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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-11-14 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES tt" ~ f`,?1 F HASS. November 14, 2001 2002 JAN g A 11: 0 3 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:38 PM on Wednesday, November 14, 2001, in the Senior Center, Great - 1't Floor, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading, MA. In attendance were Chairman Richard Moore, Secretary Robert Salter, Committee members Steven Oston and Kevin Walsh, DPW Director Ted McIntire and Board of Selectmen Liaison Gail Wood. Meetine Minutes It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Bob Salter and approved by a vote of 4-0 to approve the minutes of October 17, 2001 as written. Water Restrictions Ted McIntire had attended the Board of Selectmen meeting on November 5, 2001 and made a presentation outlining the recommendations of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. The Board of Selectmen had concerns with the use of handheld devices, the benefits of a reduction of one hour for morning usage and wanted staff to evaluate possibility of restricting private wells to conform to the present restrictions. Ted McIntire will work with the Town Manager regarding these issues. Water/Sewer Rate Study There was a general discussion on the study and report prepared by David Russell, the issues identified in the report and the Committees approach to them. It is the Committees desire to provide pros and cons to all of the issues, make recommendations on the key decision points and potentially other recommendations not addressed in the key decision points. The Committee discussed the following: Level of waster/sewer rates. The rate increases are based on "cost of service" charges being implemented. The consultants recommendation was to maintain an 8% increase in water rates for the next five years, and a sewer rate increase of approximately 2.5%. This would result in a combined rate of approximately 5% per year until 2006 when water rates would be projected to decrease and the combined rated would be in the 2-3% increase level. The consensus of the Committee was to use reserve fund monies and maintain stabilized rates as outlined by Mr. Russell. 2. Reserve Funds. The Committee _discussed limiting upper_ and lower levels within the reserve funds. It was noted that the Board of Selectmen have, as a policy, set the level of the water and sewer reserves at a minimum of $200,000. The consensus of the Minutes - WSAC November 14, 2001.doc Page 1 of 2 Committee was to recommend drawing down the water reserve fund for the next 1 to 5 years, and draw down the sewer fund in the next Ito 3 years as outlined by the consultant. Customer Classes. Mr. Russell has identified the potential of a establishing a "Residential" class, "Non-Residential" class, and potentially a "Non-Residential (Public)" class. He indicated that there are significant cost of service differences between classes. If the Town decided to establish different customer classes and apply the weighted cost of service amounts it would result in a residential rate that was higher than non-residential rates. Mr. Russell did not provide a recommendation to the Town, but indicated that if the Town decided to pursue this he would recommend establishing two classes, one being Residential, and the other Non-Residential. It was the consensus of the Committee to maintain one customer class. 4. Minimum Billing. It was the recommendation of David Russell to eliminate the present minimum charge of 200 cubic feet of usage per quarter and institute a customer service charge based on meter size. There was no consensus of the Committee at this time, discussions will continue at the next meeting. Ted will develop a matrix on the first key decision points. Aquifer Protection District Article 22 in the Warrant for the Subsequent Town Meeting proposes to revise the language in the Town's Aquifer Protection District make it in line with the Department of Environmental Protection regulations and reduces the impervious area from the present allowable 20% to 15%. It was moved by Bob Salter, seconded by Steve Oston , and approved by a vote of 3-0-1 (Walsh abstaining) to recommend the subject matter of Article 22. Securi Ted reported that the Department has initiated a substantial amount of new security measures. The Department has developed action items to improve security which will be implemented in the short and long term. It was moved by Bob Salter, seconded by Kevin Walsh and approved by a vote of 4-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10: 1OPM. Minutes - WSAC November 14, 2001.doc Page 2 of 2