BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONER'S MEETING
JULY 10, 2008
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The Board of Water Commissioner's Meeting came to order at 7:05 P.M. with the following members present. Mr. Luther F. Hosmer, Chairman. Mr. Peter Jakobowski, Mr. Edward Johnson. D.P.W Director Jeff Neece, Mr. Peter Jakobowski, D.P.W. Supervisor. Mrs. Gail E. Cigal Secretary to the Board of Water Commissioners.
B. REPORT OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S):
Mr. Johnson made the motion to accept the previous minutes of June 5, 2008
Mr. Jakobowski seconded the motion, vote unanimous by Mr. Luther Hosmer, Chairman.
C. SIGNING OF WARRANTS, COMMITMENTS, ETC.:
1. The board signed the June 2008 Commitment in the Amount of $2,330.00
2. The Board signed the elderly rate application for Bernadette Johnson 16 Sefton Dr.
D. ABATEMENTS:
The board did not sign the abatements #406-411.
E. APPOINTMENTS:
1. 7:15 P.M. PLUMBING INSPECTOR MR. SANTENELLO:
Plumbing inspector Mr. Sam Santenello came in to discuss with the board, the problem with people not installing their backflow devices correctly or installing the wrong kind. Mr. Santenello stated that he talked with Mr. Neece and what he would like to do is start a Residential Irrigation System Program where the residents would have to come in to the Water Division and register their backflow device and take out a permit for a small fee like $5.00 or $10.00. Mr. Santenello stated that then we would have an idea on where the backflows have been installed. Mr. Santenello stated that they would then have to submit their permit to the Plumbing Inspector also. Mr. Santenello stated, then he would know that it was installed by a licensed plumber. Mr. Santenello stated that according to the Plumbing code and Mass law,
It has to be installed by a licensed Plumber to have anything to do with potable water, regardless if it is Town water or well water. Mr. Neece stated right now people are going down to Home Depot and picking up a Home Depot special kit and hooking them up to any line and usually the hose bib is on the outside. Mr. Santenello stated that through the Plumbing Dept. he sent out courtesy cards letting people know that if they come in and let us know that they have a backflow device we won't charge them for the installation, but we need to know who has them. Mr. Santenello stated that in sending them out to the whole town, he only got four back.
Mr. Santenello stated another thing he wanted to talk to the board about was that Westfield and Agawam is starting a residential backflow program. Mr. Santenello stated that the backflow devices that are legal now are not going to be legal any more they will have to go to RPV valves for residential. Mr. Santenello stated that you can't inspect them. Mr. Hosmer asked Mr. Santenello if he was going to set up this program. Mr. Santenello stated that's what he wanted to talk to the Board about. Supervisor Peter Jakobowski asked how would we enforce it? Mr. Santenello stated we could give them a year. Mr. Jakobowski asked what would be the punishment? Mr. Santenello stated we could shut their water off. DPW Director Jeff Neece stated that we would have to work that out with the board of Health
because we can't shut the water off if they have a well. The board agreed to have Mr. Santenello look into it further and then get back to us. Mr. Santenello stated that whether or not a person has a well or is on town water, the plumbing code states that they have a backflow device. Mr. Santenello informed the board that Westfield's Plumbing Inspector does the inspections for the Water Division so if our Backflow Inspector ever retires he could do the Commercial Inspections also.
2. SCOTT COOK FROM WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE:
Scott Cook from Wilderness Experience came in to ask the board if they could fill their swimming pool from the hydrant like we did last year. Mr. Cook stated that they have to empty it and clean it once a year. The board agreed as long as they don't shut the road down. Mr. Cook stated that they would run a line in back of the building to the hydrant on Depot St. The board agreed as long as they go in back of the building the way they did it last year. Mr. Cook stated that it worked out good last year with a couple of Water men through the back of Depot Court through the right of way where the sewer line is. Supervisor Peter Jakobowski asked what the fee would be. Mr. Jakobowski stated it would be two men for maybe 5 hours. Mr. Hosmer stated that this will have to be the last time because other people have asked
us to fill their pool and we said no. Mr. Cook stated that they are a little different from them because we are a
Training pool and the Police train there. Supervisor Mr. Jakobowski stated that they will have to mow the right of way. Mr. Cook will let Mr. Neece know at the end of August when they will need us to fill it. Mr. Neece ask Mr. Cook how do they drain the pool and where does the water go? Mr. Cook stated that they have a plan in place with Conservation where we can neutralize the chemicals and drain it outback or we can go right into the sewer. Mr. Neece stated that he would have a problem with that. Mr. Jakobowski stated that if you go into the sewer then there would be a fee. Mr. Neece asked Mr. Cook how he would drain it into the sewers. Mr. Cook stated through the shower he guessed. Mr. Cook stated that they never did it that way before. Mr. Neece asked Mr. Cook not to put it into the sewers. Mr.
Jakobowski stated that we could put it down a man hole. Mr. Neece asked if we should get a release of liability. Mr. Jakobowski stated that we will be going on a right of way so it's covered. Mr. Cook stated that he will give Mr. Neece a call like a week before.
F. DPW DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
1. WATER RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Mr. Neece stated that the water rules and regulations need to be updated. The board agreed.
2. THE NEW 2009 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET:
Mr. Neece gave the board a copy of the Fiscal year 2009 budget to go over. Mr. Hosmer asked Mr. Neece if he put in the raise for the Board of Water Commissioners. Mr. Neece thought he had missed it. Mr. Neece gave the Board a copy of the 2007 Water Quality report which was required by DEP.
John Whalley has donated 35 acres to develop a new Ball Park. Mr. Neece stated that on request from the Board of Selectmen is to have the Board of Water Commissioners vote to approve the donation of a water line to the edge of the property to service two or three hydrants and a concession stand. The board agreed that we would need to see the plans. Mr. Johnson made the motion to install an 8" line to the property line to service water to the new ball fields. Mr. Jakobowski seconded the motion, Mr. Hosmer made the motion unanimous. Mr. Jakobowski asked who will pay the water bill. Mr. Johnson stated the Rec Center will pay for the water bill.
Tractor Supply on College Highway. Mr. Jakobowski stated that they will put in a 10" line and reduce it down for the sprinkler system. Mr. Hosmer stated that we haven't seen their plans. Mr. Jakobowski stated that they should come in with a plan. Mr. Hosmer stated that they should be notified of what they should be putting in. Mr. Hosmer stated that the line will be installed so that they still will have fire protection if we want to shut the water off.
Administrative Cost to the Town. Mr. Johnson made the motion to give the increase for Administrative fees up to $35,202.82 yearly. Mr. Jakobowski seconded the motion with the understanding that if they go up again next year we will not approve it .Mr. Hosmer stated that what we give them every year should stay the same. Mr. Johnson stated that it should be yearly not just for this year. Mr. Hosmer made the motion unanimous.
3. SELECTMEN'S MEETING:
Mr. Neece stated that at the Selectmen's last meeting they kind of agreed in principle to make the Water Commissioners the Sewer Commissioners. Mr. Neece stated that since then the Sewer Implementation Committee made an official written request to the Board of Selectmen for them to be the Sewer Commissioners. Mr. Neece stated that he doesn't know what is going to happen, the Board of Water Commissioners should write an official letter to the Board of Selectmen to become the Sewer Commissioners. The board asked Mr. Neece to write the request up and they would sign it.
G. MAIL:
1. ROSEWOOD LANE REQUESTING THE WATER DIVISION TO FLUSH THEIR HYDRANTS TO IMPROVE THEIR WATER PRESSURE:
The board agreed to charge Rosewood Estates a days pay for Flushing their Hydrants
In their sub-division so they would have better water pressure.
2. UPGRADE THE HAND HELD METER READER GUNS:
No discussion.
3. DEP DROUGHT TRIGGERED SEASONAL DEMAND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR
REGISTERED PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS:
4. DEP STATE REVOLVING FUND LOAN PROGRAM FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2009:
Mr. Neece is working on it.
5. TEST AMERICA WATER TEST RESULTS:
No discussion.
6. COPY OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONSENT ORDER AND NOTICE OF THE NONCOMPLIEANCE SIGNED BY THE BOARD:
No discussion.
7. MONEY TURNED OVER TO THE TREASURER FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 7, 2008 THRU JULY 11, 2008:
No discussion.
8. TIGHE & BOND SHOP DRAWING REVIEW:
No discussion.
There being no further business brought before the board, Mr. Johnson made the motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Jakobowski seconded the motion, vote unanimous by Chairman Luther F. Hosmer.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail E. Cigal
Secretary to the Board of Water Commissioners
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