Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners
Town Hall Conference Room
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Present: Emily Beebe & Steven Gazzano, Co-Chairs; Jean Schaefer, Lori Vanderschmidt, Dan Wexman
Also Attending: Town Administrator Paul Sieloff, Town Accountant Marilyn Crary, Administrative, Administrative Assistant Michaela Miteva, Water Administrative Assistant Mary Fisk
Co-Chair Emily Beebe called the meeting at 6:33 p.m.
Cumberland Farms Connection
John Marth of Cumberland Farms and Reggie Donahue of Coastal Engineering explained the proposed expansion of Cumberland Farms on Rte. 6. They were seeking a connection to the water system through an additional water main from Cahoon Hollow Rd down the shoulder of Rte. 6 to the Cumberland Farms property. They have been working with Environmental Partners on engineering design. Lyle Butts, the abutter to the south of the Cumberland Farms property, arrived to express his interest in also connecting to the line depending upon the economics involved. The Cumberland Farms representative gave the time frame for the project which would begin in the fall. The Board asked about the proximity of the property to the zone of protection around the Boy Scout well site.
Steve Gazzano made a motion that the Board of Selectmen request that Cumberland Farms make use of the tire air machine available for free to the community. Beebe seconded, and the motion carried 4-1.
Water Tower
Fire Chief Daniel Silverman explained the proposal to put a radio communication system inside the water tower with connections to outside antennas.1 This would service four towns, including Wellfleet. The antennas will clamp to the outside rails of the tank. Two channels would be licensed, one for the Fire Department and one for emergency broadcasting, he said. The cost is covered by the Fire Department through a grant. There will be a payment every year from the Town General Fund to the Enterprise Fund for the continued use of the tank, according to Paul Sieloff. Chief Silverman said that a Town public safety facility should not have to pay for the service. The Board will get estimates of municipal rates for use of the tanks in other towns.
Lori Vanderschmidt moved to approve the use of the tank for the Fire Department communication system. Schaefer seconded. There was further discussion of the financial arrangement. The motion carried 5-0.
Beebe moved to send a letter to the Fire Department stating the approval. Schaefer seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Billing & Finances
Jean Schaefer reviewed the financial summary that she had distributed at the last meeting. She reported on the surplus earnings that Mark Abrahams projected for the end of Fiscal Year 2011. Marilyn Crary gave the expenditures from the operating budget for the end of FY11. Mr. Abrahams recommended building up the entire fund balance by the end of the fiscal year in order to avoid going to Town Meeting for a subsidy for Fiscal Year 2012. However, Schaefer explained that the Fiscal Year 12 Budget could be revisited at a Fall Special Town Meeting or 2012 Annual Town Meeting if needed. Marilyn Crary said that the tax rate is set before Fall Town Meeting, so the budget could not change at that time. Paul Sieloff commented on the importance of increasing the Enterprise Fund revenue. There is also a sum
coming into the Enterprise Fund from DPW, but there is money owed from an insurance claim.
The Board discussed continuing expansion with connections for the small streets and the possibility of taking out a loan in order to go forward. There is also the possibility of getting USDA grant money for expansion. Beebe reminded the Board that the design phase for the small streets has already been completed. The Board discussed which route to pursue in order to take advantage of current USDA money and to meet existing needs.
Gazzano moved to bring a change order to the Selectmen to add, beginning at Holbrook Ave., Chequessett Neck Road to Cross Street and create a loop over Cross Street to West Main Street. Wexman seconded. The Board discussed going back to USDA for money to add the other small streets that had been planned. The motion to create the Chequessett Neck Rd. – Cross St. loop carried 4-0-1.
Steve Gazzano said he would follow up with Paul Millett on pursuing remaining USDA grant money.
Candace Perry and Charles Thibodeau were present, and the Board advised them that they should plan on their water connection.
Water Connection for Whit’s Lane
Jay Horowitz said his client would not be purchasing the property on Whit’s Lane that he had been interested in connecting to the water system as previously discussed.
Operations Position
Steve Gazzano introduced Michaela Miteva, who informed the Board of her educational and professional background. Gazzano had composed a job description for the operations management position. The Board recommended that she get some hands on experience with the Board members, WhiteWater and Mary Fisk.
Beebe moved to hire Michaela Miteva as Municipal Water Operations Management Leader. Gazzano seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Policy for Non-Abutter Connections
The Board examined a draft policy for connecting non-abutters to the system.2 Dan Wexman said there were five non-abutting property owners who were interested in getting connected to the water system. The policy is meant to be a guidance document for other boards and committees as well as for the property owners.
Schaefer moved to accept the policy for non-abutter connections as written. Beebe seconded, and the motion carried 4-0-1.
Wexman will contact the non-abutters who had requested connections. He will inform them of EPG’s design for their streets and suggest a process whereby the property owners mutually share the cost of placing mains on their streets.
Bound Brook Island Rd. Connection
Michaela Miteva said she had talked to the owner of 1050 Boundbrook Island Rd. (Map 7, Parcel 47). She will contact their abutter about an easement over their property for the water connection to 1050 Boundbrook Island Rd.
Minutes of 5/17/ 11 and 5/24/11
Wexman moved to approve the amended minutes of May 17, 2011. Beebe seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Wexman moved to approve the minutes of May 24, 2011. Schaefer seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
Mail
The Board discussed a June 6, 2011 e-mail3 from Denice Lapierre on behalf of Chris Merl of 55 White Tail Lane. Michaela Miteva will contact the parties involved.
Other Business
Mary Fisk reported on the Callis property. She anticipates a request that has not yet been received.
The Board reviewed the draft of the 2010 WhiteWater Consumer Confidence Report4 and made corrections and suggestions. Mary Fisk will proofread further and contact WhiteWater.
Steve Gazzano said there was a lightning strike or surge that affected the SKADA system, which is now back and running.
Mary Fisk distributed the updated BWC work plan. 5
Mary Fisk had the chair sign a letter regarding water at the COA.
There was some discussion of water signage at the Marina.
Adjournment
Gazzano moved to adjourn. Wexman seconded. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________ __________________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Emily Beebe, Co-Chair
__________________________
Date
The Water Commissioners approved these minutes at the meeting held 6/21/11.
Public Records Materials from meeting of 6/7/11
1.) June 1, 2011 memo from Fire Chief Dan Silverman regarding radio system on water tank
2.) Policy for Connecting Non-abutting Properties to the Water System
3.) E-mail dated 6/7/11 from Denice Lapierre on behalf of Chris Merl of 55 White Tail Lane
4.) WhiteWater’s 2010 Consumer Confidence Report
5.) BWC Work Plan of 6/7/11
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