C. stated that the abatement was worded the way it was because the Commission wanted to solve the entire issue, not wait a few more years for there to be another leak. There was some discussion regarding why the board needs to be careful with leaks for all
customers on the system and what had occurred with other similar issues. Paul M. told Mr. Austin to fill out a new abatement form for 2009 and bring it to the next Commission meeting for discussion. Theodore G. stated that the next time when or if the Commission alerts them to a leak something needs to be done immediately.
Forms for Signing:
July 29, 2010 Meeting Minutes: David M. made a motion to accept the July 29, 2010 meeting minutes as printed, seconded by Paul M., voted unanimously in favor, so declared by the Chairman.
July 2010 Sewer Purchase Journal: David M. made a motion to accept the sewer purchase journal as printed, seconded by David C., after some discussion regarding S&N aeroflow and Huberts, voted unanimously in favor, so declared by the Chairman.
July 2010 Water Purchase Journal: David M. made a motion to accept the July 2010 water purchase journal as printed, seconded by David C., after some discussion regarding overtime and summer water lines, voted unanimously in favor, so declared by the Chairman.
Water Treatment Highlights: Dave B. reported that he had received a quote from Bryan Locke for coating the concrete tank and that he is expecting other quotes to do similar repairing of the tank. There was some discussion regarding what “clean, prep and water blast” involves and if there was any warranty on the sealing of the tank.
Dave B. that Gregg Kelley had repaired the bulkhead at the storage tank and that it looks much better.
Dave B. reported that he had contacted several painters to do the painting of the trim at River Road and that he would be going with the quote for $2,800 for doing the job.
Dave B. reported that he had received a quote for a new chlorine analyzer to install before the contact chamber and that the cost was approximately $4,000, he requested that the Commission utilize replacement funds for this expenditure as the water budget is looking fairly tight for 2010. There was some discussion regarding if this actually qualifies as a replacement item and how much money is in the replacement fund. Paul M. made a motion to utilize up to $4,000 from the replacement fund to purchase a new chlorine analyzer for Harbor Hill, seconded by Peter H., after some discussion regarding replacement fund purchases, voted 4 in favor, 1 opposed, passes in the majority, so declared by the Chairman.
Wastewater Treatment Highlights: Dave B. reported that he had floats installed in the clarifiers that are rather sensitive and that he is going to receive a quote from A/D instruments for installing mag meters on both clarifiers, which he believes will work much better than the floats.
Dave B. reported that there had been a spill over on Friday the 6th and Saturday the 7th, he reported that this was due to wads of rags plugging the pipe in the clarifier. There was much discussion regarding rags and the issues that they cause at the plant, and the next step for an upgrade at the plant perhaps starting with headworks and clarifiers. There was some discussion regarding dewatering and if it will save money and that it should have been a separate warrant article in case the whole upgrade failed to pass. There was some discussion regarding the pipe configuration of the clarifiers and if it needs to be refigured. There was much discussion regarding grease and what happens with it after it is skimmed off. There was some discussion regarding getting quotes from Lakeside
and some other companies for rebuilding the clarifiers.
Old & New Business:
Theodore G. stated that the Commission should be considering what to do with the R11S abatements that may be coming for the next meeting. There was much discussion regarding the issue and easements.
GEXA Commercial Energy Sales contract: After some discussion regarding the contract and how this company is able to offer such discounts, Paul M. made a motion to accept the Town’s decision for electric purchases at a lower rate, seconded by Peter H., voted unanimously in favor, so declared by the Chairman.
7:30 p.m. Paul M. made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Peter H., voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
Submitted by Holly Leonard.
Approved by the Water & Sewer Commission this ______ day of __________________, 2010.
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Theodore Gallup-Chairman David Montambeault
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David Cain Peter Hill
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Kurt Markarian Christopher Leonard
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Paul Manson
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