HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 07/22/2015 f i Cohasset Water
D E P A R T M E N T Commissioners
{J�+� ���i ��I�S 1tJ f),, /� Leonora C. Jenkins
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/��E! Rolf N. Gjesteby
John W. Steinmetz
Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street—Water Treatment Plant
July 22, 2015 @ 9:30 am
Members Present: Leonora Jenkins, Chairman
Rolf Gjesteby, Vice-Chairman
John Steinmetz, Clerk
Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas
Guests Present: Carl Hillstrom,Karen Quigley, Bryan Baldwin, Wayne Sawchuk, Marc
Drainville, Joe Geary, Brian Joyce, Bill McGowan, Chris Senior, Kate McAlarey
Motion made by Lee seconded by Rolf to call the meeting to order at 9:31 all in favor.
Lee turned meeting over to Sewer Commissioners. Then Bryan Baldwin opened the
Sewer Commission meeting. Bryan explained the study that they are doing is not just a
sewer project. The study is being done on behalf of the town. GHD has been hired to
help them understand the needs of the town and have a plan study. Mark Drainville said
that they are going to meet with the various committees. They met with the BOH and are
waiting to meet with the Con Com. Bryan stated that he is looking for feedback. Rolf
wanted to make sure that the project was coordinated properly. Wayne said they have put
cameras in every single main over a 3 year period. The have determined that they do not
have to replace anything at this time. Their plant has now been upgraded.
Lee said that years ago the issue of nutrient overload in the water was brought up. Lee
said that the Doane Street area as well as Beechwood would be good areas to look at for
sewer. Lee said that she has spoken to Brian Joyce and Kate from the high school to do
some environmental studies. Lee is looking to get some source points for testing around
the pond. Wayne wanted to know if any testing is done at 3A @ King Street where it
goes into Lily Pond. Carl stated we have not done testing at the source. Carl said he was
sure that testing was done in the past but not currently. Wayne wanted to know if there
were areas that need to be addressed immediately.
The potential areas of concern were printed out and distributed to the board. Copy of
memo attached. There was a discussion about the source water permit, Zone 2 and the
abandoned well at Sohier Street. Lee said that the one area where the Water Department
is weak in is the lack of testing out in the field. Lee said they are looking at the Garden
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
Club for assistance. It was explained that this is a town wide project not a sewer project.
This is being funded by the town to see what needs to be addressed. If it is determined
that there should be additional work,then they would go back to the town for funding.
Carl stated our biggest concern is our surface water. Marc said that he would put
together a letter after the meeting and then that would give everyone time to think about
the subject. Wayne felt it was in the town's best interest to get some sort of testing done.
Secondly as a result of the different studies that there may be structures that should be
installed for disaster device around the pond. This would be the type of things that the
town should do to protect the water supply and the town itself. Marc asked if there are
restrictions on the type of fertilizer that can be used. Lee said there is something in the
bylaws but it is supposed to be reported to the BOH. BOH and Open Space Committee
looked at this closely but if they are with the state there is no enforceability of the Water
Department. Bryan Baldwin adjourned the Sewer Commission meeting at 10:04 am.
Brian Joyce Projects
National Grid is doing pipe replacement starting 9/15 — 11115 in the downtown area.
There is a 1928 gas main going thru the center of town community center to center of
town Brook Street and Elm Street. This will be a 6-8 week project. Work hours are 6:00
pm to 2:00 am. This will be less disruptive. Half of the work will be main replacement,
and then they will lay pipe beside old main. The line will then be pressure tested and if it
passes services will be connected to new main. It will look like they are going down the
road twice. There is an old water main in the downtown area. They are required to do
curb to curb replacement. Brian spoke to Glenn about the water main from 1885 in the
downtown area and he stated back in 2007 when work was done the pipe was in good
condition. Carl said it is cement lined. Brian stated that there are new services and fire
lines which were put in back in 2007. The only issue is the main itself. Carl said that the
final paving will be done next year so we would have time to get funding if necessary.
Jerusalem Road causeway is still in the permitting stages. Brian said it is taking longer
than he thought. They want to raise it 2'. Brian has asked W&C to do a model showing
what will happen if that area is bypassed and water is sent down the new main on Bow
Street.
Bear Hill Tank: Brian& Carl met with Scituate Fire & Cohasset Fire looking to install a
new microwave antenna on the Bear Hill tank which will give some redundancy that will
be advantageous to both towns. Lee wanted to know if there have been any abutters that
have complained. No complaints have been reported. Brian explained that there are two
antennas up their currently. They will be using existing metals. Rolf wanted to know
that with having these additional things on the tank that our expense will be higher due to
the fact that there is nothing in the contracts to help us with painting. Carl stated that the
Capital Plan requires it to be painted in 2017. Carl said that the rust blooms have grown.
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
Raingardens: Brian said that Kate McAlarney and her students have been doing a great
job. Kate said there was one they did last year that they built a wall and this year it is
gone. Kate said that she and the kids are building the wall back up. Brian said he has
ordered loam and stone which will be delivered here to the plant next week. Kate said
that they took an entire week doing one on Arrowwood just cleaning out the trash. Once
it was cleared they found the indicators for each plant. She would like to be able to get
some sort of small fencing to put around it and possibly get a small plaque which gives
the raingardens number and maybe say"Water Department". John then mentioned that
there may be a grant thru the schools. Brian said that there is $7500 budgeted for this
which is not much considering there are 50 raingardens. Brian thought that adopting a
raingarden would be a great idea. Lee said she heard that Avalon donated $70,000 for
raingardens and Lee wanted to know what happened to that money. Brian looked into it
with Mary and there is no account for it. Brian said he would be a little more digging.
Kate is having her students write stories about the raingardens and take pictures. Kate is
hoping to get this into the Mariner.
Lee asked if there was a map with all the raingardens listed. Brian said there is a G1S
system at town hall which lists them. Chris said that they are working to bring on
someone at Con Corn to enforce some of the issues which have been brought up about
dumping.
Lee made a motion to allow Kate McAlarey's students to use the conference room as
long as it is available, 2nd by John, all in favor.
Lee wanted to know why another board received the Water Departments financials before
water did. Chris said they are working on communication but the numbers look good.
John thanked Chris for the assistance with the legal bills.
Conversion from Lime to Sodium Hydroxide
Joe Geary of Woodard & Curran presented the board with a quote for the evaluation and
basis of design for the chemical conversion,this is available upon request. This will be
the engineering costs phase 1. Joe and Carl said that the storage needed is a big issue.
Joe said there are a couple of unknowns. The new form as well as a pilot study. The cost
of Phase 1 is $12,534.00.
Lee and Rolf both agreed that Phase 1 should be started, it has been budgeted. Joe will
get to W&C to have something written so that it can be signed off on to proceed. Joe &
Carl said once phase 1 starts and the engineers are here to have them look at the intake to
see about having the sludge removed.
Water model: Paul Roux's memo is available upon request. Lee asked for an explanation
of WaterCAD vs Water Gems. Lee and the board will speak with Brian Joyce to see
what his preference would be.
Abatements -None
The Abatement policy which John has drawn up a draft copy will be amended to include
that the customer must have repaired the leak in a timely manner and approved by the
Water Department.
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
John made a motion to approve the abatement policy with the necessary changes 2"d by
Rolf all in favor. This will be sent to the Clerk's Office once the changes are made.
Motion made by John to approve the June 18, 2015 minutes 2nd by Rolf all in favor.
Motion made by John to approve and July 8, 2015 meeting notes 2"d by Rolf all in favor.
Joe had a question he was concerned about the 1885 water main going thru the center of
town. He said he thought it might be a good idea to look into replacing the main. Carl
said that gas only goes down 2' whereas the water main is down 5'. Lee would like
someone to determine how many feet of old water main there is. Karen said that the
town is working on a multi town project. This way anytime a road is being opened up all
boards will be notified.
Interconnect meeting next Tuesday, Carl will be in Foxboro for a Water Management Act
meeting. The interconnect meeting will be at the treatment plant here on King Street at
10:00. Rolf said he would attend. John was unsure if he was available. I stated I would
post it just in case both were able to attend.
N 'h th
Next meeting tentatively scheduled for August 18 or 19 Lee will let me know and get
me an agenda to post.
Motion made by Lee to adjourn at 11:40 2"d by Rolf all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Douglas, Recording Secretary
Approved By: Date: -'I t ( 2Q[-5
J4 Steinmetz, Clerk
Cqhasset Board of Water Commissi ers
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org