HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-17 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Minutes(`1LER1
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WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE M1NUTM OLI C 10 All: 11
October 17, 2001
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:40 PM on Wednesday,
October 17, 2001, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell 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. Resident Stephen Crook, 137 Pleasant Street, Reading was also in attendance.
Meeting Minutes
It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Kevin Walsh and approved by a vote of 4-0 to
approve the minutes of August 15, 2001 as written.
Water Restrictions
Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner had requested that the Water and Sewer Advisory
Committee review the Stage 2 Water Conservation Program and be prepared to discuss with the
Board of Selectmen any changes they feel should be made to the present policy. Selectmen Gail
Wood explained to the Committee that the water restrictions were put into effect following the
gas spill in September 1992 due to the fact the Town did not have use of all its production wells.
After the Department of Environmental Protection had approved the unrestricted use of all
production wells, the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee recommended to the Board of
Selectmen to lift the water restrictions. It was the decision of the Board of Selectmen at that time
to continue the water restrictions due to the stress of the Ipswich River basin, which supplies our
drinking water. It was noted, and generally agreed, that there is no documentation that the
present water conservation program has resulted in a reduction in water use, due to the fact that
there are so many variables. The. program does encourage conservation and with the odd/even
program is used as a management tool. The Committee discussed a number of options including
hand held watering, sprinkler systems, mandatory programs, voluntary programs, and various
days per week and hours per day options.
It was moved by Robert Salter, seconded by Kevin Walsh and approved by a vote of 4-0 to
recommend a change in title of the program from "Water Conservation" to "Water Conservation
and Management".
It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Robert Salter and approved by a vote of 4-0 to allow
hand held watering with no restrictions.
It was moved by Robert Salter, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 4-0 to
recommend the continuation of the odd/even program for lawn sprinklers, revising the hours to
4:00am to 10:00am and 5:OOpm to 8:OOpm.
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Minutes - nAC October 17, 2001. doc
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It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Robert Salter to make the restrictions voluntary. The
motion lost by a vote of 1-3. It is the Committees recommendation to make the restrictions
mandatory.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Robert Salter and approved by a vote of 4-0 that
any water conservation plan adopted by the Town include the following: more frequent billing;
potential for seasonal rates; MWRA connection (relieve stress on the Ipswich River); and a
comprehensive educational program.
Water and Sewer Rate Study
Ted McIntire reported that the final report has been completed. However, the consultant owes us
a separate report of a comparison of five communities. The draft report has recently been
submitted to staff for review.
Staff will prepare a informational package summarizing the issues identified in the final report,
the key decision points and the consultants recommendations. This will be the major topic at the
next Water and Sewer Advisory Committee meeting.
Old/New Business
Kevin Walsh requested an update on security of the water system. Ted McIntire indicated that
steps were immediately taken on September 11, 2001 and on an ongoing basis. The Department
has developed new standard operating procedures related to the water storage and distribution
- system and water treatment and production well facilities.
General
The next meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee has been moved up to
Wednesday, November 14, 2001. The following meeting will be held on December 19, 2001.
Ted McIntire will invite Kerry Mackin to present information and answer questions on the
annual report card prepared by the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
It was moved by Kevin Walsh, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 4-0 to
adjourn the meeting at 9:37PM.
Minutes - WSAC October 17, 2001.doc
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