HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 05/14/2015 v : Cohasset water
Mi
" D E P A R T M E N T Commissioners
Leonora C.Jenkins
aoc°r,nssT o ` �' 1950 Rolf N. Gjesteby
John W. Steinmetz
Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street— Water Treatment Plant
May 14, 2015 @ 10:00 am
Members Present: Leonora Jenkins, Chairman
Rolf Gjesteby, Clerk
John Steinmetz
Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas
Guests Present: Carl Hillstrom, Joe Geary, Paul Roux, new Board of Health member; Dr.
Harvey Dickstein, Ed Goff, Mark Picot, Paula Linhares, John Chapman
Motion made by Lee seconded by Rolf all in favor to call the meeting to order at 10:01
am.
Reorganization of Water Board
Rolf nominated Lee for Chairman, all in favor.
Lee nominated Rolf for Vice-Chairman, all in favor.
Lee nominated John for Clerk, all in favor.
Public Comment
John recused himself from speaking in regards to Mr. Picot due to the fact that he is
friendly with Mr. Picot,their families socialize together.
Back in 1965 there was an easement put in place on Mr. Picot's property to service the 6
homes out back. He explained that during the Little Harbor Water/Sewer project the town
cut and capped the pipe and the homes out back were put on the new main. Mr. Picot
stated that at that time he was shown a piece of pipe which was galvanized pipe. He
assumed that the entire service line was galvanized pipe. Mr. Picot signed off on the
relinquishment of easement back in 2008. He stated that he took responsibility for the
pipe at that time. Iaria Bros. did work for the Cohasset Water to find drainage problems
at the end of 2008. Mr. Picot stated that the town was trying to figure out where water
was coming from on his property. In a letter from Iaria Bros., it was stated that they
fixed a drainage problem at 48 Nichols Road. In October of 2013 a leak was detected on
Mr. Picot's property which he had Schirmer Excavating fix. At that time he felt that the
town should pay and came before the Water Board but was denied since he accepted
responsibility for the line in 2008. At that time the Board recommended that he replace
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906
his entire line. Since it is leaking again, Mr. Picot feels that the town should pay to fix
his line. He had Schirmer Excavating dig up where the leak was and found it to be
copper pipe not galvanized. He stated that there is a 2" galvanized attached to a 2"
copper pipe. Mr. Picot said that he would never have signed off on this if he knew this
was in the ground. Lee asked if Mr. Picot had ever been asked to replace service and he
said that he was never notified. Lee reiterated that when he signed off on the easement
that the pipe was his responsibility and that back in 2013 he was instructed to replace the
pipe. Carl noted that this type of connection is done all the time. Mr. Picot said that he
keeps getting pin holes in his pipes. Carl indicated that the town water is not corrosive.
Mr. Picot stated that had he known that it had a copper pipe he would have added this to
the loan he took for the sewer betterment and replaced the service. Then he requested
that the Water Department put a 1"plastic line through his existing pipe. Lee read from
the easement that Mr. Picot signed off on that states that the town would not be
responsible. Mr. Picot reiterated that the agreement is null and void. After the town was
not using the property he would have automatically gotten the easement removed. Lee
reminded him that a packet went out prior to the start of the Water/Sewer Project telling
people to look into replacing their old water services. Lee stated that he has had more
than enough time to fix it and that it is his responsibility.
Rolf made a motion that the Water Department not repair the leak on Mr. Picot's
property, and that it's the responsibility of the owner, this was seconded by Lee.
Warrants/Abatements/Minutes
Abatement
44 Border Street—Atlantica Restaurant: John stated that the Atlantica was notified by
the Water Department that they had a leak prior to the February 2, 2015 bill going out.
The charges being requested for abatement are $17,302.80. Johns view is that Atlantica
should be held responsible. Lee concurred with John and Lee stated that they should be
able to apply to their insurance. Lee pointed out that after the leak inside the building
that there fire sprinkler outside then inside the building both froze and burst. Both of
these lines are unmetered and 100's of 1000's of water were lost. John made a motion to
deny this was seconded by Rolf all in favor.
Rolf made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 29, 2015 meeting this was 2nd
by John all in favor.
Warrants were signed off on and approved.
Financials
Lee stated that it is going to be tight thru the end of the year. Lee stated that Toby Fedder
of Woodard and Curran have requested an additional $1500.00 for additional work done
on the rate study. John felt that it was a reasonable amount. Rolf made a motion to
authorize payment of the additional payment, seconded by John all in favor.
Bill Formatting
Brenda gave an update to the status of the multi-unit charges for each customer. Lee
stated that the board can put in a bill stuffier in regards to the new charge on the bill. This
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906
also can be put up on cable as well. Lee thought that it would be a good idea to mention
g
that the additional charge will assist in paying down the debt.
Monthly Operating Report
Carl reported that this months reported has not been completed yet. The only issues that
the department is currently having with treatment are that the lime has been clogging the
feed lines. Paul stated that the lime is the chemical feed system that he is looking into
getting a dollar amount on to upgrade. Paul stated that the benefits would be to
upgrading the system would be to maintenance as well as sludge. The current lime
system is high maintenance as well as causes a lot of sludge. Also it will allow for a
better reduction in aluminum.
Lee wanted to know what the cost would be to remove the silt from the intake. Paul
stated that he would have to check to see if the state would allow a vacuum to suck up
muck and have it discharge into hay bales and then the water to drain back into the pond.
Water Withdrawal Permit
Carl has about 70% done on the response to the DEP. Restrictions would be May-
September. The restriction of 65 gallons per person per day per person would be put in
place. Carl recommends going with calendar restrictions,not stream flow. He told them
how much rain we have had for the past 2 months. He stated that we are going to be in
advisory mode as of July 1"if we don't get any rain. Lee asked how the wells are doing,
Carl stated that they have dropped a few feet but right now we are in good shape. Carl
stated when we exceed the 65 per day the water restrictions become more stringent.
Lee asked if it would be beneficial to insulate the pipes at Ellms Meadow so that it could
run year around. Paul stated absolutely.
Carl reported that they had reduced the amount of Fluoride into the system. This went
from 1 to .7. Dr. Dickstein asked when this was implemented and Carl stated they
changed as soon as the letter was received from the state, which was May 1, 2015. Dr.
Dickstein stated that we should not hear from the state for another 10 years so that they
can compile the information. He then offered to write an article for the Mariner and Lee
encouraged him to do it as a joint article with his position on the Board of Health.
The board then recognized that Mr. Ed Goff, of 100 Pond Street Unit 12. He couldn't
wait for Mr. Picot to finish his public comments and the board indicated they would hear
him when he came back to the meeting. Mr. Goff spoke to the board regarding his own
bill vs. his apartment building bill at 87 Cushing Road. He stated that it is highly
discriminatory. He felt that it is so unfair and he has to pass this on to his tenants. Ed
noted that the Assessor's office does not charge a higher rate for those who have
businesses in town since they are so few and far between. He brought in his bills from
Abington and Quincy for other apartment buildings and it is a fraction of the cost. Lee
explained that the new fee was part of the rate study that the town requested the Water
Department have done. Lee stated that this is an important industry standard that is done
in other towns.
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906
James Lane
Lee said that it is still with the Planning Board but what was passed at town meeting
changed the business district,the garage and unfinished attic space to be counted toward
the total square footage as soon as this town meeting vote passes the state Attorney
General. Lee then inquired whether or not the town ever checked into the right of way
that the developer is eliminating that is adjacent to the town property. The developer
plans to put parking there and Lee wanted to make sure there was not a legal problem if
the right of way is owned by the town. Brian Joyce is going to check on the easement.
Woodard& Curran Contract
Brian said Chris Senior has asked to speak with Paul today. Paul said he would go over
and speak with him directly.
Paul then spoke and introduced Joe Geary. Paul explained that Joe will be the new Area
Manager. Paul stated it would be a slow transition. Joe then gave some of his
background and the different plants he has worked with. Lee asked how long he had
been with Woodard& Curran and he stated it has been 14 years.
Motion made by Rolf to adjourn the meeting at 11:42 pm this was 2"d by John, all in
favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Douglas, Recording Secretary
Approved By: Date: 01 a��i5
Joh4W. Steinmetz
Coh sset Board of Water Commi rs
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906