BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONER'S MEETING
MARCH 6, 2008
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The Board of Water Commissioners Meeting came to order at 7:00 P.M. with the following members present. Mr. Luther F. Hosmer, Mr. Peter Jakobowski is absent. Mr. Edward Johnson, Mr. Jeff Neece, DPW Director, Peter Jakobowski, D.P.W. Supervisor is absent and Mrs. Gail E. Cigal Secretary to the Board was present.
B. REPORT OF PREVIOUS MEETING (S):
Mr. Johnson made the motion to accept the previous minutes of February 21, 2008, Mr. Hosmer seconded the motion, vote unanimous.
C. SIGNING OF WARRANTS, COMMITMENTS, ETC.:
1. The Board of Water Commissioners signed the February 2008 commitment in the amount of $203.00.
2. The board signed the elderly rate application for Marie Alamed at 178 College Highway.
D. REVIEW OF ABATEMENTS:
No abatements
E. APPOINTMENTS:
1. 7:00 P.M. MR. ARTHUR PINELL BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
Selectmen Mr. Arthur Pinell came in to ask the board of Water Commissioners if they had implemented a method for the descending water rate. Mr. Neece stated that we just got our new water withdrawal permit from DEP and there are no conditions that say that we have to get to 65,000 gallons per day per person, and there is nothing in writing that states that we have to get people to use 65,000 gallons per day per person. Mr. Pinell asked the board if they have the method that they will use. To get people to conserve, Mr. Hosmer explained to Mr. Pinell that if a house hold goes over 65,000 gallons per person per day in a 6 month period then their rate will go up $1.00 more per 1,000 gallons l stated that the Water Division is taking a big step and he is hoping that we are not jumping into this to far to fast, because it will
be ugly. Mr. Panel stated that if the Water Division needs any help implementing this, let them know they will be glad to help. Mr. Pinell stated that there was one other thing that he would like to discuss with the board and that is the budget. Mr. Pinell stated the Selectmen were looking at their budget this week and they saw a few alarming scenarios. Mr. Pinell stated that the main thing is that the State is level funding the towns for the next couple of years including this year we didn't get any money, the schools did but we didn't. Mr. Pinell stated, the Selectmen are sharpening their pencils to find ways to address sources of incurring income and one of the issues that the Selectmen were looking at is the Water
Department's administrative cost sharing. Mr. Pinell gave the board a copy of the figures that town Accountant Linda Carr made up and asked the board to look it over. Mr. Hosmer asked where the $75,000.00 years interest that the town keeps from our revenue go? Mr. Pinell stated that would be a question for Linda Carr the Town Accountant. She was not able to make it this evening. Mr. Hosmer stated that he wanted to bring to Mr. Pinell 's attention the fact that the water users are paying their taxes twice, because they are paying their regular taxes which supplies the town with what ever they need and then if you take the $75,000.00 from the water users that goes into the general fund again and so they are actually paying twice. Mr. Hosmer stated, then you are taking $10,000.00 on top of that. Mr. Pinell stated that he would talk to the Selectmen about that. Mr. Jeff Neece stated
that he understands what the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen go through each year to try and balance all of the numbers and every year they are under more and more pressure. Mr. Neece stated that he thought this was the first time that the expenses for the Water Dept. from the over all budget for the town was analyzed this way. Mrs. Cigal stated that this has been done before. Mr. Neece stated that there is one question he has regarding the 9.3 percent in the right hand column of what percentage the Water Dept. has to pay. Mr. Neece stated that it is plain to see that percentage has to be changed. The board stated they would have to look it over. Mr. Pinell stated the Selectmen and the Board of Water Commissioners will have to sit down and go over it.
2. TIME: 7:15 TOWN COUNSEL MR. MARK BEGLANE OF BACON & WILSON, MR. T.J. WELCH AND HIS ATTORNEY ALAN SEEWALD, IN REGARDS TO SUB-DIVISION NOBEL STEED:
Attorney Beglane from Bacon & Wilson stated that the meeting tonight was to make sure that everyone is on the same page with what is going to happen in the new sub-division Noble Steed. Mr. Beglane stated that his understanding is for Mr. Welch to bring the existing 8" line from College Highway up Vining Hill Rd. to his subdivision Noble Steed. Attorney Beglane stated, the town requested that the line be increased to a 12". Mr. Welch's Attorney Alan Seewald stated that the idea here is to find a way to fund the incremental increase in cost from 8" water line to a 12". Attorney Beglane stated the town would pay the difference for the pipe by waiving the water connection fees until what ever that amount came out to be witch will be whatever your supplier gives you. Attorney Seewald stated, he would
like to make it clear that they would make that determination at the time they begin the work. Attorney Beglane agreed. Attorney Beglane stated, they would have to give us invoices before we could put everything in place. Attorney Beglane asked Attorney Seewald if they had specs of how deep that line has to be buried. Attorney Seewald stated, they are having it engineered. T.J. Welch asked if they could use plastic pipe. Mr. Hosmer stated as long as it meets the Mass Water Works regulations. DPW Director Jeff Neece stated, we do have plastic lines now and they hold up very well and they are more sanitary. Everyone agreed that ductile Iron would be way to expensive. Town Counsel Attorney Beglane asked Attonrey Seewald if he could put together a draft because he has all the details. Attorney Seewald agreed and stated that maybe by the next meeting it would be ready for the board of Water Commissioners to sign. Attorney Beglane stated that it is our understanding,
there are existing lines to people's homes that may have to be disconnected and then reconnected due to repairs, so we will need a list of those people ahead of time so we can let them know. Attorney Seewald agreed.
F. DPW DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
1. CONSTRUCTION BID RESULTS FOR THE REDUNDANT WELL BUILDING:
Mr. Neece stated the total bid for the redundant well building that was opened and read February 29, 2008 was $594,522.00. He stated if we consider 5% contingency it will be 624,522.00 which is within budget because the allowable funds are $672,000.00 so what we need is a vote to award the contract to Delray Contracting, Inc. as outlined . 1. The authorization of construction funds for the project at an upcoming Special Town Meeting. 2. The submission of Labor and Material Performance Bonds by the contractor for the total cost of the project. 3. The submission of Insurance Certificates by the contractor that comply with the bid specification requirements. Mr. Johnson made the motion to award the bid to Delray Contracting, Inc. under the condition that it is passed at the upcoming special town meeting. Mr.
Hosmer seconded the motion, vote unanimous.
2. EDWARD JOHNSON:
Mr. Johnson asked DPW director Jeff Neece why the Water Division had to pay $20,000.00 for the GPS system and the sewer only had to pay 8,000.00. Mr. Neece stated that it was broken down for the Highway Sewer and Water and it was based on the amount of time it would take to locate all the water information. Mr. Johnson stated then that wasn't for just the equipment. It was for the study too. Mr. Neece stated yes. Mr. Johnson stated he was just wondering why the big difference.
G. MAIL:
1. SPECIAL TOWN MEETING:
Mrs. Cigal stated that Mr. Stinehart wanted the board to be there. The board stated that they were going to be there.
2. WPA FORM 5 ORDER OF CONDITIONS:
The board read the WPA form 5 order of conditions Wetland Protection Act M.G.L. c.131, section 40 Southwick Bylaws Chapter 182 & 450 for the Well # 2 Well House that was approved. No discussion.
3. BID MINUTES FOR THE WELL #2 FEBRUARY 28, 2008
No discussion.
4. LETTER FROM GENERAL CIGAR CO. INC.:
The board received a letter from General Cigar Co. Inc. telling us the water was off and they should receive an abatement. Mrs. Cigal stated that it was all taken care of.
5. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD:
No discussion.
6. MEETING AGNDA FEBRUARY 26, 2008 PLANNING BOARD:
No discussion.
7. AGENDA FOR OPEN SPACE PLANNING COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 25, 2008
No discussion.
8. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING MARCH 11, 2008 PLANNING BOARD
No discussion.
9. MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2008 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE:
No discussion.
There being no further business brought before the board, meeting adjourned at 8:36 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail E. Cigal, DPW Secretary
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