HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 11/15/2016 (2) Cohasset Water
D E P A R T M E N T Commissioners
Smrrji�the Owmod Since 1950 Rolf N. Gjesteby
Leonora C.Jenkins
John W. Steinmetz
Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street - Treatment Plant
November 15, 2016 @ 9:00 am
Members Present: Rolf Gjesteby, Chairman
Leonora Jenkins, Vice-Chairman
John Steinmetz, Clerk
Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas
Guests Present: Carl Hillstrom,Joe Geary, Nate McLaughlin, Brian Joyce,Mary
Gallagher, Chief Bob Silvia,
Motion made by Rolf to begin meeting at 9:04 am, 2°d by Lee.
Roof is complete,commission signed off on the warrant for payment,but it will not be
submitted to the Finance Department until Brian Joyce does the final inspection. There is
a section of the upper roof that needs to be addressed but this is only a maintenance item.
Carl is getting quotes.
VFD Replacement has been complete and the factory rep and W&C engineer came in last
week for final inspection and training. Both VFD's are working and passed inspection.
There is a small glitch to prevent water hammer. Steve Rose will be looking into this.
Bear Hill Tank—There are some areas inside tank that need to be addressed and that
should be completed next week. There was a delay due to birds covering the already
power washed and primed top of tank. The work to be done inside that tank will have to
be a change order.
Ellms Meadow—Joe reported that Carl said he is hopeful to be all set next week. The
board would like DEP to be notified so that we are not waiting a month or so to get the go
ahead to start up. Lee asked about the radio and cameras. Joe said that final numbers
should be in next week for the cost.
Caustic conversion—Work has commenced, the forms are in for the containment area
and the concrete has been poured. The board wanted to know what would be done with
the excess line. Nate McLaughlin of Woodard & Curran suggested giving it to a
neighboring town. Lee suggested maybe Holly Hill Farm.
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781)383-0057 Fax: (781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
Master Plan—Nate McLaughlin gave a little bit of background to where he is located in
Bangor Maine. He explained that there are known issues which he will address such as
lagoon size, disinfection byproduct, age of plant, organics etc. He explained that when
you have some known issues he look at the entire process at the plant. Making sure the
size of the plant has capability for years or decades. Electrical, piping looked at and
hydraulic model will be upgraded as well. John stated that the big issue is the plant is old
what is going to happen 5—10 years ago. The town wants a heads up if we need to
replace the plant and what would be the cost. Rolf said that we are currently paying off a
$29M. Lee wanted to know why they were not looking at the distribution system. Lee
said that there are other issues outstanding such as dredging, Cushing Road replacement,
looping of Ledgewood Drive to South Main Street. Nate said that when the hydraulic
model is updated that would be part of it as well.
Recommendations will be broken down and dollar figures will be assessed as well. John
reiterated that even if this plant lasts 15 years what would be the projection of a new
plant. They would look at when the water withdrawal permit expires and forecast
through then. John reviewed the report from Nate and questions the $65,000 he wanted
to know if this was the standard based on the size of the community. He said it is based
on our community size. Lee questioned the cost for the master plan. There has been a
30% increase from the original quote from 4 years ago the quote was $50,000. John
wanted to know the time frame, Nate said 16 weeks from beginning to end. The end
product would be a large report with all the data including the costs. John requested that
the current report be revised to include more of the distribution and also include a copy of
a completed report so the board has an idea of what to look for. The board wants to make
sure the scope of the work is what they are looking for.
Sludge Removal—Lee said that originally Paul said we could do the removal every other
year. Carl said that the removal process is much better now and we have more sludge.
The population has increased and is expected to increase processing with the expansion
of Linden Ponds. The bag that is currently in place is only supposed to be 9' high, we are
currently approximate 7.5'. Carl said it will go down during the winter but it will not last
another season. Lee asked about getting a cheaper price for the sludge removal. Carl
supplied them with an email from Nate Little of Woodard &Curran.
There was a discussion about the testing done this summer, results have still not been
tabulated and put together.
Brian and Carl arrived at meeting; they had just come from an Emergency Management
meeting. Emergency Management wanted to know if in the case of an emergency if they
would have access to see the monitoring of Bear Hill, Scituate Hill and Elims Meadow.
It was explained that the sites would be recorded and not in real time.
Chief Silvia then addressed the board. They want to make sure that the communications
of our sites are linked to the microwave ops and the fiber optics. Chief Silvia has to have
a conversation with Ron Menard. Chief said there is a pole on Mass DOT land and a
conduit has been placed there. The town would need to be get permission from them and
possibly run from there back to the tank to the Fire/Police Department.
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781)383-0057 Fax: (781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
Chief would like to proceed with getting all the communication in the new building. The
electricians would like to put in a larger conduit. The sheriffs would like to put in an ice
bridge. It's a bunch of metal posts going from point A to point B. This way it is not
buried and there would be easy access to the lines and easily accessible if there was
maintenance to be done. The Chief would like the blessing of the board to put in these
posts. The microwaves will always remain on the top of the tank. The other will be
moved. The antennas may move. John stated that if the pole in not going to impede the
workings at the tank that we should just let them proceed with. Lee was concerned that if
there was a catastrophic event that it would reduce the access area. Carl said that it looks
like the Scituate Hill Tank will need to be painted next year. This can still be done but it
would impede painting. Lee said it could increase the cost when painting the tank. Chief
said that if the Board wants the conduit he will go back to them and tell them to put in the
conduit. Chief will go back to them and tell them that due to maintenance issues they
would prefer the 12" conduit being put in.
The board then had a very lengthy discussion of different treatment plants ie: MIEX and
ozone.
John made motion to approve meeting notes of October 18, 2016, 2"d by Lee all in favor.
Abatements: Sara Meehan 294A Jerusalem Road -John made a motion to approve
$623.42this was 2"d by Lee, all in favor.
McKinnon 384 Jerusalem Road -was tabled till February meeting.
Craigie Zildjian 140 Beach Street -John made a motion to deny the request to waive the
$250.00 water ban fee this was 2"d by Lee.
8 James Lane—the Board discussed with Brian how the contractor is not meeting the
boards requirements. They discussed snow removal and the pitch of the roof. Brian will
go on site to check out the roof and drainage.
Lee then asked Brian about the testing done this summer and when the results would be
available. Brian stated that the consultant and Jack Buckley's group are putting the
information together about the testing done this summer and it could be several weeks
before complete.
Budget
Mary explained the trial balance report to the board members she stated that collections
are at 96% for FY2016 and 94% for FY2017 and this includes only the 8/1/16 billing.
November 1, 2016 billing is not due till December 151.
Lee asked that Mary give some projections so that they can start working on the FY2018
budget. Lee asked if Carl thought that the system maintenance budget line item should
be increased. They might not borrow due to the interest rate going up to 2% since the
election. I reminded everyone that the Capital Recover charge will reduce next fiscal
year.
Next meeting will be Tuesday, December 13`h at 8:45 am.
339 King Street,Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781)383-0057 Fax: (781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
Rolf made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:29 am this was 2°d by Lee all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Douglas, Reco i e r t y
Approved By: h N Date: Z 17
JO#Steinmetz, Clerk
C hasset Board of Water Commiss' rs
339 King Street, Cobasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org