HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-16 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Minutes_g.
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WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 16; 2003
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:38 PM on Wednesday,
April 16, 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, Finance Department Head Beth Klepeis, DPW Business Supervisor David Lee,
DPW Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Peter Tassi, DPW Director Ted McIntire and Ginger
Hartman from the consulting firm of CDM.
Water and Sewer Billing Options
Beth Klepeis reviewed information that was developed in July 1999 on three options of billing
one-third of the Town, billing every two months, or billing every month. Billing every month
would allow the Town to institute a Summer rate to promote water conservation. Staff
recommendation to postpone the implementation of any change in billing cycle there is a need to
iron out lingering issues with the radio read system. After further discussion, it was moved by
Steven Oston, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 3-0 to continue the
quarterly billing cycle.
FY04 Water and Sewer Rates
Dave Lee provided a handout which outlined assumptions and information used, plus a copy a
rate projections from the Russell Consulting, Water and Sewer Rate Study. David provided
projections assuming no use of reserve funds and. included borrowing costs for the MWRA water
system connection over a twenty year period. All costs projections were for a ten year period
FY04 - FY13. MWRA purchased water is included starting in FY05. Under this scenario the
projected water rate would experience considerable changes, up and down, during the ten year
period.
The next handout provided rate calculations with the following criteria:
1. reserve fund balance remain at, or above $500,000;
2. water rates under 15% increase, if possible;
3. sewer based on Town Meeting funding for FY04.
The next handout showed water rate managed at less than 15% increase and a sewer rate
managed to keep the "Total" increase for combined water and sewer at less than 8%. The
reserve fund balance goal was $500,000 with a minimum of $200,000. The total water and
sewer rate increases in FY04 through FY09 are fairly stabilized in the 7-8% increase per year.
The Committee requested that David prepare calculations so that the water reserve balance
maintain a minimum of $500,000 and the sewer reserve balance maintain a minimum of
$200,000. To create substantial variations on water rates and sewer rates on a year to year basis
but the total rate increase should be stabilized.
Minutes - WSAC April 16, 2003.doe
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Water Conservation Program
Ginger Hartman of CDM and Peter Tassi, DPW Supervisor were in attendance for the discussion
on the Water Conservation Program. The Committee reviewed the tasks to be performed under
the program and made minor changes to tasks 1-6 with no changes on tasks 7-10.
Annual Town Meeting
Article 8 - Ted McIntire explained the need to use the reserve funds for water projects in the
amount of $176,250. It was moved by Stephen Crook, seconded by Steve Oston and approved
by a vote of 3-0 to recommend article 8.
Article 11- Article 11 requested funds in the amount of $1,5000,000 for the design of the water
treatment plant upgrades. After discussions of the issues, it was moved by Stephen Crook,
seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0 to recommend Article 11.
Appointment to WSAC
Stephen Crook is up for reappointment to the Committee and is interested in serving another
term. It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0
to recommend Stephen Crook for reappointment to the Committee.
Employee Evaluations
The Town Manager needs an evaluation of Ted McIntires performance as liaison to the Water
and Sewer Committee by May 23, 2003. Stephen Crook will compile the individual evaluations
by Committee members and will submit them to the Town Manager.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0 to
adjourn the meeting at 10:33 PM.
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Minutes - WSACApril 16, 2003.doc
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