HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-08-21 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesREL, L
WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES TOWN
CLERK
August 21, 2002 f :~-.,D: G, MASS'.
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:40 PM o d esday
August 21, 2002, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, .rL ~ $2' 20
In attendance were Secretary Robert Salter, Committee members Steven Oston and John Wood,
DPW Water Treatment Supervisor Peter Tassi, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Representatives
from Camp, Dresser & McKee (CDM) Amy Munson and John Gall.
MWRA Water Connection
John Gall and Amy Munson provide a handout entitled "Town of Reading, MWRA Application,
August 21, 2002". They explained that the Interbasis Transfer Act required the Town to provide
a report on the "Local Water Resources Management Plan" and "Water Conservation Plan".
These plans must be approved and accepted by the Town of Reading and must be approved by
the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). John and Amy first reviewed the Local
Water Resources Management Plan which is a comprehensive document for use by the Town for
future planning including water supply and waste water. The conclusions of the resources
management plan are largely drawn form the 1999 Ad Hoc Water Supply Advisory Committee
report which recommended using the existing wells, supplementing water supply with MWRA
water, continue investigation of bedrock wells, pursue additional conservation and increase well
field protection along Interstate 93. The recommendations in the area of waste water were to
continue to use the MWRA system.
The Water Conservation Plan describes the Towns actions to conserve water and must meet 13
Department of Environmental Management performance standards for the interbasis transfer
approval. The plan will require the assistance of a program coordinator or coordinators to
administer rebate programs, public education, and school curriculum. The Water Conservation
Plan recommended the continuation of the system leak detection surveys and the installation of
the automated meter reading system. It also recommended designing water and sewer bills in a
easy to understand format and to evaluate billing frequency from quarterly to monthly with
consideration for incorporation seasonal rates. Rebate programs were also a major part of the
conservation plan for low volume toilets, low volume washing machines, and irrigation rain
sensors and timers. Another important area of the plan was an aggressive education program
both for the public in general and within the school system. The Town will also evaluate
retrofitting school and municipal buildings with water efficient fixtures.
The Committee provided various comments and recommendations which will be incorporated
into the final draft. The final draft will be presented to the Board of Selectmen at its meeting of
September 10, 2002.
It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by John Wood and approved by a vote of 3-0 to
recommend the Local Water Resources Management Plan with amendments as recommended by
Minutes - WSAC August 21, 2002.doc
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It was moved by John Wood, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0 to
recommend the Water Conservation Plan with the recommended revisions by the Water and
Sewer Advisory Committee.
Bob Salter indicated that he will not be available for the September 18, 2002 meeting.
Ted McIntire reminded the Committee that there is a seminar regarding Conflict of Interest
which will be presented at the Coolidge Middle School on October 2, 2002. All Boards,
Committees, and Commissions are invited.
The Ipswich River Basis Water Conservation Report Card was included in the Committees
package and it was noted that Reading received the first ever grade of "A" issued by the Ipswich
River Watershed Association and the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
It was moved Bob Salter, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn the
meeting at 10:40PM
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Minutes - WSAC August 21, 2002.doc
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