HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-21 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES,;.
May 21, 2003
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:37 PM on Wednesday, May
21, 2003, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA.
In attendance were Chairman Richard Moore, Secretary Stephen Crook, Committee members
Steven Oston, and John Wood, Selectmen Liaison Gail Wood, DPW Business Supervisor David
Lee, and DPW Director Ted McIntire.
Water and Sewer Financing Plan
David Lee walked the Committee through the ten year financing plan handout. He highlighted
issues such as development of the landfill, Spence Farm, and Longwood Farm contributing
$464,000 towards the MWRA water system buy-in costs. Also inflow/infiltration in the amount
of $200,000 was moved in FY05 due to the same developer contributions. The water storage
tank was removed as directed by the Town Manager. Water reserve funds did not dip below
$500,000 until after the Water Treatment Plant renovations, when it maintains a minimum of
$200,000 balance. The Sewer Reserve Fund are maintained at a level of $198,000 or higher over
the projected ten year period. An effort was made to smooth the total water and sewer rates at
5.5% increases over this period. This required the Sewer rates to be adjusted based on the water
rate fluctuations, to smooth the combined rates to the 5.5% yearly increase. There is a concern
that the plan would be subject to criticism for not using the sewer reserves to bring the year end
balances to a minimum of $200,000 sooner.
The Committee discussed other options. Richard recommend reworking the rates to keep the
sewer rate level for two years, ultimately reducing the water rate increase in FY07 from 23% to
below 20%. This would require increasing the water rate in FY04 and FY05 above the projected
rates. This would require increasing the sewer rate in FY07.
The Committee decided to schedule a meeting for next Thursday, May 27, 2003 and follow the
directions discussed.
Storm Water Advisory Committee
Stephen Crook, WSAC liaison to the Committee, indicated that that Committee is discussing the
potential of appointing a permanent Storm Water Committee or possibly adding the
responsibilities to the existing Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. He expects discussions at
a future meeting.
It was moved by Stephen Crook, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 4-0 to
adjourn the meeting at 9:42 PM.
Minutes - WSAC May 21, 2003.doc
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