HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - SC - 03/27/2019 AG 4 P
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Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street—Water Treatment Plant
Wednesday, March 27, 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, Wayne Sawchuk,
John Beck, Rick Curtis
John made a motion to open meeting at 9:05, seconded by Lee, all in favor.
Public Comment
Rick Curtis of Curtis Liquors wanted to speak to the board regarding his abatement denial
from the last meeting. He did apologize for not paying the bill prior to the request. He
was upset about the money but more so of the waste of water. He reviewed with his
employees the bill and had Alvin Hollis come in immediately. They had a manager
meeting which Rick set a new precedence that if they notice any type of water issues to
notify him immediately. He asked the board if they would revisit the abatement request.
John told Mr. Curtis that if there are internal issues it is the responsibility of the customer
and he would not reconsider his position. Lee concurred with John on his decision to
deny, she did say that the new technology does help but it is still new. Rick thanked the
board for their efforts. John made a motion to deny the request,2"d by Lee, all in favor.
Attorney Richard Henderson presented the board a letter with an amended letter which
was written previously regarding 179 Atlantic Avenue. John wanted to make it clear that
clarifies that the board does not have the authority to abandon easements. Rich will get
the letter back to Brenda who will have it signed by the board and get it back to him.
SCADA Hardware/Software Upgrade is being programmed in the Andover Office. Steve
Rose will be in the office tomorrow and Friday to complete.
Communication SCADA Upgrade
Joe reported that TCS Communications will be on site the 26'to configure the radios.
Fall River Electric is preparing for the radio and PLC cut overs on the 28'h and 29"'.
Woodard& Curran is prepared for the PLC conversions and will be onsite on the 28'h and
29'h for the cut overs. PLC and Radio communication is planned to be complete on the
339 IGng Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
29'h. After the PLC and Radio conversion is complete,we'll plan the Video install. That
is tentatively planned for mid to end of April. Cyber integration is also planned to be
complete by the end of April. Lee asked if by June that ComCast can be disconnected.
Joe said yes, we will wait to make sure everything is working properly before cancelling.
THM Sampling
Joe reported testing went very well and received good results.
Wayne Sawchuk, Board of Sewer Commission,came to review the monthly fee that they
are being charged for billing services. He indicated that no other members of his Board
were attending this meeting. Wayne Sawchuk thanked the board for updating the meters.
There was a discussion about doing another upgrade to the hardware so that customers
could see usage records daily.
Wayne wanted to know what the Board's intention was for the increase in rates,the
agreed to annual 2 ''/z%that the Sewer Commission never paid. The sewer commission
believes that the board is making money on deductible meters. Lee reminded him that
while our Board was under contract with American Water they determined the charges to
Sewer based on their actual time determination of their employees,which was much
higher and Sewer never paid any fees for services for over a yr between the end of the
American Water and the beginning of the W&C Contracts. At which point Lee went
before Sewer and renegotiated a 30%reduced rate with a 2 '/2% annual increase.
Unfortunately,the Sewer Board lost the minutes of that public meeting. He believes there
should be some sort of reduction in the monthly charge. John asked if Don could do an
independent analysis since the boards cannot agree. Don felt that if he did it that
someone will not be happy with him. John stated that no resolution will be made today
and asked Don to speak with Chris directly to help with a procedure to get this rectified.
Upcoming Projects
Meter Reading next week then flushing thereafter.
Clean PAC Tank—Clean Harbors has been hired and should be here next week.
Pumps—High lift pump #1 should be removed for rebuilding in the next few weeks.
ASR—Due April 12', reporting 9% unaccountable, last year was 12% and 66 gallons per
person, 65 is the limit.
Flow meter replacement—Carl is awaiting the last bid; he estimates $17,000 for the cost
of replacement.
Sludge Processing—Carl has started to transfer. He will call Solid Waste Solutions to
remove sludge&bag. He is hoping the sludge will go to Connecticut, Scotts Fertilizer.
Lee asked about the true up with Hingham. Carl expects to be caught up by the end of
April.
Financials (Don Piatt)
Jason reported that he spoke with a Yd party person to do the rate study. Don's concern if
he and Jason did the rate study that some people in town would frown on it. Chris Senior
then showed up and John requested that he work with Don to try and come up with a
solution for the sewer billing. Secondly,John brought up the rate study that needs to be
done, and that the capital recovery charge will not be going away.
339 tong Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.00hassetwater.org
Chris says it good business practice to have a 3rd party look at and do the rate study.
Monday the budget will go back in front of Capital Budget then on Tuesday in front of
the Selectmen.
John Beck then arrived not knowing that Wayne had already spoken to the board. John
wanted to know what Wayne's issue was. Lee explained that Wayne would like monies
from the irrigation meters. John feels that they should pay for services rendered. John
would like to know if Brenda is spending as much time as is being charged. He says that
the 2nd meter charge is a different issue. If it is just a fee,then it is what it is. John Beck
thought that all 2nd meters were deductible. It was explained to John about the two types
of meters that are in the system.
Chris needs a vote on letter regarding the Citizens Petition. Jason said that he spoke
contractor and he needs to speak with Brenda
Dam Repairs—Jason has 3 quotes, low bidder J&M out of Hingham. They were %the
price per square yard. Jason would like authorization from the board to proceed, and the
board agreed.
State Funding Weed Harvesting Equipment(Raking of Pond—Since he has his operator's
license, Mr.Jenkins has been kind enough to volunteer to run town owned backhoe,but it
has come to light that there would be a liability issue. We now have 2 months before we
proceed due to sampling being done in the pond.
Water Treatment Plant Roof—Jason would like the board to approve$2,984 to do the
infrared(moisture survey)on the roof of the treatment plant. John made a motion to
approve 2nd by Lee all in favor.
Tank Lease RFP—RFP has been sent out. T-Mobile and US Wireless have already
responded. Part of the RFP includes running of the conduit from tank down to Pleasant
street to get rid of overhead wires.
Financials—Don reported to the board that 77%of budget has already reached. He felt
that at the end of the year will be at a positive balance. There was a review of capital
projects that can be liquidated.
John said that he heard that the town would be putting the sewer budget together going
forward. John would be open to it going forward. There were issues with Sewer and the
towns numbers not meshing. Chris said that water is collaborating well with the town
and it would not be necessary for anyone else to put the budget together.
Next meeting Tuesday April 231,this will be the interconnect meeting. Selectmen's
meeting on April 9d'will be a discussion for the Hingham Water acquisition.
Abatements/Warrants/Minutes
94 Border Street—Lighthouse Keepers requested abatement of their 2/1/19 water bill.
Lee noted that 2 garden clubs that maintain different parts of the location put in the
different irrigation systems. One used the drip system. The board felt that it is up to the
customer to maintain their irrigation systems, and since the usage kept increasing it
should have been addressed before it got that high. They also questioned if the leak had
339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
been found and fixed. John Steinmetz made a motion to deny 2nd by Lee Jenkins, all in
favor.
Greer abatement requested it to be looked at again now that his bill has been paid. John
made a motion to deny 2"d by Rolf all in favor.
John made a motion to approve the February 26, 2019 meeting notes, 2"d by Rolf all in
favor.
John had to leave at 10:58.
Lee then spoke about cleaning up of Cushing Road around Ellms Meadow. Jason said
that on Earth Day they will be cleaning up the area.
The Board thought that the fees scheduled should be updated considering all the changes
and development going on. Jason will review the Water Department rate fees and seeking
out other towns rates.
Lee said Glenn Pratt would like to see a Conservation Restriction on the property that the
town just bought on 3A. Brenda said that Glenn plans oncoming to the next meeting.
Jason said that they are looking to swap properties with Conservation for a lot up the
street a bit, the land farther down 3A would be better to build on rather than the one on
3A @ Pond.
Rolf made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:12 am, 2"d by Lee.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Douglas,Recor ' ecretary c,
'J(Approved By: 4' Date:
Jerk
Co asset Board of Water Commiss e s
339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025
Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org