HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 05/04/2016 TOWN OF COHASSET
Sewer Commission
- 41 Highland Avenue
Cohasset, MA 02025
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781-383-4108
Date: May 4, 2016
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Place: Basement Meeting Room,Town Hall
Present: Bryan Baldwin,Chairman
Bill McGowan,Vice Chair
Wayne Sawchuk,Clerk
Mr. McGowan called the meetingto orderat 4:00 p.m.
1. Administration
a. Next Meeting: scheduled for Tuesday, May 17 @ 4 p.m.in the Basement Meeting Room-Town
Hall.
b. Approve Meeting Minutes: Motion by Mr. McGowan to approve the minutes of 4/21/2016,
seconded by Mr. Baldwin and the vote was unanimous(3-0).
2. New Business
a. Change of Use Request-103 Ripley Road:
In attendance for this agenda item is Edward Regan.
Recused from this agenda item is Mr.Sawchuk.
The building is currently assigned one(1) EDU for commercial use. Mr. Regan proposes continuing
the commercial use on the ground floor, but changingthe use on the second floorto residential by
converti ng two(2)office spaces to two(2) single bedroom apartments. When Mr. Regan pur-
chased the space in 2007 one of the offices already had a stand up shower,so he assumed he
would only need to install a kitchen in that space. The other apartment needs a bathroom with a
standup shower and kitchen. Mr. Regan wi I I add stai rs for a second means of egress.
The Board assigns one half equivalent dwelli ng unit(EDU)for each living unit up to two (2) bed-
rooms. The applicant would be responsible forthe purchase of one(1)additional EDU.
Motion by Chairman Baldwin to approve the assignment of one(1) EDU to the property,se-
conded by Mr. McGowan,and the vote was approved (2-0),with Mr.Sawchuk recused. A letter
wil I be sent to the appl icant defini ng the cost. The Board asked the applicant to confi rm the prop-
erty ID with the Assessor's office,and to provide the information to the Board/
b. Large Home Review-One James Island Way: The sewer connection fee and application were
received in March 2013, there are no outstanding fees. The Board took no exception to the
plans reviewed,but afinal sewer service route must be approved.
Cohasset Board of Sewer Commissioners Page 1
c. Abatement Request-92 Howard Gleason Road(Virginia Gray): Ms.Gray is seeking abatement
from the Waterand Sewer Commissions after a burst water pipe in February 2016. Theabate-
ment was approved unanimously.
d. Abatement Request-726 Jerusalem Road(Sondra Schmidt): Ms.Schmidt is seeking abate-
mentfrom the Waterand SewerCommissions after water service leak. The abatementwas
approved unanimously.
e. 189 Hull Street: In attendance for this item is Steven Girardi. Mr. Girardi received a bill for
sewer usage since 2013 that he hasn't been billed for. He has a private well fordomesticwater
use. It was suggested to Mr. Girardi to hire a plumberto put a meteron his house,and Brenda
at the Water Department will help him with choosingthe correct meter. If he chooses notto
put a meteron his house, he will be billed on an estimated usage. The grinderpump is
$125/quarter plus the sewer usage,which is estimated at$164/quarter. Overthe past four
years he has not been billed forthe$3,300 owed to the Town. When Mr. Girardi built his
house,he submitted all the plans and paperwork that went through all the departments,the
sewer connection was inspected and he still didn't receive bill. The board will seek counsel
for time restrictions and a fairway forthe residents to pay the Town back.
f. 191 Hull Street(Mario Rosano): A letterwas sent to the resident informing them they will re-
ceive a bill based on estimated usage determined bythe Water Department. The Board will
contact Aquarian forthe actual consumption to determinethe estimated sewer usage. The let-
ter invited the resident to attend a Board meeting to discuss the back pay for sewer usage
since August 13, 2003.
g. 268 Jerusalem Road(Thomas Littauer): A letterwassentto the resident informingthemthey
will receive bill based on estimated usage determined by the Water Department. Since they
have a private well,the consumption will be based at 2500 cubic feet perquarter. The letter
invited the residentto attend a Board meetingto discuss the back pay for sewer usage since
April 2015.
3. Old Business
a. Review Sewer Connections in Process Update: notreviewed.
b. Review 2016 Operating Financial Statement Update: notreviewed.
c. Retai n i ng Wa I I at CMHS: The mason i s f i n ish i ng the top of the wal I i n f ront of the school. An
extra$2,100 was requested to patch the road nearthe school,and$3200 for 10 junipers on each
side of the entrance to the school. Mr. Coughlin spoke to Mr.Iaria about the high cost of the road
workand shrubs. Mr. laria came down on the price. When the bill comes in,the Board will ap-
prove.
Currently,there is an electric meter that feeds the pump to the school. There is another pole with
an outletfora generatorthat is not used. The Commission is billed a minimum monthlyfee,and
the pole is in an unfortunate place. Mr.Sawchuk questioned if the meter and pole could be re-
moved? He will pursue.
Cohasset Board of Sewer Commissioners Page 2
d. King Street Citizen's Petition: A letterfrom Richard Henderson representingthe proponents
dated 4/26/16 was presented and reviewed. The letter confirms the proponents intentto in-
clefinitelypostpone its request to extend the sewer main in King Street near Lily Pond. Mr.
Henderson also noted that the Board would need to conduct a public meeting on the matter as
a prerequisite to Town Meeting. The Board's Rules and Regulations do not currentlythe proce-
dure for such a meeting.
Chairman Baldwin stated that he has long desired to update the Board's Rules and Regulations.
He has received a copy of the Rules and Regulations for the Town of Chatham against which
the Board might benchmark.
e. 16 Norfolk Lane: Mr. Coughlin emai led the Board with a draft I etter sent to Mr. Spath includ-
ing(2) photos of exposed pipes at 16 Norfolk Lane. The installation was not in conformance
with the Board's Rules and Regulations. Chairman Baldwin stated he would issue a Ietteron
behalf of the Board notifyingthe resident,and provi d i ng spe cifi c acti on req u i red to secu re
Board approval. The Building Departmentwill be asked to withhold an occupancy permit until
the installation has been approved by Board.
Documents Distributed and Reviewed:
Meeting Minutes 4/21/2016
Cavanaro Plan Labeled Project 13022 dated 7/6/15
92 Howard Gleason Road Abatement request
726 Jerusalem Road Abatement request
103 Ripley Road Application for Gravity Sewer Pump Service Connection
Sewer Usage Letters for 189 Hul I Street,191 Hull Street,and 268 Jerusalem Road dated 5/1/16
Draft letterfrom Mr. Coughlin to Mr. Spath regarding16 Norfolk Lane
Two (2)photos of exposed pipe at 16 Norfolk Lane
Letterfrom Henderson& Henderson, P.0 dated 4/26/16
FY2016 Sewer Operating Financial Statement
Cohasset Board of Sewer Commissioners Page 3