Board of Water Commissioners
October 6, 2011
A. Call to Order:
The Board of Water Commissioners meeting came to order at 7:05 P.M. with the following members present. Chairman, Mr. Luther F. Hosmer, Mr. Peter Jakobowski, Mr. Edward Johnson, DPW Director Jeff Neece, DPW foreman Keven Soper and Mrs. Gail E. Cigal DPW Secretary.
B. Report of Previous Meeting:
Mr. Johnson made the motion to accept the previous minutes from September 15, 2011, Mr. Jakobowski seconded the motion, and Mr. Hosmer made the motion unanimous.
C. Signing of Warrants, Commitments, Etc:
1. Elderly Rate Applications were Signed by the Board for:
A. Frances Allen, 24 Pineywood Rd.
B. Gail Descant, 25 Pineywood Rd.
C. Michael Avonti, 18 Revere Rd.
D. Sandy Mcgann, 31 Fred Jackson Rd.
2. The board reviewed and signed the bills which totaled $15,276.84.
3. The board signed the Commitment for September 2011 in the amount of $1,385.00.
D. Abatements:
No abatements.
E. Appointments:
TIME: 7:15 Skip Brzoska from 723 College Highway Leak in His Water Line at the Green House:
Mr. Brzoska came in to discuss his high water bill due to a leak somewhere on his property at 723 College Highway. Mr. Brzoska stated that his water bills have been sky rocketing for the last five years and they couldn’t figure out why. Mr. Brzoska explained how his father had put in a watering system a long time ago and how they have had some major leaks but have had the town come in and try and find leaks but they couldn’t find any either. Mr. Brzoska stated that this time it came up out of the ground. Mr. Soper stated that he has a meter pit and the leak is on his side of the meter. Mr. Brzoska stated that he was going to replace the old pipe but it never stops raining long enough. The board agreed to abate the bill down to what his normal usage is. Mrs. Cigal stated that she will have to go back and
look at the old bills. Mr. Brozska stated that he has paid $1,700.00 on the present bill.
Mr. Neece asked what his present bill is. Mrs. Cigal informed the board that the bill is $4,252.00. Mr. Neece stated it will be more because some of the water will be on this October 2011 bill. The board stated to find out what his normal bill is and then get back to him as to what his abatement will be. The board suggested for Mr. Brozska to use AWWA approved plastic pipe and you will never ever have any problems with it. Mr. Brozska thanked the board. The board then discussed from now on if anyone has a leak we should take 10% off the total bill. Mr. Soper stated that is what other towns do. Mr. Johnson made the motion to take 10% off the total bill from now on whenever there is a high usage from a leak unless we feel it is from gross negligence then there would be no abatement. Mr. Jakobowski seconded
the motion vote made unanimous by Chairman Mr. Luther Hosmer.
F. DPW Director's Report:
1. Letter from DEP Regarding the Existing Water Storage Tank:
Mr. Neece stated that we received a letter from DEP stating that we have been granted permission to build a new water storage tank instead of painting and refurbishing the existing water storage tank. Mr. Neece stated that the consent order needs to be signed. Mr. Neece stated that the consent order says they will give us two years to build a new storage tank. Mr. Neece asked the board if they would like him to give the consent order to town counsel first. The board agreed. Mr. Neece stated he would do that and then report to them at the next Water Commissioners meeting.
2. Letter From MassDOT In Regards To Granting Permission To Enter Onto The College Highway To Install Water Pipe:
Mr. Neece stated we did get permission to install the water pipe up at the new DPW Garage from MassDOT.
3. Letter from DEP Regarding the Capital Improvement Plan Grant Program:
Mr. Neece stated that we have a capital improvement grant program and we submitted an application to DEP by Tighe & Bond under a Grant for $6,500.00 about six months ago. Mr. Neece stated that this is a report on the submission to DEP by DEP. Mr. Neece stated that based on this review Mass DEP approves the draft submittal and requests the following. 1. They want the board to review the capital improvement plan at one of the water commissioner’s meetings. Mr. Neece stated that another thing that they suggest is that the board annually every year takes out a loan for about $100,000.00 to $200,000.00 so the board can continue doing capital improvement programs to replace water mains. Mr. Neece stated that they are not requiring you to do that but to consider the possibility of it. Mr. Neece stated then they
want two copies of the final copies of the report be sent to their office. So the next step is to talk to Tom LeCourt from Tighe & Bond when he comes in.
Mr. Neece stated he would get a copy of the capital improvement plan and give it to Mrs. Cigal tomorrow. Mr. Neece stated that Mass Dot wants us to read the report review it reserve money for it and go and do it. Mr. Neece stated our retained earnings are not what they use to be due to all the updates of the system so we haven’t got a lot of money left.
4. Letter From DEP Regarding The 2010 Mass DEP Annual Statistical Report Review of Performance Standards:
Mr. Neece stated that they reviewed our 2010 statistical report and they adjusted our unaccounted for water numbers which is fine it is their right to do that.
G. New Business:
1. Mrs. Cigal on Vacation for Two Weeks October 10, 2011 to October 21, 2011:
No discussion.
2. The Next Scheduled Meeting October 20, 2011
Mrs. Cigal stated that she will not be here to post the meeting or attend the meeting. The board agreed to wait and meet November 3, 2011.
3. A Note from Mrs. Pamela Williams 78 Granville Rd. to The Board of Water Commissioners:
Mrs. Cigal stated that the board received a note from Pamela Williams from 78 Granville Rd. and how nice they were to work with. Chairman Luther F. Hosmer read the card to the board praising Paul Sleeper and Babe Case. Mrs. Williams stated that it is nice to know that there are still wonderful people in the world. The board stated that the note should go in their personnel folders.
4. Shut Off List:
Mr. Neece stated that Tuesday the water guys will go out with the list of people who have not paid their April 2011 water bill and turn their water off. Mrs. Cigal stated she will be on vacation so Michelle Hill the Tax Collector will have to let you know who pays so then you can go and turn the water back on. Mr. Soper stated that he will let her know that. Mr. Soper stated that he will go and see her on Tuesday before he shuts anyone off.
5. Water Storage Tank Monthly Budget Report:
Mr. Neece stated that Natgun billed for $955,000.00 and their balance to finish is $80,000.00. Mr. Neece stated that the only thing that they haven’t billed us for is the electrical instrumentation & communication work which they are doing now in the new precast house. Mr. Neece stated they haven’t finished the fencing or the tank & site restoration. Mr. Neece stated that he has an e-mail into Tighe & Bond to see when they will re-inspect the tank with DEP because DEP will be doing the sign off and then we can open the valve.
There being no further business brought before the board, meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail E. Cigal, DPW Secretary
| 
