Wellfleet Board of Water Commissioners
Town Hall Conference Room
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Present: Justina Carlson, Chair; William Carlson, Neil Gadwa, Jim Hood, Lori Vanderschmidt; BWC Coordinator Michaela Miteva
Chair Justina Carlson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Planning Ahead
Justina Carlson suggested that the meeting should focus on planning since there were not any problematic situations before the Board. BWC members agreed that expansion plans need to be brought up to date. Justina Carlson discussed a breakdown of per-customer costs. Members took into consideration accruing more debt, covering operating and capital costs, and areas of need in the town. They discussed possible solutions through improved wastewater management and decentralized neighborhood systems. Bill Carlson said it was time to hold a joint meeting with the Wastewater Committee. Justina Carlson suggested that each member be responsible for different areas of concern. She was willing to work on the financial aspects. Bill Carlson and Jim Hood will take on the task of gaining
public consensus.
Office Report
Coordinator Michaela Miteva delivered the BWC Office Report of January 7, 2014.* It included revenue updates, news of a new application and information on an interested party at 3096 Baker Ave. off Summit Street requesting permission to connect to the water system at his own expense.
Justina Carlson moved to approve the request to connect 3096 Baker Ave. Lori Vanderschmidt seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
The trustees of Chequessett Village had sent a letter to the Selectmen expressing their interest in a connection to the water system because of their high nitrate levels. BWC discussed the situation at Chequessett Village.
The office report also included information on the Army Corps of Engineers’ Survey, extension of the permit for a connection to Cumberland Farms, and data from the Board of Health on nitrate levels in Wellfleet. Jim Hood suggested receiving copies of well reports to get the most recent data on nitrates. Another approach would be to get town-wide water tests done if there is grant money and/or AmeriCorps volunteers available to conduct the tests.
Phase II Expansion
Michaela Miteva said that Robert B. Our had sent an e-mail regarding costs for a collapsed culvert at Chequessett Neck Road. BWC members said that the money to cover this repair should not be coming out of USDA funds for expansion of the Municipal Water System.
Jim Hood moved to prepare a letter saying USDA funds should not be used to repair the culvert. Bill Carlson seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Michaela Miteva’s office report also included information on fire hydrants along the expanded water main route.
Minutes of 12/19/13
Jim Hood moved to approve the minutes of December 19, 2013. Justina Carlson seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Staffing Needs
Justina Carlson reported that the salary line had been increased on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2015. Justina Carlson will contact the Town Administrator to ascertain the status of the staff position.
Town Meeting Article
If the Board has an Article for Town Meeting, it would have to be prepared for inclusion in the Warrant by January 31, 2014. Justina Carlson and Michaela Miteva will prepare an Article that might be able to go forward for the April Town Meeting.
Communications
Justina Carlson expressed interest in better communications with Finance Committee. She suggested attending a FinCom meeting after the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget deliberations are completed.
Adjournment
Justina Carlson moved to adjourn. Jim Hood seconded, and the motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________ __________________________
Mary Rogers, Committee Secretary Justina Carlson (Chair)
The Board of Water Commissioners approved these minutes at the meeting held 2/4/14.
Public Records Material of January 7, 2014
* BWC Office Report of January 7, 2014
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