HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-27 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Minutesa~r
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WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
' January 27, 2003
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:35 PM on Monday, January
27, 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, DPW Water Treatment Supervisor Peter Tassi and DPW Director
Ted McIntire.
MWRA Water System Connection
Water Conservation Program
Ted McIntire distributed a spreadsheet titled "Estimated Cost of 4 Year Water Conservation
Program, dated 1/27/03" to the Committee. The spreadsheet identified rebates and/or total costs
for items to be included in the Town's water conservation program. These included toilet
rebates, washer rebates, retrofit kits, irrigation system rebates, program coordinator and
consultant, public education, retrofitting municipal buildings, annual water audits, and a total
estimated cost of the four year program $935,000. It was understood that the quantities and total
costs identified in the program were estimates and will be reviewed, at a minimum, on a yearly
basis to evaluate if the estimates are appropriate. The Committee also discussed including the
cost of a plumbing permit for the toilet rebates which would be in the amount of $20.00 per
permit. It was moved by John Wood, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 4-0
to recommend the rebates, program coordinator, consultant, and other items of the water
conservation program as identified on the spreadsheet dated 1/27/03 with an amendment to
include $20.00 in the toilet rebate that would cover the cost of a plumbing permit. The total
estimated cost for toilet rebates would then be $300,000 and the estimated cost of a four year
water conservation program would be $985,000.
Bedrock Wells
Staff had recently received an estimate for the development of bedrock wells in the Bare
Meadow area north of Pearl Street. The estimated cost for wetlands permitting, test well
installation, DEP approval and final facility design and construction is $3.5 - $6.2 million. In
addition to these development and construction costs would be yearly operation and maintenance
of the wells and the treatment facility. Staff recommends not pursuing the development of the
bedrock wells in the Bare Meadow area due to the fact that it would be financially prohibitive to
develop. It was moved by John Wood, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 4-
0 that the Town discontinue bedrock well development in the Bare Meadow area.
Water Treatment Plant Update
January 28, 2003. This will be a report on progress, to inform the Board of Selectmen on the
Minutes - WSACJanuary 27, 2003.doc
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issues that are being addressed in the feasibility study including regulatory requirements, safety
and health, pilot studies, and preliminary estimates on identified options. It is expected that we
will return to the Board of Selectmen at a later date, following completion of the pilot studies,
with a recommendation and more detailed costs for the recommended option.
Water Supply Protection
John Wood asked about the status of Studying the drainage system along route 93 adjacent to the
Towns water supply, in the area where the gas spill occurred in September 1992. Ted reported
that staff has talked with the engineering firm of Fay, Spofford & Thorndike about a scope of
work to be included in a request for proposals. Fay, Spofford & Thorndike will be developing a
scope of work for the containment study at a cost of approximately $2,000.00.
It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 4-0 to
adjourn the meeting at 8:30PM
Minutes - WSAC January 27, 2003.doc
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