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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 02/26/2019 G\4 P O A Cohasset Water John W.rssioners Steinmetz D E P A R T M E N T RolfN. Gjesteby o14\%ETO (,,, Leonora C.Jenkins Wry.\P &"*K f'^ '�w S*m I"Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners 339 King Street— Water Treatment Plant Wednesday, February 26, 2019 @ 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, Don Piatt John made a motion to open meeting at 9:00, seconded by Rolf, all in favor. Public Comment None SCADA Hardware/Software Upgrade—Software, Monitors and Soundbars received still awaiting computers Scituate Hill Water Tank on line last Wednesday,total coliform and VOC testing was done, all came back fine. Communication/SCADA Update—Fall River Electric ordered and received the camera's, PLC's,Radio, and Antennas. They were on site last week reviewing material needs (conduits,cable etc.)to complete the radio and camera installations. Fall River has targeted the end of the month to complete the installation work. The cut overs (PLC Conversions) are now planned to start mid-March; estimate to complete is 1 week. PLC and Radio communication tie in is planned at the end of March. Complete cyber integration is planned March/April. THM Sampling—This was done last Tuesday should get results soon. Upcoming Projects - Flushing program to get an early start this year, with meter reading being done in 2 days, this leaves more time to flush. Cleaning of the PAC Tank is scheduled for this year. There are solids that come out of solution over time. This is a maintenance item. This is a 4500-gallon drum and the operators would have to work out of totes till it is clean; should only take a day. High lift pump#1 needs to be torn down and evaluated. This will probably have to be rebuilt, they will also be inspecting the shaft. 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org ASR—Carl reported that he has completed 80% of the Annual Statistical Report; this just came available on line a few weeks ago. The Annual Statistical report will give us our unaccountable water. Rolf wanted to know about the true up with Aquarion. Carl said the meter is still not working at Linden Ponds, and it would be another month before they will be trued up. Lee wanted to know if it effects the unaccountable water and Carl said no, he only has to report to DEP what is sent to Linden Ponds. The meter is no longer over reading but Carl is going to have it recalibrated. Jason wanted to know if there was money to replace with a Mag meter and get rid of the Venture meter. Carl said that if it still keeps causing an issue then that would be looked into. Venture meters tend to get coated with manganese and Mag meters do not. There are less than 200 meters left to replace. Carl is hoping to get out within the next 2 weeks to start processing sludge. As for the Cedar Street loop Carl would like to see this done in the next fiscal year. Raking of Pond in March and harvesting in June—Carl said he was led to believe it was not good to do it until heavy weed growth. Jason said the raking will be to remove the muck not the weeds. Carl felt it would just stir things up,that the stuff would be too fine to get it removed. Joe asked if the whole purpose of the raking would be to help with the launching of the harvester. Jason said that is exactly right. Then there was a discussion about vacuuming which had been done prior. Carl would like to speak with the contractor to confirm that this will in fact work, he does not feel that it will. Rolf wanted to know if there is a form of fish that would eat the silt. Lee mentioned that in Maine there has been a program to introduce more fish that eat the weeds which also cuts down on silt which is the decomposed weeds. She mentioned that there has been a marked improvement on her lake with the weeds. Then there was a discussion about Jack Buckley's sampling of Aaron River with grant money. Lee was concerned that he does not have the correct equipment to do the testing. Jason said that he does in fact have the correct equipment. Financials Don Piatt-Don said that revenues are looking very good for the year. Revenues are above what were budgeted. System development charges received are already at$60,000, as for Linden Ponds 83% of what was budgeted has been received. Town hydrant charges were just charged in February. $473,238 is available in retained earnings and Don mentioned the$48K in the Tank project with little possibly to be turned back and the $240K in the Dam Repair that hasn't been started. Lee inquired if the $196K from the So Main St loop was included in the $473. Don said no and Jason commented that only a few minor landscape items remained that should be less than $15K leaving approx$180K to be returned to retained earnings if not by ATM then definitely by FY end. Don suggested putting money in the Capital Stabilization Fund instead of Retained Earnings. John would like to only make the priority the roof this time and hold off on the loop on Cedar Street. There was a lengthy conversation about borrowing and the effects of the budget. Don will look at borrowing 400,000 and paying back in 5 years. John asked for options from Don. Lee wanted to know if the reports could be done timelier, by mid-month as had been done under the prior CFO and which was discussed when Don came on board. Don requested instead that the meetings be held toward the end of the month as to give him enough time. Lee reminded him that for the June meeting we needed the information by mid month at the latest so that we could 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org analyze our situation and determine what work was a priority for the remaining funds in the budget. THM Study—Jason said that the study should be in this week and he will have for next meeting. Dam Repairs—Jason has requested 3 quotes on the mowing should be in by the end of week. Lee said that on Earth Day they will be working in the area. Jason met with 3 contractors about the cracks in the dam, hoping to have quotes by next meeting. Aaron River Dam EAP Update—Weston& Sampson are telling Jason that they will be completed May I". State Funding Weed Harvesting Equipment—Jason would like to proceed with the original purchase of this equipment, which is a conveyor to move the harvested weeds from the pond—it can dump the materials on the shore or in a truck. All other quotes came in higher. John made a motion to approve the purchase of the equipment 2"d by Rolf, all in favor. Water Treatment Plant Roof—Jason told the board that he had someone come out to look at the roof. He is waiting on quote for repairs vs. replacement. It was also discussed that the contractor wanted to do an infrared survey ($2,900)to see the actual wet spots. Jason said the board could borrow based on the rate study to get both projects—the loop on Cedar Street and the upper roof done. If the board decides to do the System Restoration Option and not just repair,the contractor stated that it will be guaranteed for 20 years with a renewable warranty. The Replacement Option which is about$90K more has a non-renewable 20 yr warranty. Tank Lease RFP—Jason spoke with Town Counsel& Glenn Pratt to see about getting underground conduit for utilities to Bear Hill Tank. The RFP would be a 20-year lease agreement with T-Mobile Citizens Petition—Jason reported that a citizen's petition has been signed for 25 James Lane. In that petition it states that the owner they will cut and cap the existing water main. Lee noted they have not applied for water permit as well as the new construction on Nichols Road. The easement is not released until the work is done. Jason suggested even realistically not approving the water connection until the work is done and approved by the Water Department. 179 Atlantic Ave. Easement- Tabled till next meeting awaiting letter from Rich Henderson Minutes—Lee made a motion to approve the December 11, 2018 meeting notes, 2"d by John all in favor. Warrants - Warrants were signed off and approved. Abatements are as follows: 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org Moore(101 Fairoaks Lane)-John sees no new evidence in Rich Henderson's letter of any changes that would warrant changing the boards prior denial. The board stated that the Town/Water Department is not liable for vandalism, as was explained by customer, on customer's property. John made a motion to deny 2nd request 101 Fairoaks, 2nd by Rolf,all in favor. Curtis Liquors(790 C. J. Cushing Hwy)—They have not paid the invoice John made a motion to deny due to bill not being paid and the board is not responsible for toilets leaking. John made to deny the request for abatement 2nd by Lee, all in favor. Percy(78 Jerusalem Road)—John voted not to approve the abatement request due to receiving an abatement back in 2012, Rolf agreed with John. John made a motion to deny,2nd by Rolf, all in favor. Greer(17 Hill Street)—John made a motion to deny request due to nonpayment and that it is an internal maintenance issue,this was 2nd by Lee all in favor. Commission Comments Lee then spoke of Earth Day, she has spoken to the group about cleaning up around Ellms Meadow. April 27th will be Earth Day this year. Lee discussed the pollution in the harbor with Health Agent, Pam Fahey and forwarded her information about this ongoing environmental problem and would also like to see about testing in the harbor and possible implications from fundraising(the community)car washes done over storm drains. Next meeting will be March 27' @ 9:00 am. John made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:31 am, 2nd by Rolf,all in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Brenda Douglas,Recording Secretary Approved BDate: 3 pp y '� 7 / Feono(ir'a 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