HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-13 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesV
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WATER, SEWER AND, STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
July 13, 2005
A meeting of the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee (WSSWMAC) was
held at 7:48 PM on Wednesday, July 13, 2005, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell
Street, Reading, MA.
In attendance were Chairman Stephen Crook, Secretary John Wood, Committee members Steve Oston
and Mike McIntyre, associate member Gail Wood, guest David Tuttle, Town Engineer Joe Delaney and
DPW Director Ted McIntire.
Meeting Minutes
It was moved by John Wood, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 4-0 to approve the
minutes of June 1, 2005 as revised.
Storm Water ProLram
Joe Delaney reviewed the package with the committee. It had been previously agreed single family
homes would be charged a flat rate, four family and larger would be charged based on total impervious
area of the lot and also industrial areas would be based on total impervious area of the lot. There was a
discussion on looking at separating the methodology for assessment for commercial and industrial zoned
areas. Joe Delaney explained the evaluation process on residential properties by using the Towns GIS
system and determining an average area of 3200 square feet per lot. Regarding two and three family
homes there are a number of options which include applying the same rate of single family, full
assessment for the first unit and I/2 for each the second and if applicable the third, full assessment for each
unit, or based on total impervious area. Joe recommends the full assessment for the first dwelling unit
and %2 for each the second and third. The Committee discussed the options and decided to eliminate the
first option which would be equal to a single family assessment and the last option which would be based
on total impervious area. Joe offered to look at some two and three family properties and try to calculate
an average for each and bring it back to the Committee. It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Mike
McIntyre and approved by a vote of 4-0 to recommend the second option of full assessment for the first
unit and 1/2 for each the second and third.
The Committee then discussed the possibility of abatement and how to address them. Joe indicated that
the Committee may want to charge a minimal amount for undeveloped property. The Committee felt that
it would be the responsibility of the property owner to prove that, if they are requesting an abatement,
they provide some type of documentation that they have some sort of storm water treatment system or
recharge system into the aquifer. Joe will prepare a draft report for the next meeting of the WSSWMAC
on August 10, 2005 and attempt to get on the Board of Selectmen meeting agenda of August 23, 2005.
Minutes - WSACJudy 13, 2005
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Water Issues
• Water Treatment Plant CDM and staff are working on an alternative site evaluation. There
are issues with each site that are being looked at.
• Water Mains - West Street from County Road to Summer Avenue is ongoing, as is Franklin
Street from Main Street to Haverhill Street.
• Water/Sewer Rates - Board of Selectmen have set the Water and Sewer Rates on July 12, 2005
at $4.78 per one hundred cubic feet for water and $5.78 per one hundred cubic feet for sewer.
This reflects an increase of 5.5% over total FY05 rates.
Steve Oston indicated that he would not be available for the next meeting.
It was moved by Mike McIntire, seconded John Wood and approved by a vote 4-0 to adjourn to the
meeting at 10:45PM.
Minutes - WSACJuly 13, 2005
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