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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 12/11/2018 oners -A Cohasset Water Johnw lSt inmetz D E P A R T M E N T Rolf N. Gjesteby '''om\sscr Leonora C.Jenkins wN ^' Serzw the Crm u my sww 1950 Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners 339 King Street— Water Treatment Plant Tuesday, December 11, 2018 @ 9:00 am Members Present: John Steinmetz, Chairman Rolf Gjesteby, Vice-Chairman Leonora Jenkins, Clerk Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas Guests Present: Joe Geary, Carl Hillstrom, Jason Federico, Jon Grant—W&C,David Bigley&Alex White,via conference call: Chief Silvia, Ali Black-Verizon Payments, Michael Freeman - Design Team Verizon, Sonia Baker—RE Mgr Verizon, Wayne Midland—RE Specialist for MA Verizon and Michael Kramer—Network Design Capacity Verizon John called the meeting called to order at 9:00 am.,2"d by Lee all in favor. Verizon Conference Call Chief Silvia spoke about no coverage in many areas, mostly along Jerusalem Road and also Atlantic Avenue. John asked if Verizon is doing anything to correct the issues relating to safety issues. Customers cannot contact 911 without a land line. John asked that Jason follow up with Michael directly. John stated that they cannot do any more amendments to the contract until this issue is addressed. Michael said that they need a location supplied by the town to put up an antenna. Further discussions tabled till the next meeting David Bigley & Alix White—25 James Lane John said he received a letter from their attorney, and he has reviewed. John stated that they do not have the authority to give up an easement unless brought to a town meeting. Mr. Bigley asked if the Atlantic Ave letter was different from their issues. John said that it is, he would like to do this the appropriate way. The board has been advised that if there is an easement expressed or implied that it has to go to Town Meeting. John does not want to exceed the borders of his authority. This would have to wait till April Town Meeting. Mr. Bigley asked if they could vote on it today, John said not until the warrant article is written and then it is reviewed by Town Counsel before any vote can be done. Jason explained that the pipe on the property will need to be cut and capped at both ends. Lee reminded the Begley's that this was the same advice they were given when they came before the Board at the Aug 22 meeting where we would put the matter on a Warrant Article for the December Special Town Meeting. Mr. Bigley said when they left 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.Gohassetwater.org that meeting they ran into attorney Henderson who told them a Town Meeting Vote was not needed. Alix White requested to be on the next agenda. Financials—Don Piatt FY2020 Budget—Lee stated that there were a few changes to the Capital Recovery Charge. Next year there will be a minimal increase to the charge. Lee reviewed with Don how the numbers were calculated for the 2020 budget. Rate Study—Lee stated that they are going into the last year of the rate study, so the board needs to look at doing another rate study. Don said that most are looking for the charge to go away. Don read the rate study and it states that the Capital Recovery should cover debt service as well as future capital projects, but it does not. Lee told him that town appointed Water Study Group never planned for the charge to cover the entire debt. Don suggested having a flat charge for the Capital Recovery. John said that the board needs to town meeting and a study needs to be done to assess where the plant stands. Carl reported that USGS study will be done in the spring, once we get the results that will show where the Water Commission needs to go in regard to treatment. This all relates to the EPA permit. The new permit will have stricter rules associated with it. Joe said that it will have strict guidelines on aluminum. Which is what our chemicals have in them. The aluminum gets processed back to the sludge lagoon and eventually goes into the pond. An estimate to the this would be $50K-$75K. Jason said that if you are doing proactive planning on this that the Capital Budget Committee would be on board with it. Carl said the last master plan was in 1996. Jason will check with Chris to see if this can go to Fall Town Meeting. Capital Projects 2020—Lee asked Jason if the Water Commission could go to a dealership to purchase the new truck. He stated that the board can go to a dealership, as long as the dealership will go with the state bid. Reports for Forecasting Under Financials—Lee wanted to make sure that going forward that the board would receive revenue reports with columns indicating budget, billed amounts and receivables that distinguish between current and prior years ( going back years) to track trends, add accuracy to future budgets and aid in rate projections for capital spending. She feels it is necessary to treat the Water Enterprise Fund as a business run on a cash basis. Jason Federico Scituate Hill Water Tank Painting- Yesterday as they were getting ready to demobilize a panel of paint fell of the ceiling. Jason would like to get the inspector back out and asked Forbes for additional quote to do more. There is only$60K left in the Capital line item so it cannot exceed that amount. John made a motion to approve Scituate Hill Water tank additional inspection 2"d by Lee all in favor. THM Study—The lab has samples and Jason is hoping to get results in the next week. Lee said she spoke with someone about having high THM's at their home. John said that the customer could come in and speak with the board directly. 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org Dam Repairs—Bids came in extremely high. Jason explained that the engineering firm that prepared the specs included a much higher level of work than is needed and which required gov mandated training. It was suggested that since most of the work is landscaping that it(This) should be rebid separately. This will be redone in house. A resident complained about the graffiti out there and asked if the Water Department would clean it up. Brenda will have Brendan & Connor go out cover up. Aaron River Dam EAP Update—Jason is working on the language with Pare Engineering.. Cedar Street Loop—Jason received a quote from Cavanoro Engineering and Morse Engineering now waiting for a quote from surveying contractor. Weed Harvesting Update - $35,000 was received from the state. Katie Holden from Open Space used to run the Weed Harvester. She told Jason that it would be a very bad move to purchase one. Jason is looking into getting a conveyor to assist the harvester in and out of the pond. He is also looking at a weed rake. Jason is going to look into different ways to spend the$35,000. Woodard & Curran Automation—This has been tested out,the shutting down part of it is working well. New employee has been hired and started today. Hardware/Software Upgrade—Jon Grant explained that it is not so much the cost of the computers but the licenses for the upgrade to the hardware, which is a sole source. Abatements/Warrants/Minutes Rolf made a motion to approve the October 25, 2018,this was 2"d by John, all in favor. Rolf made another motion to approve the November 14, 2018,this was 2"d by John all in favor. The board received a request for abatement from Mary Brennock at 35 Oak Street. She was requesting abatement of her November 1, 2018 water bill. John made a motion to approve the abatement in the amount of$148.19 this was 2"d by Rolf, all in favor. Warrants were signed and approved by the board. Commission Comments— Lee went to Town Meeting last night and the Water article was approved. She also brought up the fact that the town is trying to purchase a property on 3A across from Johns Car Care. Chief Silvia told Lee that there is a possibility of 4 bays and offices above to be put on the property. She was concerned that this is wetlands and the property extends to King Street with water flowing directly into Lily Pond. John made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:26 am,2"d by Rolf, all in favor. Next meeting Tuesday or Wed 1/22 or 1/23 Brenda will send an email out to Steve Olson and John Amonte to check their availability for the interconnect meeting next month. 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org Respectfully Submitted, Brenda Douglas, Recording Secretary o Approved By: Date: �C — �"� Date: Leonora C. Jenkins, Clerk Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org