HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-10-02 Board of Selectmen Minutes i
Minutes of EMERGENCY Meeting of the Board of Selectmen
October 2, 1992
This Emergency Meeting of the Board was called to order at 10:04
a.m. in the Town Manager's Office, 16 Lowell Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Daniel Ensminger, Secretary
Sally Hoyt and via speaker telephone, Vice Chairman George Hines.
Also present: Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Acting Director
Public Works Edward McIntire, Superintendent of the Water Treat-
ment Plant Peter Tassi, Patrick Connolly from Weston & Sampson,
Town Clerk Catherine Quimby and representatives of the Reading
Chronicle, Channels 4, 5, 7 and New England Channel News.
Chairman Ensminger advised that this Emergency Meeting was called
for the purpose of updating the Board on the water situation.
The Town Manager advised that a trace amount of benzine had been
detected in the Ipswich River below the point at which contain-
ment booms had been installed. Because two of Reading's three
remaining operating wells were drawing their water almost
directly from the Ipswich River he had made the determination at
7: 00 a.m. to close well 82-20 and the Town Forest Well as a
precautionary matter. Therefore, the only Reading well presently
in operation is Revay as it is outside the area of contamination.
The necessary flushing and pressure testing was being conducted
to allow Reading to activate the interconnections with the neigh-
boring communities of North Reading, Wakefield, Stoneham and
Woburn. He also advised that the sodium content at Revay may not
be mixed with the other communities' water and thus it may have �r
to be closed also. Testing in this area is still ongoing. He
noted that when water from the other communities starts pumping
some scaling and sediment may be disturbed and thus residents may
have some discoloration of their water for a 48-hour period. He
indicated that this could cause some staining of clothing and
would suggest that if possible residents refrain from doing
laundry over the weekend. He asked that the Board consider as-
king DEP to declare a water emergency in Reading. The tie-in
distribution system was reviewed and it was explained that this
water would go into our distribution system to allow for filling
of our tanks in the evening.
Peter Tassi gave an overview of the gasoline spill on I-93
utilizing a large scale map. He further described the clean-up
presently underway. As the accident occurred in Wilmington this
work is not under the jurisdiction of Reading. The Town Manager
indicated that all personnel involved in the process were working
with one another in a cooperative manner, and that DEP was on
site constantly. The Town Manager plans to utilize the Civil
Defense mechanism and override Channel TV several times this eve-
ning and inform the residents of the following:
The quality of water supplied to the residents is not, and has
not, been compromised in any way. There is no health concern.
Residents are urged to continue to conserve water. Because of
the interconnections, residents may see water discolorations.
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Selectmen's Minutes, October 2 , 1992 - page 2
This is because the change in pressure, and change in the direc-
tion of water flow may stir up sediment in the water. The condi-
tion is temporary, and should be cleared within two days. Resi-
dents may want to avoid using water for laundry purposes until
the water becomes completely clear.
George Hines suggested that an update be scheduled for the
Selectmen's Meeting, October 6, 1992 to advise about present and
future clean-up process. Members agreed.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines the Board voted to ask the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to declare a water
emergency for the Town of Reading for an indefinite time.
Ensminger indicated that this would give the Town the ability to
enact and enforce water bans. The motion was approved by a vote
of 3-0-0.
On motion by Hoyt, seconded by Hines the meeting was adjourned at
10: 30 a.m. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
2ecret y