Board of Commissioners Meeting
August 30, 2012
Sunapee Town Offices
PRESENT: Theodore Gallup-Chairman, David Cain, Charles Smith, Kenneth Meyer, Paul Manson.
Also present: Holly Leonard, David Bailey, Van Webb, Peter Kraeger, Neil Cheseldine.
ABSENT: Peter Hill, Kurt Markarian.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m.
Forms for Signing:
June 28, 2012 Meeting Minutes: Kenneth M. made a motion to accept meeting minutes as written, seconded by Charles S., voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
August 13, 2012 Meeting Minutes: David C. made a motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Kenneth M., voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
June 2012 Sewer Purchase Journal: David C. made a motion to accept the Sewer purchase journal, seconded by Kurt M., voted 4 in favor, 1 abstained, passes in the majority, so declared by the Chairman.
July 2012 Sewer Purchase Journal: David C. made a motion to accept the July Sewer purchase journal as written, seconded by Kenneth M., voted 4 in favor, 1 abstained, passes in the majority, so declared by the Chairman.
June 2012 Water Purchase Journal: Kenneth M. made a motion to accept the Water Purchase journal, seconded by Charles S., voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
July 2012 Sewer Purchase Journal: Kenneth M. made a motion to accept the July Water purchase journal as presented, seconded by Charles S., voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
R11GM 1250 Abatement Request: David C. made a motion to accept the abatement request, seconded by Paul M., after some discussion regarding the property and the wate ruse, David C. made a motion to charge for one unit, there was no second. After more discussion regarding the property, Paul M. made a motion to amend the motion to grant the abatement for the sewer use fees only, seconded by David C., voted unanimously in favor of the amendment, voted unanimously in favor of the motion as amended, so declared by the Chairman.
Public Comments:
The Chairman addressed Van W. and Peter K. and Peter K. introduced that he lives at 31 Rocky Road and that he had attached to the town sewer last year and that he has 6 bedrooms in the main house and another small one bedroom house on the property. Peter K. would propose being considered for an abatement on the second unit being billed for as the cottage is seldom used. There was some discussion regarding the house and the number of bedrooms as well as how many seasonal properties are in Sunapee. The Commission suggested that Peter K. have the assessors revise the number of bedrooms and then come forward with a request for abatement on the property.
Van W. approached the table showing the Sunapee wetland and aquifer maps. There was some discussion regarding the aquifer map. Van W. stated that the Conservation Commission is moving forward with the Wendell Marsh conservation project. The MRT parcel would be included and added to the Treatment Plant lot to allow for future growth needs at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. There was some discussion regarding the ownership of the parcels in question. Van W. would propose that the Water & Sewer Commission offer some financial support or at least just support for the conservation easement proposal with the addition that the Town would have rights to utilize the wells on the property as a potential source for municipal water in the future.
David C. made a motion to give full support to the Wendell Marsh Conservation project, seconded by Kenneth M., voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade:
The Chairman stated that there had been some issues that arose at the Construction Meeting this afternoon having to do with the land disturbance bond being required by the Town, and that the Commission can vote to take the responsibility for any land disturbance problems which may arise from the project. Paul M. made a motion to allow the Water and Sewer Department to correct any land disturbance issues that may arise and are not corrected or addressed by the contractor, seconded by Kenneth M., voted unanimously in favor, so declared by the Chairman.
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Highlights: Dave B. reported that the plant has been running pretty well, and that ditch 1 had to be drained for the construction to continue on. There had been much sludge hauled in order to do the draining process. There was some discussion regarding reconfiguring the piping from the ditch to make this process easier. Neil C. explained why there was a problem with pumping out of the ditches. There was some discussion regarding grit build up in the ditch and the direction that the flow comes into the ditch. Dave B. questioned a seal coating on the ditch while it is being worked on. Neil C. stated that concrete sealants are expensive and not included in the contract.
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Contractor Pay Requisition #2:
Neil C. presented the second pay requisition from Penta Corp. for the Upgrade Construction project in the amount of $73,106.10 and explained the process for getting the funds from all parties. David C. made a motion to have Theodore G. sign the pay requisition, seconded by Kenneth M., voted unanimously in favor.
Neil C. passed out construction meeting notes to all of the Commissioners.
Dave B. stated that the construction work is going well and much is getting accomplished. Kenneth M. stated that he thinks there is a risk during a possible winter shutdown of the construction, and that perhaps there should be no shut down allowed. There was some discussion regarding what risks there could be and how far behind a shutdown would put the upgrade. Neil C. would advise doing a full shutdown instead of having the contractor do a small amount of work over the winter months. There was much discussion regarding the completion of the project and how much the contractor can get done in the colder months. There was some discussion regarding compensation for the Town if there is a shutdown allowed.
There was some discussion regarding the timing of the Perkins Pond project and possible interference with the Upgrade project.
- Intertown Agreement Revisions: There was some discussion regarding the Attorney General’s suggested changes and having another joint meeting with New London, the Sunapee Selectmen and the Commission to approve these changes.
- Water Treatment Highlights: Dave B. stated that Scott Kelley was interested in doing another presentation on water tank maintenance for the Commission. Dave B. stated that Scott K. also does ice pigging and the he is interested in getting a demonstration on how this works, to possibly pig the water line on 103B. There was some discussion regarding the process, the possible cost and what the results would be.
Dave B. reported that they had changed a hydrant on Garnet Street last month and that this month there had been a leak on Lower Main Street that had needed to be fixed. The department had to replace the entire pipe that is in the Sugar River under the bridge on Lower Main Street. There was some discussion regarding the leak and issues with the repair. Dave B. reported that the Department had raised the curb stops and manholes on School Street in order for the Highway Department to repave it.
Water Intake Pipe Replacement: Dave B. reported that he had spoken with Terry Welch regarding hiring an engineer for the project, and that Terry had called DES and didn’t get anywhere with them. Terry W. has some ideas for things that he and Dave B. can do to save on the engineering costs. There was some discussion regarding the engineering for the intake pipe replacement and if Wright-Pierce could possibly do this. Neil C. passed out a draft proposal for the engineering of the intake pipe replacement and discussed pipe sizing and pumps. There was some discussion regarding the cost of the engineering and the scope of engineering. There was much discussion regarding the intake and the possibility that the public would have issues with the aesthetics of a new pipe.
7:35 p.m. David C. made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Paul M., voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
Submitted by Holly Leonard.
Approved by the Water & Sewer Commission this ______ day of __________________, 2012.
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Theodore Gallup-Chairman Kurt Markarian
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David Cain Peter Hill
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Kenneth Meyer Charles Smith
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Paul Manson
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