HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-23 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Minutesi
REC IV b
TOWN CLERK
WATER, SEWER AND STORM WATER MANAGEMENT READING, MASS.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 23, 2004 2004 AUG 20 P 4: 03
A meeting of the Water, Sewer and Storm Water Management Advisory Committee (WSSWMAQ
was held at 7:43 PM on Wednesday, June 23, 2004, in the Lower Level Conference Room, Reading
Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA.
In attendance were Secretary Stephen Crook, Committee members John Wood, and Jennifer
Lachmayr, Board of Selectmen Liaison Gail Wood, and DPW Director Ted McIntire.
Meeting Minutes
It was moved by Jennifer Lachmayr, seconded by John Wood and approved by a vote 3-0 to approve
the minutes of May 19, 2004 as amended.
NPDES Phase II Annual Report
The Committee reviewed Annual Report #1 dated April 29, 2004 which covers the reporting period
of March 2003 to March 2004. The Committee had the following comments which reference the
- line items listed in the annual report.
Line 3 - "Present Annual Report to Town Meeting" - Jen requested that pictures for permit year
two be included in the presentation to Town Meeting.
Line 4 - "Implement Public Education Plan" - The Department has actually done minimal public
education with a cooperative effort with the Reading/North Reading Stream Team on the
rain barrel program.
Line 5 - "Establish Storm Water Advisory Committee" - Permit year two should indicate
"complete" as the committee has been established.
General - Staff may want to indicate "N/A" or "None Planned" instead of using the word "None".
The form correctly indicates that there was no progress on those issues, however, as part
of the five year program there was actually no activity scheduled.
The Committee requested that staff develop a schedule of milestones for the funding of the Storm
Water Management Program. They requested that Joe Delaney attend the September Meeting and
prepare the package for discussion.
Committee Schedule/Calendar
The Committee requested that we add years 2002 to 2004 on the spreadsheet.
Minutes - WSAC June 23, 2004. doe
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10 Year Water/Sewer Rates
The Committee requested that staff update the 10 year projected rate spreadsheet incorporating
approval of the FY 2005 rates and existing capital plans and borrowing costs. Reserve funds should
be used to soften total rates throughout the 10 year plan.
Water/Sewer Issues
Value Engineering - Ted informed the Committee that Louis and Zimmerman would be performing
the first phase of value engineering on the water treatment plant project. Initially they will review
CDM's contract and evaluate the feasibility study and its conclusions. The first phase is to be
completed during the week of June 28, 2004 with a report to follow within 2-3 weeks. The second
phase of the value engineering process will be performed at the 60% design point and is expected to
take three days.
20" Water Main Construction - Due to unacceptable performance by our consulting engineers,
Stearns and Wheler, construction of the 20" water main in the Birch Meadow Park area is expected
to commence late July to early August. This would involve construction during the first portion of
the school year in September 2004.
- MWRA Water System Connection - The Water Resources Commission held a public hearing on
Wednesday, June 23, 2004 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Reading Town Hall at 3.:OOPM
regarding the Water Resources Commission Staff recommendations on Readings Interbasin
Transfer. Ted McIntire read a letter from Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner to the Water
Resources Commission and into the minutes at the Hearing. The Town Manager feels that the Town
of Reading is doing the responsible thing for the Ipswich River Basin and its environment at
considerable cost and expense to the Town of Reading. He does not feel that it is fair or reasonable
to make additional burdens on the Town of Reading that are higher than those requested of other
Communities within the Ipswich River Basin. He also requested that the comment period be
extended until July 31, 2004 so that the Town will have ample time to review the issues and
hopefully come to an agreement with the Water Resources Commission and its staff on the best and
fairest way for Reading to participate in the protection of this resource. The only other testimony
that was presented was from Eileen Symonson, staff member for the Water Supply Citizens
Advisory Committee to the MWRA. Town Manager indicated that the Board of Selectmen would
take up this issue at its meeting of July 27, 2004.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Water, Sewer and Storm. Water Management Advisory Committee will be
on July 21, 2004.
It was moved by John Wood, seconded by Jennifer Lachmayr and approved by a vote 3-0 to adjourn
the meeting at 9:08 PM.
Minutes - WSACJune 23, 2004.doe
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