HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 10/25/2017 G4 O
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Commissioners
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Cohasset Water Leonora C. Jenkins
vf' 1W D E P A R T M E N T John W. Steinmetz
RolfN. Gjesteby
N.„ "the Contnnario Sioux 1950
Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street— Water Treatment Plant
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 @ 9:00 am
Members Present: Leonora Jenkins, Chair
John Steinmetz, Vice-Chair
Rolf Gjesteby, Clerk
Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas
Guests Present: Dennis Johnsky, Paul Sullivan, Carl Hillstrom, Steve Olson
Lee called the meeting called to order at 9:03 am., 2"d by John all in favor.
Public Comment
Dennis Johnsky just moved into town in July from Connecticut. He wanted to speak with
the board about the Capital Recovery Charge. He was shocked when he got his first bill.
Lee explained the background to the Capital Recovery charge and how it came about.
Rolf stated at that time 40 million was borrowed. Lee explained that as the town
consolidates the debt that the charge could be reduced or if more monies are needed to
build a new plant that it could go back up again. Dennis suggested having the fee
disclosed to prospective buyers. The board does not know how that they could do that.
Rolf stated it would be up to the Real Estate agents to notify of this charge.
Paul Sullivan from the James Lane project site came to speak with the board. He would
like to use a credit for the next building then the last building will use the final credit.
The board agreed to Paul's proposal. Rolf asked with all the rain how the site was. Paul
said that Site Pro was on site to assist with the drainage. It should be completed by next
week. There was a discussion about paving and Paul stated that an overlay will be done
shortly. Paul said that there will be berms from site to Pleasant Street. He also said that
they would be putting in No Parking signs.
Interconnect Meeting Linden Ponds &Aquarion Water Company
Steve Olson said that Linden Ponds is growing and their water usage has increased.
Steve has reviewed the contract which is a 20 year, Carl said it is up in 2023. Steve
would like to see if there would be an option of purchasing water from Cohasset. Carl
said that the contract states up to 306,000 gallons per day to sell Linden Ponds. Steve
wanted to know if we had water to sell. Carl said that we are permitted for X amount and
we are close to that amount. Lee asked if we could go to the state and change our permit,
which Carl said that they could do that. Currently they are using a little over 100,000 a
339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel:(781)383.0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
day. The board explained to Steve that currently they have a contract with Scituate to
supply them water in a drought but that is only a 2-year contract and there is only 1 year
left. Steve told the board that they had drilled 5 spots for a well with no success. They
also looked at MWRA but their water is not really compatible like Cohasset is. John
asked how much Aquarion was looking for Steve said 150,000-200,000 gallons a day.
Steve then discussed with the board about their conservation efforts with replacing toilets
and giving $250.00 for those getting new front load washers that are high efficiency.
Lee then asked about the court case with Hingham wanting to purchase them back. It is
in the appellate court and it could be decided in a month of two. Lee then asked about
Eversource purchasing Aquarion. All should be decided by end of year.
Next interconnect meeting scheduled for Jan 16, 17, 23, or 241h Brenda will email John
Amonte suggesting it be at Linden Ponds. Steve informed the board that flushing was
completed in Cohasset last night.
Woodard & Curran
Carl reported that Bound Brook Gate is still not working. Brian Joyce is working with
the towns attorneys and NEBB to get the gate to go down completely. Woodard &
Curran has been maintaining the level in the Lily Pond with the underdrain at the
Reservoir being open. After the rain over night it has come up 2" which makes it easier
to maintain the flow.
Looping S. Main Street to Ledgewood Farm Drive
Next Wednesday/Thursday boring will be done. Silt sock is in and the trees have been
removed. The contractor will have to work within the 20' easement. Kyle Carlson of 3
Gannett pasture extension called and wanted to have area loomed and seeded after
construction is complete. Carl told him that we were putting in wood chips and if he
wants something else he would have to meeting with the board. Carl said that the project
should go out to bid from Brian Joyce within the next week. This will have to be
advertised in the central register for a couple of weeks. Carl is hoping to get the work
done during the winter months.
Dam Grant
Still waiting on DER
Harvester
Nothing to report. Lee asked Carl if it's a good time of year, Carl said mid-summer is
when Duxbury does it. Carl said that it seems that things are dying down, so probably
not. Brian Joyce has not heard back from Weymouth, and has left several messages.
Brian Joyce then texted that he could not make meeting. He asked if someone from the
board would be attending the Board of Selectmen's meeting tonight. The board was
unaware that there was a meeting but Lee stated she would attend.
Lee asked if we were flushing, Carl said that with the water being so low it will have to
wait until Spring. The only flushing this fall will be King Street.
339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383.2906 www.cohassetwater.org
Commission Discussion
Changes to Financial Report
Lee spoke with Dan Piatt the new Finance Director and she would like more up to date
information.
Contract Revisions with Verizon
John suggested to approve the changes, John made a motion to approve the 1 st
amendment of the tower lease agreement 2"d by Rolf, all in favor. John asked that I
contact Verizon and get a final copy so that the board could sign. John moved to modify
motion contingent on Chris Seniors review, 2"d by Rolf all in favor.
Abatement Request
Tom Hamilton of 18 Elm Street requested that the unmetered unit charge be waived from
the property. John recused himself from the vote. Rolf made a motion to approve the
abatements this was 2"d by Lee.
Rolf made a motion to approve meeting minutes dated September 28, 2017 this was 2"d
by John, all in favor.
Rolf made another motion to approve the October 5, 2017 meeting notes this was 2"d by
Lee all in favor.
John asked Carl about the sodium level at Ellms Meadow he would like to discuss this at
next month's meeting. He would also like to discuss protentional solutions to TTHM
issues. John asked that Carl remind Joe for the next meeting.
There was a discussion about unaccountable water which has been at 12%. Carl told the
board that Greg Pyburn will be in Friday evening to do leak detection of the entire town.
The board discussed the water main break on Atlantic Avenue. The board would like to
charge the contractor back for the cost of the break.
Lee asked if Ray Tehranian, 71 Nichols had been in contact about the $5000 fine that was
sent to him by certified mail. He had not reached out as of yet. The board said that he
will have to pay the fine before the application fee is accepted.
Next meeting will be Tuesday,November 28`s @ 9:00 am.
Lee made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 am, 2"d by John all in favor
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Douglas, Recording Secretary
Approved By: <' Date: l2 2 Lr�
RolfN. Gjesteby, Clerk
Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org