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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-10 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesV WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 10, 2002 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:41 PM on Wednesday, April 10, 2002, in the Arts & Crafts. Room, Senior Center, 49 Pleasant 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, and DPW Director Ted McIntire. Meeting Minutes It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 4-0 to approve the minutes of March 20, 2002 as amended. FY2003 Water and Sewer Rates. Ted presented an updated package of water and sewer rates that were prepared by David Lee and based on the monies identified in the April 2002 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The package included the capital improvement plans for water and sewer. Ted explained that the Town Manager had removed the water main construction for West Street (Palmer Hill Road to County Road) in the amount of $575,000. It is expected that authorization for bonding for this project will be at the November 2002 or the April 2003 town meeting. The projected rate for water in FY03 is $3.31 per one hundred cubic feet which incorporates using $215,000 from the water reserve fund. The projected sewer rate for FY03 is $5.21 per one hundred cubic feet and includes the use of $335,000 out of the sewer reserve fund. Ted also noted that if no money was used from the water reserve fund, the resultant rate would be $3.63 per one hundred cubic feet, a reduction of 0.9% from FY02. It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote 4-0 not to use water reserve money to offset the FY03 water rate. The Committee feels that the expenditures anticipated for major water projects in FY03 will not be realized during that fiscal year. By not reducing the water reserve fund in FY03 it will make those monies available in future years when the expenditures will be made. It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 4-0 to recommend a FY03 water rate of $3.75 per one hundred cubic feet with a minimum bill of $7.50 per billing, effective on the August 1, 2002 billing. It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Stephen Crook and approved by a vote of 4-0 to recommend a sewer rate of $5.28 per one hundred cubic feet with a minimum bill of $10.56 effective on the August 1, 2002 billing, including a recommendation to use $293,000 from the sewer reserve fund. The sewer draw down is larger than last year due to the increased capital expenditures in FY03. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee will make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen at the Board of Selectmen meeting on April 23, 2002. Minutes - WSAC April 10, 2002.doc Page I of 2 WSAC Membership - Richard Moore will call Kevin Walsh about the status of his membership to the Committee. If he does intend to resign from the Committee, Richard will recommend that he send a letter to the Board of Selectmen with a copy to the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Water Restrictions Bob Salter expressed his concern about the lack of precipitation this past winter and spring and its effects on the water table. If we experience a prolonged drought, there may be a potential for revising the existing water restrictions. He requested that staff provide a history of the fluctuations in the water table. Ted McIntire will work with staff to provide information based on the last ten years of records. He indicated that the town has a history dating back to the 1950's or 1960's. Performance Evaluations The Committee discussed the annual performance evaluation of Ted McIntire. Committee members will complete the form, submit it to Richard Moore and he will in turn submit one evaluation to the Town Manager. Inflow/Infiltration The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee and DPW staff will be hosting an informational meeting to residents in the Grove Street/Forest Street/Franklin Street area regarding the removal of direct connections of storm water systems from the Town's sanitary sewer system. The meeting will be held on April 24, 2002 at the Reading Memorial High School. Lecture Hall. Water Treatment Plant Feasibility Study Ted McIntire reported that staff has scheduled a kickoff meeting with the consultant, CDM, on Friday, April 12, 2002. The total project cost is $100,000. The Town Manager has authorized the expenditure of $40,000 from the FY02 operating budget and is requesting a transfer of $60,000 from the water reserve fund at Town Meeting this month. General The Committee requested that Kerry Mackin of the Ipswich River Watershed Association be invited to the next meeting to discuss the most recent annual report card. In addition staff will make a presentation on water table fluctuations in recent history. ry It was moved by Stephen Crook, seconded by Bob Salter and approved by a V1* OP-4-0 to adjourn the meeting at 9:50PM. > c-)M 3rnrn >70c) Minutes - WSAC April 10, 2002.doc r-n J Page 2 of 2