HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 07/22/2019 Cohasset Water
= _ D E P A R T M E N T Commissioners
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Leonora C.Jenkins
Daniel M. Varney
Rolf N. Gjesteby
Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street—Water Treatment Plant
July 22, 2014 @ 3:30 pm
Members Present: Leonora Jenkins, Clerk
Daniel Varney
Rolf Gjesteby
Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas
Guests Present: Carl Hillstrom, Matthew Oberg, Glenn Pratt, Karen Quigley, Chris
Senior
Motion made by Lee seconded by Rolf to call the meeting to order at 3:30 all in favor
Matthew Oberg came to the board to request approval to do an Eagle Scout project. He
would like to put in a wooden bench, and a sign which shows the trails up at Aaron River
Reservoir. He would also be cleaning up the area of broken glass. Glenn thought it was
a good idea. Lee stated that town engineer Brian Joyce thought it was a great idea as
well. Rolf wanted to know what he was going to do with the broken glass and garbage in
the area. Matthew stated he would remove completely from the site. Lee wanted to
know when he expected to start and Matt stated he would like to start immediately.
Glenn asked if this would cost any monies and Matt stated that he would get donations.
Glenn then suggested that he contact The Trustees of the reservations he will e-mail a
contact name and number to possibly assist in the maps. Lee asked for Matt to do a
before and after picture. Matt wanted to know if there was a letter he needed. Lee stated
that the board would compile a letter and e-mail it out to him if it was necessary.
Glenn Pratt—Review of Conservation Restriction & Linden Ponds Contract
Glenn presented the board with a map which showed the parcels of land purchased over
the past 10 years. Glenn stated that the monies to purchase the land came from many
areas, close to 4 million was spent. The trustees got involved early on. The conservation
would put on restrictions. The trustees who are experts on trusts have formal and rigid
rules for compliance. Out behind the pond there are narrow strips of land,turns out that a
number of them were taken tax title back in the 1800's by the town. This cannot be
proven at this time. The areas were all surveyed. Glenn has now stated that Scituate has
backed out and they have now approached the Cohasset Conservation Trust to hold it.
Glenn stated he has been working on this for 10 years so he is anxious as anyone to get
this completed. He stated there is still more legal work but it should not be much more.
Rolf wanted to know where Cohasset stood on the issue. Glenn stated they are
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
considering it. The water commission holds a land restriction in west Scituate. The
restriction does say if they want to put a Water Department up there that would be fine.
If they wanted to put a DPW that would be another story. Lee was concerned with the
cost. She stated bills have been coming in since she got on the board. Glenn suggested
talking to town manager about sharing the cost since some of the land the Water
Department owns and some is owned by the town.
Linden Ponds—
Lee stated that Aquarion has been drawing water when their tanks get too low. Carl
stated that it's between 6 & 7 million that they have drawn. Lee stated that people have
stated they are concerned. Glenn stated that it has been as high as 18 million and we true
up in the winter. Lee wanted to know about selling water to Aquarion. Glenn said that
there is nothing in the contract that states we charge them. The board brought up the
subject of taking over N. Cohasset. Lee stated that people think that when Hingham
takes over they are going to let us go. We would have to increase our water withdrawal
when we did this before it cost $345,000.00. Currently our permit is under review and
will be due October of this year. Glenn said that when they increased the withdrawal
permit it took 3 years. The Linden Ponds agreement is a 20 year agreement with a certain
year to be reviewed possibly 10 years. This would have to go back to town meeting to
extend another 10 years. Carl said he would review the contract to see when it was up for
review.
Sailing Club Project - Glenn stated that the board should make sure a hydrant be put in at
the Sailing Club. This way there is a blow off.
Ideas for Revenues
Glenn suggested a rate study be done before going to town meeting. The last one was
done by Dave Russell. Lee stated that she has asked the Assessor's office to give her a
list of dwellings with multiple units. Lee stated she is looking into possibly changing the
capital recovery charge for multi units with 1 meter.
Glenn had one other comment after 9/11 there were restrictions one of which is that the
plant should be visible from the street and not blinded by all the trees. He suggested that
the water department clear the trees.
Riingardens—Brenda reported that the kids of the CSCR are working on the raingardens.
They started last week and have been here and are now working on King Street.
Ellms Meadow Signage—As of today 4 signs have been put in. One sign is opposite
Norfolk road. The other sign is at the corner of Cushing into James Lane. Another is at
the entrance to Ellms Meadow and lastly one across from 11 James Lane. Lee wanted to
put up cameras and Rolf suggested we wait and see if the signage helps. Lee looked
them up and found them to be on$60.00. Lee asked Chris Senior if the DPW could assist
in the cleanup. Chris stated that to protect the area do what is necessary possibly put up
some sort of a fence. Lee suggested having the boy scouts do some sort of community
service and help us out. We could ask the DPW to lend us a dump truck to throw the
garbage into.
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org
James Lane Project
Lee has no idea where the project is going. Her main concern is that the Planning board
did give out permission to move forward. Lee wants to make sure that there is no
blasting and that the main is looped.
RFP—Lee wants to look into getting at least a 5 year agreement in place. Chris stated if
the board wants to have a conversation about combining water/sewer that he would
organize that. Chris also stated that if the boards want to have one company run both
sites that should be discussed as well. Lee does not want to get locked into a 15 year.
Chris will have Brian Joyce involved with the round table. Lee wants to make sure
included in the RFP is a bill to the sewer department for Brenda's services. Chris stated
that all could be discussed at the meeting.
Cathy Witkos e-mail:
Cathy Witkos of 69 Elm Street requested the board to test her water at her home as well
as her son's school, Osgood, for MTBE. Mrs. Witkos in her e-mail stated that her son
had some urine tests done as part of a medical exam. When the results came back they
found metabolite in it. Lee suggested testing the school and seeing how that works out.
Mail results to owner and Peggy Chapman at the Board of Health. Carl stated that the
testing over the past 2 years showed no detectible amounts. Carl then said that he would
schedule the testing for next week.
Water levels are good. The guys are checking the levels manually at the well. They are
replacing the monitor.
Then Lee asked Chris how the milfoil grant was going. Chris stated that it has not been
funded yet but he will look into it.
Lee heard there were homeland security monies available for water systems. Carl stated
he would talk to Paul and see if any are available to Cohasset.
Abatement--David &Julie Keefe 26 Atlantic Avenue were approved for abatement in
the amount of$1,246.84.
Warrants were signed and approved by the commission.
Motion made by Rolf to adjourn 2nd by Lee.
Meeting adjourd at 5:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Douglas, Recording Secretary
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Approved By: Date: / V//ZG/y
Rolf Gjesteby, Clerk
Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners
339 King Street, Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025
Tel: (781) 383-0057 Fax: (781) 383-2906 www.cohassetwater.org