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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - WC - 01/19/2021 .b6 PPff Commissioners Cohtsset Water Leonora C. Jenkins D E P A R T M E N T Stephen M. Girardi k°M �o John W. Steinmetz S the Conrnrumd Since 1950 Minutes of the Cohasset Board of Water Commissioners Tuesday,January 19,2021 3:15 PM—5:00 PM Virtual Zoom Meeting Join Zoom Meeting https:HusO2web.zoom.us/4/81715139747?pwd=bmNMSHdiQOoyRkN MMmxxQkFmSGILZzO9 Meeting ID: 817 1513 9747 Passcode: 999771 Members Present: Leonora Jenkins, Chairman Stephen Girardi, Vice-Chair John Steinmetz,Clerk Recording Secretary: Brenda Douglas Guests Present: Fred Rogers, Carl Hillstrom,Jason Federico, Don Piatt, Gary&Janice Lee (110 Beach Street), Patrick Kennedy,Brian Joyce, Miriam Johnson, Town of Cohasset HR Lee made a motion to open meeting at 3:17 pm, seconded by John, all in favor. 110 Beach Street(Gary Lee)Abatement Request Mr. &Mrs. Lee had been sent a denial letter back on December 24, 2020. Mr. Lee had sent pictures yesterday for the board to review where the leak was on his property. He stated that it was in an area that they were unable to tell that there was leak. They stated that there was no puddling. Mr. Lee happened to pull out a dandelion and water come up from underground. They stated that a plow or lawn mower had not hit it. John asked several questions about the irrigation company and wanted to know if they had done any pressure testing when they turned it on. Mrs. Lee then stated that they knew there was a leak but did not realize how bad it was. Mr. Lee said that the water was coming out of the ground and going back in the ground and we are making a profit from it so he can't understand why he was denied the abatement. Lee gave a quick overview of the process to get the water to his irrigation system with the costs involved. Steve stated that anything after the meter it is on the responsibility of the homeowner. Lee said she was sorry that this had happened but if the board gave everyone abatements for leaks in 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383.0057 www.00hassetma.org irrigation,they would have to increase their rates. Mr. Lee wanted to know why there is an abatement policy if they would not qualify. Lee explained that as an industry standard the abatement policy has become much more stringent and rarely given. Steve made a motion not to approve abatement of 110 Beach Street, 2"d by John all in favor. Patrick Kennedy 59 Jerusalem Road Drive(Abatement Request) Mr. Kennedy stated that they had a very large bill thought it was due to meter leaking but that was previous quarter that the meter had been replaced and no water was used. He reported that a leaky toilet was found,and he shut it down then had it repaired. Lee asked if this was brought to the sewer commission as well. He said that it was tabled till they heard what the Water Commission decides. John said that he has never abated an irrigation, but abatements have been given to homeowners for internal leaks. Lee noted that exceptions have been made for elderly customers on fixed incomes living alone, especially if they had hearing issues. Steve asked if the toilet in question is not used frequently. Mr. Kennedy stated that the toilet was in one of the kid's rooms, and the kids are not at home anymore. John made a motion to abate $377.00 on the abatement request from Patrick& Diane Kennedy, 2"d by Steve. Vote—John and Steve "Yes", Lee"No". Financials Don reported that the budget in great shape both on revenue and expenditures. FY2022 Budget Jason sent out the spreadsheets late this afternoon for the board to review. For the budget with no increase the lease numbers for AT&T and Verizon were updated as well as Don's Indirect Costs for Town services. Monies had to be taken from the transfer to Capital to balance the budget. Don spoke to the board about what was decided years ago to transfer the debt as it runs off to Capital. Don would like the board to sharpen the pencil to not remove the $100K from capital just in case the rate study does not go through. Don suggested looking at Milfoil and Dam Maintenance. Carl has plans for the Milfoil for this year awaiting quotes from 2 vendors he estimates $20-$30K. Lee mentioned the benthic barrier which Carl states that the benthic barrier purchase and installation would be approximately $548K. Dam inspection Carl reported that the under drain needs to be inspected and that should be done every 2 years. Brian said that he was in the chamber back in 2015 the last time it was done. Jason also said it is used for landscaping and tree removal. This has now been reduced to $25K from$50K. Steve then had questions about the indirect costs so there was a discussion as to the amount of time spent for the Treasurer Office. Budget with increase was shown with a transfer to capital of$802,956.00. Don said a lot of this would be accounted for 1 being the GAC, $280K for future debt service that is based on the CIP right now and $325K in operating costs. Don wanted to make sure that the board understood that the majority of that money would be appropriated in the previously mentioned. Don suggested making the same changes to this budget just like,the other one without an increase. Jason said that he would like to keep the increased amount as it can be used. 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 www.cohassetma.org John made a motion to approve the 2 budgets as presented with the modification at this meeting 1 without increase and the other with the increase 2"d by Steve all in favor. Rate Study Presentation Don spoke to Chris and it should be in front of the Selectmen in early February. This way explanations can be fielded to the Select Board as well as other boards. Lee suggested a joint meeting and Don will check with Chris on that. Lee wanted to get Advisory and Selectmen joint meeting. John asked Don if he was comfortable going in front of the boards and he stated that he is. John reminded everyone that last year when they tried it the Selectmen wanted to know how Cohasset compares to other towns with like sizes. Jason is working on getting comparisons for the board. Tetra Tech Capacity Analysis—Addendum#1 Jason sent the board 2 proposals $6800 would extend the project 1 more month to get into biological mode. The carbon has not been spent yet. The 2"d addendum for$19,930 will look at a plant capacity analysis. There are many questions as to how much the plant can produce daily as Lee mentioned the plant was built to produce 3 million gallons per day and the maximum is only 2.6 million. Monies are available in the Capital Expenditures. John made a motion to continue with the 2 Tetra Tech Addendums 2"d by Steve, all in favor. Asset Management/Lab Testing Graphing Both Fred&Jason had a meeting last week about what the full system would look like. Jonathan is filling in the gap for the bulk upload and should have done by the end of the week. 390 C. J. Cushing Highway Request from owner to connect their fire service and test the fire suppression system. Back in November it was tested and it passed. Today the line was retested for bacteria if it passes then the line will be introduced and the hydrants out front of the building will be active. Jason said that they now want water to the building to do testing and he wanted to check with the board. The board agreed that if they wanted to test then the fee should be paid first. Jason said they could connect to a fire hydrant to pressurize their system for it to be tested. The board agreed that the fee needs to be paid before any water is given into the building. John felt that the board should not be bending the rules for the project. John made a motion to deny the request to connect to town water until fee paid 2"d by Steve, all in favor. Leak Detection Update Carl has contracted with Matthew Groufs who did the last survey. Carl also reported that it is a permit requirement, and it is normally split up but this year he plans to do the entire town at once for$4600. This will be done after the spring flushing program has been completed. Jason asked if it could be done each and every year. Lee asked what our unaccountable water is last year it was 10% and right now preliminary number are at 11%. If we exceed 10%then there are a list of items that need to be done per DEP. Steve asked if the leaks are detected do we get them fixed and Carl stated that they are. 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 www.cohassetma.org Meeting Note Approval John made a motion to approve the December 15,2020 meeting notes, this was 2"d by Steve, all in favor. Next meeting to be determined at a later date. Brenda reminded everyone that they need to have an interconnect meeting. Lee made a motion to adjourn meeting at 5:18pm this was 2"d by John all in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Brenda Douglas,Rec SecrIw Approved By: r Date: S �j Jofk Steinmetz, Clerk C Passet Board of Water Commi 'one s 339 King Street,Cohasset,Massachusetts 02025 Tel:(781)383-0057 www.cohassetma.org