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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 02/23/2021 ColhaC ptCommissioners ssG G water Leonora C.Jenkins _;F D E P A R T M E N T Stephen M. Girardi the Co NNOV Since 1950 John W. Steinmetz r ; f� r connsscT,' ' - ��vN BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS Tuesday, February 23, 2021 3:15 pm—5:00 pm Virtual Zoom Meeting httys://us02web.zoom.us/i/86756359692?pwd=OUNuOH V rVm5OM DFMcExBYnI5 RO8 YUT09 Meeting ID: 867 5635 9692 Passcode: 875739 Members Present: Leonora Jenkins, Chair Stephen Girardi, Vice-Chair John Steinmetz, Clerk Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas Attendees: Russ Tierney Weir River Water,Jason Federico, Fred Rogers, Don Piatt, Carl Hillstrom Lee called the meeting called to order at 3:l7 pm 2nd by John Steinmetz, Steve not on call yet. Interconnect Meeting with Linden Ponds & Weir River Water Russ told everyone what has been going on over the last couple of weeks for water main breaks and discolored water on the Cohasset side. He is looking at hydrants that are not working on the Cohasset side as well. Trying to work with the fire chief to get a list. John asked what they were doing with the rates. They are currently doing a rate study. Steve asked about the citizen's advisory board from the Water Department. In Hingham and Hull, it is appointed from the Select Board. Mike Arruda will not be in attendance as he gave notice. There is someone new coming in from Suez to cover until a permanent Project Manager is hired. Financials—Don Piatt 339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025 Tel: (781) 383-0057 www.cohassetma.org Don reported that FY2021 for January is looking in good shape 62.5% of billing has been collected. Water Department is ahead on usage and connection revenue. Expenditures are at 46.6%. Lee mentioned that she thought that Linden Ponds was under the projections but spoke to Brenda and they have only paid 6 months not 7. FY2022 Budget The budget was not voted on at the last meeting. Lee asked if there were any questions or comments on the current budget. Lee wanted to know if they wanted to make a motion. John wanted to speak about a Water Superintendent as it may have an impact on the indirect costs. Lee found an old study with combined water/sewer with a Superintendent and Con Ops. Lee felt that we currently have a Superintendent with Jason in his current position as we are not in a situation like Hingham starting out having just bought the operation from Aquarion. John said that we are only getting 50% of Jason's time. John sees W&C being different from that of Water Superintendent. If Jason were appointed Water Superintendent this would include budgeting, infrastructure, working with the town boards. This would be for long-term managing. John felt strongly that the Water Department have a full-time employee to look at all of this. He sees cost savings in future rate studies. John suggested that the Water Department should pay 100%of his salary. Steve agreed with John but also said that another option would be a 70-30% split with the town. He suggested doing this for a year and see how it goes. Lee reiterated that she is very pleased with what Jason has done for us, but if you look at the white board W&C has accomplished all the things that they have put in place, she sees no deficit in any of the work and it is currently being done as John suggests. Lee did not think it was appropriate currently since the budgets are due to make such a drastic change. She suggested reviewing for next year's budget. Lee asked if Jason's salary would come out of a separate line item or adjust indirect costs. If he were 100% Water Department employee paid by expenditure budget and benefits would come out of indirect costs. Don said if it were a 70/30 split then the indirect costs would be adjusted. Don suggested having a meeting with Chris and Brian before moving forward, and table the budget. John said he is still a proponent for 100%of Jason's time but he agreed with the 70-30 split that Steve suggested. He agrees that it should be discussed with Chris and Brian as well. John made a motion that the board nominate Jason as subject to approval of Chris Senior and Brian Joyce, Water Superintendent. John and Steve voted yes,and Lee voted no. Jason will spearhead coordinating the meeting. Steve suggested that Lee be the one going to the meeting. Rate Study Presentations This will be the first time since 2013 that the board is looking at new usage rates. This was supposed to be presented at the last ATM but was postponed due to the Covid situation. Lee suggested to put in a slide of improvements to distribution and treatment to see what has been done. Steve thought that it was a good idea. Jason will work on the additional slide as requested by Lee. Lee wanted to know when the article budget would be presented but Jason was unsure. Plant Automation There was a meeting with DEP with a follow up meeting. The most important issue that came out of the meeting is that the Water Department site is not secure and used for 339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025 Tel: (781)383-0057 www.cohassetma.org recreational use. Jason is working on getting 3 quotes for fencing at the plant. Currently the low bid is $45,693. In the meantime,temporary fencing has been set up around the intake structure. John wanted to know if Conservation Commission and Building Department would need to be involved. Jason said that they would not be involved since everything is within the property line. We are inside 50' of pond and that would not infringe on Con Com. Jason then asked for authorization up to 50K for fencing at the plant. It will have 2 18' rolling gates and will be commercial grade fencing. 1 piece he is adding will be to add a bottom rail which is not included. This is not only needed for plant automation, but it is just needed in general. John made a motion to spend up to $50K for fencing at the plant this was 2nd by Lee, motion passed unanimously. Unmanned Ops&Cyber Security- DEP might be changing or reevaluating but it should not affect what is currently proposed by W&C. Jason would like permission to move forward with the security update provided by Woodard& Curran. Steve made a motion to approve$10,350 for cyber security update,2111 by John all in favor motion passed unanimously. PFAS—Ellms Meadow+ Increase in Dumping Jason has submitted the grant application to the state but has not heard anything yet. In the meantime, Jason asked Tetra Tech what the potential cost would be for construction at Ellms Meadow they said it would be $71OK, and the yearly maintenance would be 12- 13K. Update 390 C J Cushing Highway There is no update currently. No monies have been received for connection cost. 397 Beechwood Street Letter to Board of Health The new system had already been installed and Jason's suggestion was rejected. CIP & GAC Update Plant tours were completed. There has been a lot of positive feedback, they stated that the plant has been well maintained. The GAC unit has been shipped out and we should receive a draft final report in a week or two. Lee asked about the sludge lagoon expansion. There is a meeting tomorrow to discuss discharge permit then it can be looked at. After 2 years the study is now complete. Lee asked Carl about the sludge removal. Solid Waste Solutions are unable to take the sludge. Spoke with Saybrooke this morning and they currently cannot take it either. Last year the sludge was shipped to RI. Carl said there is a place in NY, but it must be 27%solids, but we can get to that plus the shipping would be very costly. Fred said he will check with other water projects for other possible places to take the sludge. Then there was a discussion about the PFAS letter from DEP and the 1 page that the PR company has put together and how. John made a motion to appoint Lee to work with Jason & Carl on getting out the required notice on PFAS out to the public, 2nd by Steve, all in favor. Motion unanimously passed. Meeting Note Approval/Abatements/Commission Comments John made a motion to approve January 19, 2021 meeting minutes, 2nd by Steve, all in favor,motion unanimously passed. 339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025 Tel: (781) 383-0057 www.cohassetma.org Abatement received but bill has not paid, Lee suggested tabling till next meeting to see if bill gets paid. Lee asked about next meeting, Tuesdays still seem to be the best. Brenda will send out an email for the next meeting and availability. Lee thanked everyone for coming. Lee made am motion to close meeting at 4:42, second by John, all in favor. Respectfully Submit Brenda Douglas, R in korot' ry Approved By: , Date: ✓ d I C��d ` Jo Steinmetz, Clerk Co asset Board of Water Co Aistoners 339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025 Tel: (781) 383-0057 www.cohassetma.org