HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-10 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesV
RECEIVED
TOWN
CLERK
WATER, SEWER AND. STORM WATER MAN
M
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES 5 S .
January 10, 2007 Z661 MAY _ ~ P 2: 42
A meeting of the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee
(WSSWMAC) was held at 7:38 PM on Wednesday, January 10, 2007, in the Berger Room,
Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA.
In attendance were Chairman Steve Oston, Secretary John Wood, Committee members Stephen
Crook, Richard Moore, and Water Treatment Supervisor Peter Tassi.
Meeting Minutes
It was moved by John Wood, seconded by Steve Crook and approved by a vote of 4-0 to approve
the minutes of November 8, 2006 as written.
FY 08 Water,Budgets/Capital
Peter Tassi updated the committee on staff status. Tom Gardiner has given his resignation
effective January 19, 2007 and Bill Russell is actively pursuing alternative employment
opportunities. The committee felt it wasn't appropriate to reduce the staffing budget at this time
as there are many unknowns. They requested the Director put together a staffing plan covering
both scenarios of having and not having a treatment facility.
The committee had the following questions on the water budget.
• Why was the WTP telephone increased dramatically from FY 05 & 06 actual expenditures?
• Why is snow & ice in the red?
• Why are benefits increasing at such a high percent when staffing is being reduced and the
breakdown increases are confusing?
• Why the large increase in uniform/boots from FY 05 actual expenditures?
• Why is legal so high? Peter Tassi stated some of the expense is associated with the Revay
contamination.
• What is the methedology the MWRA is going to utilize for invoicing the Town for water
purchased?
• Why is there no FY 08 funding for storm water?
• Why such a large increase in police details from FY 05 & 06 actual expenditures?
• Why is Account/Finance up 58.5%?
FY 08 Sewer Budgets/Capital
The committee had the following questions on the sewer budget.
• Why is the overtime up 38%?
• Why are the snow & ice dollars so low?
• Why is the MWRA up 11
• Why is the DPW Administration down 33.7%?
Minutes - WSSWMAC January 10 2007 (3)
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• Why are the benefits up 11.3%?
The committee was confused on the benefits numbers. They are seeking more detail on the
process to arrive at the budgeted numbers.
FY 08 Storm Water Budgets/Capital
The committee had the following question on the storm water budgets:
• Why are there two separate funding sources?
Rates
John Wood is drafting a response for committee review at their next meeting, on the November
17, 2006 letter the Committee received from Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner requesting
they review recommendations made by the Board of Selectman and the public at the water rates
hearing on October 24, 2006.
The committee requested the Director seek a position from Town Counsel on switching the water
rates to the tax base, is there a precedent being set that may be an issue, what might the costs be
to the enterprise account, and what is the process to accomplish the switch.
The committee felt it was prudent to revisit with the Finance and technology Departments to
discuss more frequent billing as it has been over 10 years since it was discussed in detail.
The committee requests Public Works draft a response for the committee on Item 5 of Peter
Hechenbleikner's November 17, 2006 letter which asks: What are the options for modifying the
schedule of improvements to the water distribution system to spread these construction projects
out?
John Wood suggested Public Works discuss water main capital improvements with Fire Chief,
Greg Burns as he may have suggestions for flow improvements in areas of concern to him.
Water/Sewer Business
Peter Tassi updated the committee on the status of the Anchor Excavating contract for the
MWRA valve, the ongoing hydrant repair program and the ongoing sewer main test and seal
program.
It was moved by Steve Crook, seconded by John Wood and approved by a vote of 4-0 to adjourn
the meeting at 9:18 PM.
Minutes - WSSWMAC January 10 2007 (3)
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