HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 01/31/2018 �,4 P
Commissioners
Cohasset Water Leonora C. Jenkins
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D E P A R T M E N T John W. Steinmetz
ow"A%ET RolfN. Gjesteby
N So*ff llle Comm ey Since 1950
Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street— Water Treatment Plant
Wednesday, January 31, 2018 @ 9:00 am
Members Present: Leonora Jenkins, Chair
John Steinmetz,Vice-Chair
Rolf Gjesteby, Clerk
Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas
Guests Present: Carl Hillstrom,Joe Geary, Rich Henderson,Jason Federico,Brian Joyce,
Will Moor
Lee called the meeting called to order at 9:00 am., 2"d by Rolf all in favor.
There was a discussion on the Scituate easement. Jason spoke with Art Leventis of
Woodard& Curran who stated there was in the existing easement, but also there are
utilities they need to make sure that the new easement has those utilities included.
Currently SSG is going to have the site surveyed before the town will allow it to be
changed. John stressed that he wanted to make sure that the new easement show all
utilities on it. Rich Henderson said that John Cavanaro would be involved with SSG and
not him. Rich said he would reach out to John.
Easement—179 Atlantic Avenue Richard Murphy
Rich Henderson informed the board that the owner of the property is subdividing the land
and would like to get clean title to the property. He explained that there are no easements
on record with the Registry of Deeds. He does however show deeds with easement to the
Cohasset Water Company, but there is no encumbrance on the site. John would like to
confirm that the site does not have the pipes there anymore. Rich explained that he can't
even go to town meeting since there is no valid easement on site. Brian said he will
speak with Carl Sestito. John asked if there would be any reason not to grant. Carl said
that there would be no reason to keep this. John will look into and review at next
meeting. Owner would like a clean title and is requesting the board write a letter.
Financials
Lee said that the budget for FY2019 cannot be finalized until we get the indirect costs
from the town. Brian will check with Chris and Don. Joe spoke to the board about
339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
getting an additional employee here. Between sludge processing and grounds upkeep
Woodard& Curran have saved the town$30,000 for landscaping and$50,000 for sludge
removal. Joe suggested that if an additional employee was hired they could get more
things done. Putting in meters would also be included. Joe said it would be an
amendment to the contract. Joe stated to the board members that he is concerned about
the age of the staff that they are within retirement age. A new employee could be trained
and get licensed through Woodard& Curran. The board asked that Joe get an
amendment so that the language could be reviewed by the board as well as the Town
Manager. John agreed to consider another employee. Rolf agreed that a formal proposal
be presented and sent to everyone. John suggested voting on a final budget not on the
preliminary. Lee stated that the board needs to submit something right away. Lee
explained how the revenues were budgeted. John made a motion that this is a draft
budget which will be finalized at a later date, all in favor.
There was a discussion about a 3`d wireless company looking to go onto the Bear Hill
Tank. They just want to do a site survey first to see if it is feasible. Brenda will contact
representative and arrange for a site visit.
Mission Statement for the Treasurer was reviewed. Lee found document which states
that we are in charge of all water facilities to manage and improve. Lee made a motion to
approve and will make the change and get the special acts added, all in favor.
Upcoming Projects & Warrant Articles
The board all agreed on the Warrant Article for Scituate Hill Tank, Lee will send out.
Woodard & Curran
Looping S. Main to Ledgewood Farm Drive—The first meeting was last week. They are
projected to get started next week. The contractor estimates 2 weeks of digging then
there would be pressure testing, chlorination. Will Moor, intern for Brian Joyce, will be
onsite doing the inspection on a daily basis. Jason said the neighbors would be notified if
they would not have access to their driveways. Parking restrictions would only be
during the day and not overnight.
Tube Settlers—PO has been approved, 7-12 weeks for fabrication. Jason has reached out
to 3 companies for quotes on installation. Looking at April start and complete in May.
SCADA Communication Upgrade—Ron has put up the fiber on One Drive. Jason
thought it might take up to 9 months to complete.
Verizon Antennas—Carl responded to them directly and said they could proceed. No
other word yet.
Dam Repair—The town did not get the grant. Carl will look to get the repairs started and
encumber monies if possible.
Milfoil—Brian spoke to Weymouth they are concerned with liability staffing. They will
respond to the request via letter/email.
339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
Jason got a quote for$58,000 from Soltitude Lake Management, which includes 33 days
of harvesting, $1750 per day. They would not include disposing of the organics. Lee
then suggested getting our own machine which Brian said it would be $70,000+and then
you would have to look at man hours as well as disposal of the material. Lee suggested
having the reservoir done as well. Carl said that it is prohibited by the state to do
harvesting of this type in the reservoir, it must be hand harvesting or suction.
Brian has reached out to Weymouth to get a breakdown of maintenance costs associated
with the harvester. Jason said that Soltitude Lake Management stated that if they will be
needed then you need to book early, or they will not be available. Brian suggested
looking into the repercussions of removing the milfoil and phan wart. The board
suggested that 10 days of harvesting to be done this summer. Jason will reach out to
Soltitude Lake Management for quote. Lee also mentioned looking into getting a 3rd
lagoon put in.
Brian wanted to discuss with the board about town hall employees being housed at the
plant during the construction of the new town hall. Brian said that all sites are being
looked at so that when it goes to town meeting that the town can say that they have
exhausted every site for availability. Brian said currently it is just fact finding. Lee just
requested that going forward if the board could be included in any decisions.
Abatement Policy
Lee made a motion to approve the water abatement procedures, 2"d by John all in favor.
Annual Report
This is completed Don Piatt will be including the retained earnings with a graph. Lee
made a motion to accept the Annual Town Report as a draft to send in till the Town
Accountant comes up with the retained earnings, 2"d by John all in favor.
Abatement—Paul Tedeschi 191-lobart lane
Paul was traveling and unable to attend. Mr. Tedeschi requested the board call him on
his cell phone. The board felt that Mr. Tedeschi needed to come to a meeting to discuss
the abatement denial.
Rolf made a motion to approve the December 18, 2017 minutes 2"d by Lee all in favor.
Warrants for signed and approved by the board.
Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 28 b @ 9:00.
Rolf made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 am, 2"d by John all in favor
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Douglas, Recording Secretary
Approved By: �'t li _ /ems-- Date:
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