HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-24 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER, SEWER AND STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
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May 24, 2006
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A meeting of the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee (WSSWMAC) was
held at 7:40 PM on Wednesday, May 24, 2006, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16--Low
ell.;
Street, Reading, MA. 4 . -
In attendance were Chairman Stephen Crook, Secretary John Wood, Committee members Richard Moore
Steve Oston, and Mike McIntyre, Associate Member Gail Wood, and DPW Director Ted McIntire.
Water Supply (MWRA/WTP)
The Committee reviewed the information on MWRA projected verses actual rates in FY01-FY05.
Average increase for water has been 12.5% per year from FY00-FY06. MWRA rates have more than
doubled in those six years.
Richard Moore offered to put a presentation together for the Committee. He indicated that there are
many issues and points of view and that much of the information is not perfect.
Gail Wood joined the meeting at 8:OOPM
He indicated that he would recommend an introduction of 4-5 minutes, identify important points for
approximately 1.5 minutes each, and closing remarks for approximately 1.5 minutes.
Dave Tuttle joined the meeting at 8:04PM
The Committee identified major issues and points which included: cost, in regards to local control;
uncontrolled capital expenditures by the MWRA; uncertainty of the MWRA Stabilization Funds;
potential future requirement for filtration of MWRA water; redundancy of water supply; vulnerability of
the Ipswich Water Supply; and the MWRA single pipe service; loss of assets and giving up the
registration for withdrawals from the Ipswich basin (something the Town would not be able to get back);
the fact that Reading withdraws water from the Ispwich River Basin and not the Ipswich River; the
viability of the Ipswich River Basin in regards to quantity, quality and cost; and concern for the basin, as
the Town has been a good steward for the Ipswich River and the Basin.
Mike McIntyre left the meeting at 8:35PM.
Conclusion by the Committee was that the Town would be better off building a water treatment plant to
preserve the redundancy of potable water, and because the Town continues to work to preserve the river,
and may not be as concerned if there water supply is not from that basin. It was also noted that the ability
to implement the construction of the water treatment plant is certain, and the MWRA supply is not.
Richard has many points and notes that will probably result in a presentation for the Finance Committee
of longer than 15 minutes. The goal of the presentation will be to limit to ten minutes. Richard requested
that Ted contact John Gall regarding the USGS study and the chart he had prepared regarding different
scenarios of withdrawals from the basin and the no-flow, days that were identified in that chart.
` It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Richard Moore and approved by a vote of 4-0 to adjourn the
meeting 8:57PM.
Minutes - WSAC May 24, 2006
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