HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-15 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER, SEWER AND STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 15, 2006 v ;
A meeting of the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Cqmmittee ~(WSSVgvli C) was
held at 7:50 PM on Wednesday, February 15, 2006, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall; 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, MA.
In attendance were Chairman Stephen Crook, Secretary John Wood, Committee member Richard Moore,
associate member Gail Wood, and guest David Tuttle. There was no Town staff present as DPW
Director Ted McIntire was at a Financial Forum.
Water Supply
John Wood presented a report of the meetings he had attended regarding the subject of changing the
Town's water supply to 100% MWRA. The first meeting was held on January 26, 2006 at the Mass DEP
regional office in Wilmington between various officials of Reading and personnel from DEP. The
second meeting on February 14, 2006 was a follow-up with the Reading personnel who had attended the
January 26`h meeting. Its purpose was to review the January meeting and provide a sense of the meeting
and its results.
The meeting items were discussed and comments made to present to the Selectmen at their February 28,
2006 meeting.
Registration - change? DEP doesn't have a plan. Other towns have a permit, Reading does not.
There is potential environmental vulnerability, Revay is still a good well, technology exists to
economically treat containments.
Proving that the Ipswich River Basin is NOT a viable source based on Quantity, Quality or Cost could be
difficult. Quantity has been addressed - MWRA Supplement is summer. Quality - known problems are
and can be addressed. Cost is inconclusive according to Finance Director, there are many assumptions.
There will be water restrictions, whatever source.
If Town goes 100% MWRA, wells should be kept for emergency, direct distribution. This is an
additional cost.
Legal challenges and/or lawsuits could cause delays and costs.
Committee conclusion: We have not heard anything from MWRA or DEP, which would change the
Committee's initial recommendation to stay with the Ipswich River Basin as Reading's water source and
to continue with a new water treatment plant.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by John Wood and approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 9:25 PM.
Minutes - WSAC February 15, 2006
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