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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 11/21/2014 k Cohnsset Water F - rt"ry D E P A R T M E N T Commissioners Leonora C.Jenkins tie C�t�S#W MO€o,ras$SSET Daniel A Varney Rolf N. Gjesteby Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners 339 King Street— Water Treatment Plant November 21, 2014 @ 9:00 am Members Present: Leonora Jenkins, Chair Rolf Gjesteby, Clerk Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas Guests Present: Carl Hillstrom, Chris Senior, Kevin McCarthy, Karen Quigley, Mary Gallagher Motion made by Lee seconded by Rolf to call the meeting to order at 9:05 am all in favor. Public Comment—No Comments Interdepartmental Charges The $1.27 that is being charged to the town only took into consideration the utilities and chemical cost. Lee wanted to discuss raising the rates 2.5%each year. When the change in rate occurred, the town got abatement, on all accounts, going back to the beginning of the year when it was approved in the middle of the year. Lee then stated that we were still waiting for payment on the high school account. Lee delivered the actual bills to the high school. They stated that they would pay the actual cost but no arrears. Chris stated that he and Mary have been going over the budget. The Water Departments first 2 commitments are 50K higher based on that and more users so she feels comfortable with that. If the trend stays that way they are comfortable with the budget. Chris stated that the budget must stay in the black. Lee then stated that running Ellms meadow is a lot less expensive to process water then to run the treatment plant and we plan to insulate to keep it running all year. Chris was given a copy of Paul's e-mail. If the revenues are higher this year, that becomes the baseline for next year. Lee asked if she did a rate study would the town back us on the results. Chris stated it still would have to go to town meeting which the board new. Lee then brought up the fact that hackers have been getting into water systems. Lee stated we have the SCADA system and since we run the SCADA system it may have to be upgraded at some point for security purposes. There was a discussion on milfoil. Chris stated that we should monitor to make sure all floating devices that go into pond should be washed down. Without any way to monitor 339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025 Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org people coming and going, especially due to access at the Reservoir through many towns that would prove almost impossible. Lee then stated that she thought that the town was going to front the Water Department $53K for FY14 and FY15. Chris stated yes, but reiterated that we must be in the black. Lee again noted that the town has not paid the FY13 bill for the $5 3 K and they don't intend to. Chris wanted to know how they wanted to start process for Rate Study. Carl stated there aren't a lot of people who do the studies but he would reach out. Lee stated that we don't have the monies to pay for it at this point. Chris stated that he said it should be looked at and see what the cost would look like. Chris said there might be a chance that Capital Stabilization monies could be used to pay for the study. Lee does not want to wait another year to be able to raise rates. Chris asked the board to look at the mechanics and he would look at how to get the study paid for. Aquarion vs Hingham is hoping to have a decision by April. Karen wanted to know if it did go to Hingham would that be a chance to renegotiate the contract with Linden Ponds, and she was informed it was between Cohasset and linden Ponds. From Hingham's point of view Cohasset is a very small portion. Kevin suggested that as part of the rate study it should include current users vs. including N. Cohasset. Lee noted that several years ago it was looked into taking over N. Cohasset from Aquarion and the costs were known in the millions due to all the upgrades required. Chris asked if Lee was going to meet with the Sewer Department in regards to my services. Chris suggested that I come up with a ball park figure on how many hours are spent on sewer in any given month. Chris asked that I come up with some numbers. Lee stated that she met with the Sewer Commission and gave them breakdowns and they suggested that monies be given by each board and have a part time clerical person hired. Needless to say, Lee was not in favor of that solution. Chris then stated in response to Karen's objection to using email for sending RFP info to the board that it was ok for Brian to send RFP's to the board but everyone should just respond to Brian directly. Town Hall Service Fee The fees are assessed for Engineer, Finance and Treasurer/Collector Departments. Rolf felt that we were being billed higher than Sewer even though we are doing water& sewer bills. The other piece is that which is DPW but Carl Sestito does not think it is an issue. It seems to be an equal give and take. The rate for town buildings never went to town meeting. The rate payers are getting charged$5.11 for 0-2000 cubic feet and$10.22 for anything above 2000 cubic feet, whereas the town only gets charged $1.27. Chris said he understands this and he will work up some numbers and get back to the board. He requested they come up with some numbers as well. He would like this to be taken care of by the end of December. He 339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025 Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org thinks that this should be part of the rate study. Chris feels that once the rate study is done then they can readdress this. Chris asked Lee to reach out to Jack Keniley to be part of the conversation about the Capital projects that need to be looked at. Document and prioritize what the capital projects are. Then there was a brief discussion about selling water to Scituate. This would take years for permitting with the state. Karen then asked if Cohasset would have issues if the state tells us to reduce our water withdrawal permitting. Carl is working on this with the state. Then there was a discussion on unaccountable water. Carl estimates the percentage for the upcoming year to be around 12%. Lee then reiterated about the 8 James Lane project. Chris stated that Brian's letter to the developer stated absolutely no blasting. Lee was then told by town council that the Water Commission cannot give consideration to the developer. Motion made by Lee to adjourn 2nd by Rolf @ 10:40 am all in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Brenda Douglas, Recording Secretary Approved By: Date: 3 L Lz Rolf Gjesteby, Clerk Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners 339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025 Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org