Board of Commissioners Meeting
November 19, 2015
Sunapee Town Offices
PRESENT: Theodore Gallup-Chairman, Peter Hill, David Cain, J. Anthony Bergeron, Paul Manson, Kurt Markarian.
Also present: Holly Leonard, David Bailey, Neil Cheseldine.
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.
Forms for Signing:
October 29, 2015 Meeting Minutes: Paul M. made a motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Anthony B., after some discussion, voted unanimously in favor, so declared by the Chairman.
October Sewer Purchase Journal: Anthony B. made a motion to approve the Journal, seconded by David C., voted unanimously in favor, so declared by the Chairman.
October Water Purchase Journal: David C. made a motion to accept the Water Purchase Journal as written, seconded by Anthony B., voted unanimously in favor, so declared by the Chairman.
LAS 28B and RIR 34 Abatement Requests: After Holly L. explained the billing errors on the two accounts, David C. made a motion to accept the abatement requests for 34 River Road and 28B Lake Avenue, seconded by Paul M., voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
SFR 99 Abatement Request: David C. made a motion to accept the abatement as requested, seconded by Peter H., voted 3 in favor, 2 abstained, the motion passes in the majority, so declared by the Chairman.
Water Treatment Highlights:
Dave B. reported that A/D Instruments has adjusted the flow meters at the water treatment plants to register lower flows, so that the plants can function correctly during these extremely low flow times of year. After some discussion, Dave B. stated that hydrants have been flushed and that they are ready for winter. He also reported ththat the bridge crossing is all done. There was some discussion regarding letting the water out of the lake and replacing the racks at River Road. Dave B. stated that he had drilled a hole in the intake pipe and had taken pictures of it. He stated that it looks great inside and at the joints is the only place that has any tuberculation. There was some discussion about the crack being on the bell of a joint where there is some lettering on the pipe, and how it could be
repaired.
Old & New Business: Dave B. reported that he had left a message with the person that DES had suggested for eradication of the phragmites on the treatment plant property to get on the schedule and get some better numbers for how much getting rid of the invasive species would cost. There was much discussion regarding the cost and when the process would begin. Anthony B. made a motion to put forward a special warrant article of $50,000 to get rid of the weed problem, seconded by Paul M., after much discussion regarding the reed bed idea, voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
Wastewater Treatment Highlights: Dave B. reported that the plant has been running fine and that he had checked the alarms last week and they all work.
EPA Administrative Complaint Notice:
There was some discussion regarding the proposed settlement offered by EPA in the most recent letter, Dave C. stated that it appears that taking the settlement offered is the least amount that will probably come of the issue. Theodore G. stated that it seems that the only question is who can be accountable financially for the violation and if the contractor or the engineer could help with the fine as they had been involved in cutting the wires to the alarms. Neil C. stated that the engineers did not know there was any alarm in the sludge holding tanks as these were not included in any of the plant schematics. He stated that the contractor should have done a request for information to the engineer when they ran into the wire to have the engineer look into what it was for. Neil C. stated that the
electrician claims that they came upon the wire and asked Franz Vail and Terry Voisine the superintendent about it, but neither Terry nor Franz remembers them doing so. Theodore G. questioned if there is any way for recourse against the contractor to help pay the fine. Paul M. stated that the contractor’s insurance should cover some of the $15,000 fine. After much discussion regarding who was responsible for the three events in question. David C. stated that he thinks legal counsel should be consulted to see how much they might charge to represent the town against EPA. Paul M. made a motion to allow Dave B. and Donna N. to accept the fine in the amount of $15,000 from EPA, seconded by Kurt M., after some discussion regarding how long until the fine needs to be paid, and if EPA would allow the investment of $15,000 into alarms at the treatment plant as a response to the fine, voted 5 in favor, 1 opposed, the motion passes in the majority, so declared by the Chairman.
The next meeting will be held December 17th.
6:40 p.m. Kurt M. made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Paul M., voted unanimously in the affirmative, so declared by the Chairman.
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