HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-20 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 20, 2002
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:41 PM on Wednesday,
November 20, 2002, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA.
In attendance were Chairman Richard Moore, Committee members Steven Oston, Stephen
Crook and John Wood, Selectmen Liaison Gail Wood, DPW Water Treatment Supervisor Peter
Tassi and DPW Director Ted McIntire.
Committee Elections
It was moved seconded and voted 4-0 to open elections for Chairman.
It was moved by Stephen Crook, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0-1
(Moore abstaining) to nominate Richard Moore as Chairman. There were no other nominations.
It was moved by Stephen Crook, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0-1
(Moore abstaining) to elect Richard Moore as Chairman of the Water and Sewer Advisory
Committee.
It was moved seconded and voted to open elections for Secretary. It was moved by Steve Oston,
seconded by John Wood and approved by a vote of 4-0 to nominate Stephen Crook as Secretary.
There were no other nominations. It was moved seconded and voted 4-0 to close nominations. It
was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by John Wood and approved by a vote of 4-0 to elect
Stephen Crook as Secretary of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee.
Ted McIntire will contact the Town Clerk as to the results of the election.
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 October 16, 2002 as amended.
Water Uudates
• Water Conservation - Richard Moore has researched the internet and provided web site
information for DPW staff to pursue. There were many comments received from state and
regional entities regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report, including the Town's
proposed Water Conservation Program. DPW staff and CDM are working to address these
issues.
• Water Treatment Plant Upgrade - Peter Tassi presented information to the Committee on the
status of the feasibility study and the fact that we are pursuing to have a pilot study done on a
new membrane treatment process. We are presently in the process of conducting pilot study
on granular activated carbon filter..
Minutes - WSACNovember 20, 2002.doc
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MWRA
•
Connection - Ted explained that we had received many comments on the Draft EIR
and were in the process of addressing each of the issues. It was noted that there is a desire
for the Town of Reading to go into a cooperative effort with possibly the towns of
Wilmington and North Reading to construct a sewerage treatment plant. The Town has spent
millions of dollars as a member of MWRA sewer system and does not intend to construct a
sewerage treatment plant. There is also some confusion with the registered water
withdrawal from the Ipswich River Watershed. Our registration is for 2.57 million gallons
per day and it appears to be confused with the 2 millions gallons per day average finished
water demand within the community.
• Revay Well - Peter Tassi and Ted McIntire, along with our consulting firm of Weston and
Sampson Engineers recently attended a meeting at DEP regarding contamination of our water
supply by Mass Highway Department and the AGFA Corporation. Both of the assumed
polluters blamed each other for the level of contamination in the Revay Well. DEP will be
sending out a Notice of Responsibility to the parties identifying them as responsible. It is
important to note that the contamination if Revay Well is below drinking water standards and
is non-detectable at the Water Treatment Plant.
• Water Main Projects -
1. Summer Avenue -Production is high for this project and we expect to complete from
Woburn Street to near Hopkins Street before we shut them down for the Winter.
2. Ash Street to Walkers Brook Drive - There is no action on this presently. Staff is
reviewing a proposal from Weston and Sampson Engineers to perform survey and
design work for this water main project.
FY04 Budgets/Capital Improvements Programs
Water Budget
Ted McIntire and Peter Tassi presented information on the proposed FY04 Operating Budget and
Capital Improvement Program. After much discussion it was moved by John Wood, seconded
by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 4-0 to recommend the budget as presented. It was
moved by John Wood, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 4-0 to recommend
the FY04 Capital Improvement Program as presented.
Following discussion on the pilot study for the membrane filters it was moved by Richard
Moore, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote 4-0 that the Department move
forward on the pilot study as swiftly and inexpensively as possible.
Sewer Budget
Ted McIntire reviewed the proposed proposed FY04 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement
Program for the Sewer Division. The Committee would like additional information for the
justification for a new pickup truck.
It was moved by Stephen Crook, seconded by John Wood and approved by a vote of 4-0 to
approve the FY04 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program except for the new
pickup truck. as nresented_
Minutes - WSAC November 20, 2002.doc
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