HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-09 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER, SEWER AND STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 9, 2006
A meeting of the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee (WSSWC) was
held at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, August 9, 2006, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, MA.'
In'attendance were Chairman Stephen Crook, Secretary John Wood, Committee member Steve Oston,
Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, DPW Water Treatment Plant Supervisor
Peter Tassi, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Finance Committee Liaison David Greenfield and interested
citizen David Tuttle.
FY2007 Water/Sewer Budget
Bob LeLacheur handed out a package of the FY2007 Water Budget which included additional options for
the FY2007 and FY2008 budget. He also distributed a second package dealing with the evaluation of
borrowing options. He indicated that the Town needed to borrow $500,000 for the completion of the
Water Treatment Plant design or it could pay off that amount at one time. Bob indicated that the Town
may want to maintain the reserve fund at its present level until the end of FY2007, at which time the
Town will have received a decision on purchasing 100% MWRA water. The Town Manager has
indicated that a mid-year rate increase is an option.
The Board of Selectmen will discuss the issue at their September 5, 2006 meeting. The WSSWMAC will
review the information for the Selectmen's meeting, discuss and advise the Board of Selectmen. The
factors would include the number of billings at the higher rate. The suggestion was made that the Town
maintain the Water Reserve Fund at a minimum of $1,000,000.
The Committee requested that Ted post a meeting for WSSWMAC for the meeting with the Board of
Selectmen on September 5, 2006.
Administrative Consent Order (ACO) - MWRA Water
Peter Tassi reviewed the Administrative Consent Order with the Committee and identified the plan for
the use of MWRA water prior to, and following approval from the necessary agencies and officials. The
Town has hired SEA Consultants of Cambridge to prepare all documents required for approval of 100%
MWRA water. The Town has received permission to use up to 219,000,000 gallons through October 31,
of each year. Under the ACO, once we have received approval through the MEPA process the Town will
be able to use 100% water on a temporary basis throughout the approval process for long-term 100%
MWRA water use.
FY2007 Storm Water Rates
Ted explained to the Committee that the first billing of the quarterly storm water rates will be included in
the September 10, 2006 water and sewer bill. Ryan Percival from the DPW Engineering Division will be
reviewing and acting on all requests for abatements of the storm water bill. He will develop an
abatement form which will be completed by the applicant.
Minutes - WSAC August 9, 2006
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Water/Sewer Issues
• Auburn Street Water Main - The water main installation has been completed and final patching of
the roadway will be done soon.
• Inflow/In filtration - CDM continues to do house-to-house inspections to identify the presence of
illegal connections into the sanitary sewer system, including sump pumps. They have
successfully inspected 84% of the buildings in the community to date. Ryan Percival of the
Engineering Division is working with CDM in order to work with home owners and identify
remedies to take these illegal connections out of the sanitary sewer system.
• GIS - Completion of the first phase of water and sewer layers to the GIS system is expected to be
completed by the calendar year.
WSSWMAC Reorganization
Ted McIntire opened nominations for Chairman. It was moved by Steve Crook, seconded by John Wood
and approved by a vote of 3-0 to nominate Steve Oston as Chair. It was moved by John Wood, seconded
by Steve Crook and approved by a vote of 3-0 to close the nominations. Steve Oston was elected
Chairman of WSSWMAC by a 3-0 vote.
Steve Oston asked for nominations for Secretary of WSSWMAC. It was moved by Steve Oston,
seconded by Steve Crook to nominate John Wood as Secretary. It was moved by Steve Crook, seconded
by John Wood and approved by a vote of 3-0 to close the nominations. John Wood was elected Secretary
of WSSWMAC by a 3-0 vote.
It was moved by Steve Crook, seconded by John Wood and approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 9:18PM.
Minutes - WSAC August 9, 2006
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