Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners
Town Hall Conference Room
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Present: Justina Carlson, Chair; Jim Hood, William Carlson, Lori Vanderschmidt; Water System Coordinator Michaela Miteva; Town Administrator Paul Sieloff
Chair Justina Carlson opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.
Public Hearing
The public hearing was called to propose a 2.5% annual increase of water usage rates and service fee effective on November 1, 2012 and each consecutive year thereafter. No members of the public were present.
Justina Carlson moved to reconfirm the prior motion to raise the rates. Hood seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.
The public hearing closed at 7:12 and the regular meeting proceeded.
BWC Office Report
Michaela Miteva presented the Office Report of September 18, 2012. 1 She also distributed an announcement for the Silent Spring Institute Research Update, scheduled for October 4, 2012.2 The Water Commissioners discussed revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2012 and finances so for FY13.
Antenna on Water Tower
Fire Chief Daniel Silverman was present to discuss Water Enterprise System fees charged for the use of the Emergency System Antennae on the water tank. He had emailed a memo dated September 12, 2012. 3 He explained his objections from the beginning to charging the Fire Department for a service to the Town. The Water Commissioners and Town Administrator Paul Sieloff addressed his issues regarding: Fire Department budgeting; Open Cape’s use of the tank for antennas, emergency communications for Wellfleet; Water Enterprise funding; Fire Department cooperation in creating
the Water System; and deficits in the Water Enterprise Fund
Chief Silverman said, for the record, that he believes the Fire Department is being unfairly targeted as a cash center in support of the Water Enterprise Fund and the cost that the Fire Department has incurred is not equally being reimbursed. He said that he will pay the bill of $8,000 to the Water Enterprise Fund even though it sets up a damaging precedent. Lori Vanderschmidt expressed recognition for the support Chief Silverman and the Fire Department have lent to the Municipal Water System. The Board said they appreciated the background work the Fire Department had done on ISO and development of the Water System.
Grant Research Update
Lori Vanderschmidt said she would like to meet with Paul Millett of Environmental Partners Group (EPG) to work on a grant application for Massachusetts Environmental Trust FY14. She said there were several grant areas that could be pursued such as water conservation, run-off, medical waste invasion of the aquifer, and well tests in Downtown Wellfleet. EPG is willing to write the proposal if the BWC is interested. The Board of Health should be involved if the Water Commissioners want to proceed, Vanderschmidt said. Michaela Miteva will communicate with Lori Vanderschmidt regarding the grant proposal.
Jim Hood reported on a meeting with Nancy Howard, former head of Mass Development, who indicated there was very little grant money available for municipal systems. She did suggest that the Economic Development Fund might be a possible source of funding for users of the system.
Budget Process
Jim Hood and Michaela Miteva had prepared preliminary budget worksheets4 that show budgeted and actual figures for FY12 and projections for FY13 so far. "Worst case" budgets for FY 14 through FY20 were included in the draft projections. Water Commissioners discussed ways of getting additional connections.
Cathodic Protection Plan Renewal
Bill Carlson moved to approve the renewal plan for Cathodic Protection for the water tank. Justina Carlson seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.
DEP Notice of Noncompliance for White Crest Beach
The Town had received a notice for water quality at White Crest Beach. The issue has been resolved.
Minutes of 9/04/12
Justina Carlson moved to approve the minutes of September 4, 2012. Bill Carlson seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________ __________________
Mary Rogers, Justina Carlson, Chair
Committee Secretary
The Water Commissioners approved these minutes at the meeting held 10/2/12.
Public Records Material of 09/18/12
1.) Office Report of 9/18/12
2.) Announcement for the Silent Spring Institute Research Update
3.) Memo from Fire Chief Daniel Silverman dated 9/12/12
4.) Preliminary Budget Worksheets
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