Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-05-15 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES May 15, 2002 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:35 PM on Wednesday, May 15 2002, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. In attendance were Chairman Richard Moore, Secretary Bob Salter, Committee members Steven Oston and Stephen Crook, Board of Selectmen Liaison Gail Wood, DPW Water Treatment Supervisor Peter Tassi, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Kerry Mackin of the Ipswich River Watershed Association, Lou Wagner of the Audubon Society and Interested Citizen John Wood. 2001 Ipswich River Water Conservation Report Card At the request of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee, Kerry Mackin, Executive Director of the Ipswich River Watershed Association, was in attendance to discuss the report card with the Committee. In addition, Lou Wagner of the Massachusetts Audubon Society was also in attendance. Kerry Mackin discussed the status of the Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan and the components the Ipswich Watershed Management Council (IRWMC) is looking at. The Ipswich Watershed Association received a grant to develop a regional water conservation plan. The Association is working with Amy Vickers, a water conservation specialist. The group discussed the different categories that were evaluated in the report card. Although the overall grade of B- for the Town of Reading was good, there were some categories that the Committee was concerned about, particularly non-account water, records and reports and water rates. Town of Reading has a flat rate per one hundred cubic feet and will be evaluating incorporating seasonal water rates when the water meter radio read system is completed. In the area of unaccounted for water there was discussion as to whether or not measured usage for park irrigation and water main flushing should be considered as unaccounted for as indicated in the report card. Bob Salter left the meeting. In the area of record keeping and reporting, Ms. Mackin indicated that all but Reading and Wilmington figures for metered water verses accounted for and unaccounted for water added up to within 2%. Richard Moore indicated that increasing block rates were presented to the Board of Selectmen and would not except it. The Committee is looking into seasonal rates once the Town completes the installation of the radio read system. The Town will also be looking to increase billing from quarterly to monthly. It was also noted that in evaluating water rates there should be some consideration of the fact that high water rates are an incentive to conserve water. It was also noted that Reading residents consider their water and sewer bill to be a water bill. The Town has a very high combined water and sewer rate and it is, in fact an incentive for many people in the community to conserve water. The Ipswich River Watershed Association is having a "Value of Water Study" done, the results will be available in a couple of months. It includes a random survey of people within the Ipswich River Basin in an effort to find out if people are willing to pay to enhance the river. Gail Wood also commented that, under water use trend, the grades and percentages do not appear Minutes - WSAC May 15, 2002.doc Page 1 of 2 reasonable or maintainable, especially if a community per capita water use is already low. Ms. Mackin indicated that Reading's overall rating would be A- for the 2002 Report Card. The Committee thanked Ms. Mackin and Mr. Wagner for attending the meeting and offering information on the evaluation that were incorporated into the report card. Peter Tassi and Lou Wagner will communicate regarding the figures used from the DEP report and incorporate it in the calculation in the non-account water. Water Table Peter Tassi presented a chart of the water table history over a twelve month year incorporating an average of the last 10 years, 1997 and the last 2 calendar years. The chart was requested by the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee to assess the level of the water table as it exists now verses previous years. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee was concerned because we have experienced a very dry Spring.. The chart showed that the present water level is above the levels of previous years. Sewer Policy The Committee reviewed the sewer policy as drafted by the Town Manager and commented on by Town Council. It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Steven Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0 to accept the policy as a work in progress. It was moved by Steven Oston, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:33PM. c z> C= > > on - Minutes - WSAC May IS, 2002.doc Page 2 of 2