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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 12/17/2019 `Gl4 P O P . . Commissioners 4rink"Sset Waiter RolfN. Gjesteby D E P A R T M E N T Leonora C. Jenkins w o &7*ff* COdZlimmo Sinee_i950 John W. Steinmetz Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners 339 King Street—Water Treatment Plant Tuesday, December 17, 2019 @ 8:30 am Draft Members Present: Rolf Gjesteby, Chairman Leonora Jenkins,Vice-Chairman John Steinmetz, Clerk Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas Guests Present: Joe Geary, Carl Hillstrom, Jason Federico, Sue Cunningham, Sam Wakeman, Brian Joyce John made a motion to open meeting at 8:30, seconded by Lee, all in favor. Public Comment No Public Comment Aaron River Reservoir Graffiti Sue Cunningham came in to discuss with the board the condition of the reservoir. She cleans what she can, but what she can't do is remove the graffiti. She has been doing this for years. Sue would like to connect with the community about cleanup of the area. She would like to do this as a community cleanup,possibly on Earth Day. Lee explained that she for 2 years has been reaching out to have help cleaning up the wellfield area. John wanted to know what exactly she would like from the board. Sue would like to do a presentation to the kids with lots of pictures. She would like to involve the senior class and get something done in the spring. Jason said there are safety issues,even the contractor we just had out there said there were dangers. Sue said she would just look at the areas of the rocks and trees where there would be no danger issues. The board would love to see the area cleaned up. She would like to be guided on how to proceed with this. Jason suggested that Sue reach out to him and he may be able to spear head tying into the North and South River Watershed Association. Samantha Woods would be the contact through them. Water Treatment Roof Contracts been signed waiting for submittals. Jason said they are looking at a start date in spring. 3391Gng Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383.2906 www.cohassetwater.org Dam Maintenance The cracks in the dam have been repaired, still waiting for clearing to be completed. Only thing left is the fish ladder repairs. Phase 1 inspection was completed yesterday. Sludge Removal 1200 tons removed,which was what was removed in 2017 still 300 ton to be removed. Still money left in the budget to finish removal in the spring. It was agreed that a 3rd sludge lagoon is needed. Lee wanted to know why there is so much more sludge. This is due to higher organics and better removal. Carl explained that we are still waiting on the water withdrawal permit to be issued before proceeding with any changes. LED Lighting The lighting replacement will begin this week and should only take a couple of days to complete. Facilities Study Jason is 70%complete with the RFP,he will bring to next meeting for the board to review. Main Breaker Replacement Treatment Plant Joe said that preliminary work is complete. A preliminary quote for$19,750 was supplied by Woodard& Curran, there would also be some engineering costs and also a look at automatic switch quote. This needs to be replaced due to issues with the plant going from generator to National Grid power. This is original equipment and needs to be replaced. THM Results Very high results again in November. John said that is unusual for this time of year and Carl agreed,but Carl said that the organics are still very high. Carl needs to report an EOL report to the DEP. This is not a town wide notification at this point. Carl also told the board that DEP is moving forward with PFAS testing. The guideline would be 20 PPT(parts per trillion). Right now, the level is at 70,this would be reduced to 20. Aquarion tested our water at Whitney Crossing,which resulted at 12 PPT. Proceeding with the GAC will assist in the removal or lowering of PFAS. Testing will be done here and at EUms Meadow. Jason wanted to know if the effluent of the sludge lagoon should be tested as well. Carl foresees testing on sludge in the future. Lee asked about the lead&copper testing for the properties that had high levels of lead. 130 Beach Street was tested again at the kitchen sink and came back as Not Detected. They are not planning on replacing the other fixtures. Fairoaks was looking for a plumber to replace all his fixtures but has not reported back that this has been done. Jason will get a price for putting in the pilot study for PFAS. Rate Study Update Mike Schrader will get a report to the board shortly. Sam Wakeman had concerns about the rate study. It has been stated that the Capital Recovery Charge would go away once the debt rolls off. He suggested that this would be a permanent charge and give a list of the upcoming projects. The board informed him that the name of the charge will be changing. 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org Linden Ponds agreement—October 2023 the agreement will expire. John wanted to know if there was a clause in the contract that if someone else takes over that they cancel. John will review the contract for the next meeting. Rolf wanted to know how much water was still owed to Hingham, Carl said 2.5 million. We are maxing out on how much we can send to Hingham. System Development Fee 390 C J Cushing Highway Jason asked Donald Stasko for the flow data which he did receive. Jason updated some of the information and recalculated. The total connection fee would be $104,175.00. Rolf made a motion to use the guidelines submitted by Jason 2"d by Lee. Brenda will send a letter out to Mr. Stasko requesting updated plans and a check. John had to leave the meeting early due to a family issue. Route 3A Water Main Replacement(Mass DOT) Jason reported that he will be supplying tie cards to the contractor. We will hand draw what we need for service connections,this would be at no cost. This would be included in the package for bid. With the state doing it the board will not have to pay for paving. Financial Don was unable to attend the meeting due to a conflict. Lee thought Don stated the conflict was due to the Sewer Mtg but that had to be rescheduled till the 18'. The board reviewed Don's reports. Lee found on Facebook the schedule for the budget that was supposed to have been sent to all depts on Nov 26 and warrant calendar deadlines that had never been sent to us. It appeared by the schedule that Selectman Kevin McCarthy posted that our budget/warrant articles are due on Thursday this week. Jason said that the lagoons piloting& engineering for activated carbon and Elm Street water main replacement have already been put in for. The board will be unable to do a final budget until the rate study has been complete, and even then, the board will probably have to have a backup budget in case it does not pass at Town Meeting. Lee asked if Carl thought that the Sludge line item should remain at$125K this was agreed upon. Dam maintenance, system maintenance, extraordinary maintenance will need to be looked at based on what the rate study shows. There was a lengthy conversation about Milfoil, and if it should be harvested again next year. It seems to have caused high organics,there may be a possibility that the milfoil was acting as a filter, but no way of knowing. Lee suggested vacuuming the silt from in front of the intake again as we did a few years ago to keep the intake as clean as possible. Carl said that in prior years that did not disrupt the treatment process. Jason suggested using this year's budget to get the new benthic barrier and possibly weed removal from in front of intake via vacuum. The budget line item will be reduced to $50K chemical will increase to $225K. Engineering will be increased to $70,000. Sludge will remain the same. Lee said that we will need to get the debt service for next year as well. Abatementsf Warrants/Minutes Rolf made a motion to approve the November 19, 2019 meeting notes, this was 2"d by Lee,all in favor. 339&g Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383.0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.00hassetwater.org Mr. O'Malley attended the meeting late to ask the board to consider abatement of his 11/1/19 water bill. He had a significant increase in the last quarterly bill to exceed $800. He thought that it might be due to an old toilet leaking. Rolf explained that the board Does not grant abatements for leaking toilets. The board would like the Water Department to go back out and datalog the meter. They will review this again at the January meeting. Sam said if the board is ready, they can come to the Tuesday, January 611 Capital Budget meeting. Sam stated that the board is concerned and wants to make sure that the Water Department doesn't go back to 2007-2008 when there were no operating budget monies to cover expenses. Rolf assured Sam that the Water Department budget is sound, and the monies are clearly available to cover the expenses. Lee reminded him that part of that problem was the school not paying their bills& the town not paying hydrant fees which over time caused a deficit. Joe notified the board that a new Area Manager has been hired to cover Cohasset his name is Fred Rogers. He has 20+years' experience in the water industry. He resides in Connecticut but looking to relocate. Next Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2020 @ 8:30. Rolf made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:44 am this was 2"d by Lee, all in favor. Respectfully Submi Brenda Douglas, c d' g etary Approved By Date: o Steinmetz, Clerk ohasset Board of Watet, ommis 'oners 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 Fax:(781)383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org