HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 08/16/2016 Cohasset Water
D E P A R T M E N T Commissioners
S�*Cw w&Y S#w Iwo Rolf N. Gjesteby
Leonora C. Jenkins
John W. Steinmetz
Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street - Treatment Plant
August 16, 2016 @ 9:30 am
Members Present. Rolf Gjesteby, Chairman
Leonora Jenkins, Vice-Chairman
John Steinmetz, Clerk
Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas
Guests Present: Carl Hillstrom, Andrew McDonald(Summer Intern for Brian Joyce)
Brian Joyce, Susan Bruce, Chris Senior, Chief Silvia, Kevin McCarthy, Paul Schubert
Rolf called the meeting called to order at 9:30 this was 2nd by John all in favor.
Drought Advisory
Carl Hillstrom got the readings in the AM. The Reservoir is at 60.33 suspend elevation is
at 60.5 so we are below that. But it is based on release at Bound Brook. Which is at
41.58 suspense elevation is 41" so it needs to be dropped another 7" is needed before we
can release flow. Lily Pond approximately has 40%. Carl calculated August 27th before
they need to go into total restrictions. If we get less than 1.35"then Sept I"we go into
total restrictions. This is based on the drought management plan. Kevin asked how
much we got over weekend, Carl said .55 which keeps us going but we do need the
required 1.35". Kevin asked how Scituate is doing, but we have not received any calls
from them. Kevin asked if we could help them if necessary. John said that if it happens
then it would have to be looked at. John asked if we let them fill up their fire trucks
would that help. Chief said that would last about 4 minutes during a fire. They rely on
hydrants. Brian asked what the max the plant can do, Carl said 2.5-2.6 mgd. Brian
pointed out if we gave them 500-600,000 the plant would be running 24-7. Lee said that
when the well fields are up and running again that will help out. Lee wanted to make
sure that the James Lane project steers the runoff from the roof towards Ellms Meadow.
Lee asked if we had heard from DEP about Ellms Meadow- Joe said that he heard from
DEP yesterday and they once again said they would review this week and get back to us.
Then there was a discussion with Paul Schubert about the lead& copper testing being
done. Brian asked if a pressure test has been done at the hydrant that connects to
Scituate. I explained that Brendan says he knew what the pressure is there. Kevin asked
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
if Hingham has asked for water. They have not asked for any water. Rolf said that
Aquarion has done a lot of work in their system.
Rolf addressed Susan Bruce stating that the department needs a new truck. Lee said that
it was written up in the S year projection. Brian Joyce introduced Susan Bruce,
Procurement Officer for the town of Cohasset,to the board. Lee explained that the
expenditure of anew truck was projected to be done in 2016 but the department did not
have the funds. Brian explained that it is critical expenditure at this point for the
distribution staff. Susan stated that on an average it takes 30 days from time of ordering
to the time it is delivered. John asked if Chris or Paul Schubert could reach out to Sam
Wakeman, Capital Budget. Chris Senior said that their next meeting is in 2 weeks so
even if they are not on agenda they should show up and say the department needs to
purchase the truck. Rolf said that he would attend the Capital Budget meeting on August
29".
Abatements
Mark Sullivan—391 South Main: Lee made a motion to abate $3,014.90 this was 2nd by
John all in favor. In calculating this abatement, the board eliminated the one rainy year
the applicant used in arriving at his `average' use. Lee made a motion to deny the 2nd
request for abatement. The reason for the denial is due to only being allowed one
abatement per household. This was 2nd by John all in favor.
John made a motion to approve 8/11/16 minutes 2nd by Rolf all in favor
Chief Silvia asked the board if they had any questions or issues with the agreement
allowing the Sheriff s Department putting up a dish on the Scituate Hill Water Tank.
Rolf wanted to know if the Water Department would need immediate access to the
building. Chief Silvia said he would get the Water Department a key if they wanted.
Carl said it would not be necessary, we would go through the Fire Department like
everyone else. Chief Silvia again explained the advantage to moving our equipment into
their building would be that it has climate control. The Chief is asking that the Sheriff
Department contact the Fire Department to let them know when they need to get into the
site. John made a motion to approve the memorandum of Agreement between the
Plymouth County Sheriff's Department and the Town of Cohasset this was 2nd by Rolf all
in favor. The only change that was noted was the signature page. It should be changed
from Superintendent of the Water Department to Chairman Water Commission.
Chris reported that Special Town meeting is scheduled for November 28t'. The spring
Town Meeting will be May 1, 2017. Lee said that the board needs to start doing some
financial planning. The money for the Bear Hill tank has been approved for a bond. It is
an advance in lieu of borrowing. Carl said right now the settling tubes in basin#2 are
collapsing. Carl needs to speak with Joe and have someone come out and look to see
what needs to be done. That is an item that needs to be looked at now. The floc basins
also need to be looked at and repaired. Carl explained that the equipment is old. If we
lost that one basin we would lose 40%of the plant. It would have to be an off season
project. John wanted to know what the deadline for Special Town Meeting warrant
articles would be. Chris said 6 weeks, the end of September. Susan said a project like
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-OO57 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
what was described would have to go out to bid. Susan said that if a RFP was issued
there can also be an amendment once it is issued. Carl said the cost to get Ellms Meadow
up and running again would be approximately $60,000. He stated that the majority of the
work could be done in house.
Chris asked if I would send out the notices of any precipitation to those who have been in
attendance.
John asked that at the next meeting Woodard&Curran put documents together as to
what are the priorities for the plant and distribution system as they see it. Susan said an
option in getting an idea about what exactly is wrong with the settling tubes would be for
the board to send out a contract called"Intent to Bid". That would notify the public and
they could come in and possibly figure out the issue. Lee wanted to know if there was a
basis of notification. Susan said for our projects to use Patriot Ledger and it is usually
around $400-$500.00. Susan said anytime it is put in the central register and it would be
pulled by contractor, and this is at no cost to the board.
Rolf wanted to know about the looping of South Main Street to Ledgewood Drive. Carl
said that this has been pushed it off since the treatment plant, lagoons, SCADA etc. are a
higher priority.
Next meeting scheduled for 'Monday, 8129 @ 9:00.
Motion made by John to adjourn the meeting at 10:59, 2nd by Lee all in favor .
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Douglas, Reco i c
a 717 ,
Approved By. Date:
J636i Steinmetz, Clerk
C hasset Board of Water Commi inners
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org