Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners
Senior Center Conference Room
Thursday, July 17, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Present: Co-Chairs Moe Barocas &; Celeste Makely, Julia Willecke
Absent: Emily Beebe
Also Present: Arlene Kirsch and Patricia Foley of FinCom, and Fire Chief Daniel Silverman
Co-Chair Moe Barocas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Two members of the Finance Committee were present to gather information for their July 24meeting on water and wastewater issues. They had concerns about the planning phase of the water expansion. Their issues were about financing the project for getting a second opinion from an independent agency.
Barocas said that the Water Commissioners were trying to prepare a Warrant Article for Town Meeting at this time. Celeste Makely asked why the Finance Committee members waited until now to express their objections. Barocas reminded everyone that the 2007 Town Meeting Article to design the system had received an overwhelming approval.
Fire Chief Daniel Silverman outlined the advantages of moving ahead. This is important for fire protection because it will provide pressurized fire hydrants and improve the poor insurance rating of the Town. Silverman discussed water systems in other towns. Mainly Eastham, Wellfleet and South Truro are the Cape areas that do not have water systems.
Barocas spoke about the changing environment and changing needs of the Town. There was discussion of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and their role as proponents of water expansion. Kirsch recounted the history of attempts to extend the water system. Barocas enumerated the requests for water connections. Kirsch related her own housing situation and felt that hydrant fees would be something she could ill afford. Barocas disagreed and said the insurance premium would more than offset the hydrant fee. The Board discussed filtration systems.
Makely strongly objected to having another consultant be hired. BWC requested that FinCom submit their questions in writing on the system prior to FinCom’s July 24 meeting on water and wastewater. Barocas suggested emailing the concerns in advance.
There was further discussion on creating an adequate system, the right of everyone to have good drinking water, preparing for Town Meeting presentation of a water expansion Article, gaining a constituency of supporters for the water system, costs of hook-ups, and available low interest financing.
Work Session Report
Paul Sieloff attended the work session Monday night, July 14, 2008. Sieloff discussed hydrant fees with the Board. BWC looked at savings on insurance and the cost to homeowners. The hydrant fee would help cover system costs, but a fee has not been set. Fees could be based on assessment of houses, something Moe Barocas will look into. Also at the work session the Board had discussed funding sources for the water system.
Meeting with DEP
Moe Barocas and Julie Willecke will be attending a meeting at DEP July 18, 2008 regarding the Bookstore Restaurant. Barocas said he anticipates a double plumbing proposal from East Cape Engineering. The Bookstore was also considering waterless urinals, which would not affect the Wellfleet Water System or BWC decision making.
Agenda Action List
The actions generated from the July 3, 2008 meeting were reviewed as completed or items for continuation.
Minutes of 7/3/08
Barocas moved to approve the minutes of July 3, 2008. Makely seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Other Business
Dan Silverman said the large map of the water system that came from Conservation and did not cover the entire route. Silverman would like to see that in large scale, he said.
Dan Silverman discussed consent orders and the DEP. He also had thoughts on Town Meeting resistance to DEP orders.
Pat Foley had questions about flushing at the end of the line at Mayo Beach and water needs at the Bookstore Restaurant.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________ __________________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Moe Barocas, Co-Chair
__________________________
Date
The Board of Water Commissioners approved these minutes at the meeting held 8/7/08.
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