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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-07-25 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesCLERK _011ING, MASS. WATER & SEWER_ ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTE001 SEP 2 0 P 1' 5 8 July 25, 2001 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:35 PM on Wednesday, July 25, 2001, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. In attendance were Committee Members Richard Moore, Robert Salter, Steven Oston, DPW Director Ted McIntire, DPW Business Supervisor David Lee, Selectmen Liaison Gail Wood, Rate Consultant Dave Russell, and Resident Virginia Adams of 59 Azalea Circle. Water & Sewer Advisory Committee Elections It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Robert Salter and approved by a vote of 3-0 to open nominations for the election of chairman of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee. Steve Oston nominated Richard Moore for chairman, the nomination was seconded by Robert Salter. It was moved by Robert Salter, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0 to close nominations. By a vote of 3-0 Richard Moore was elected chairman of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee. It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Robert Salter and approved by a vote of 3-0 to open nominations for the election of secretary of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee. Steve Oston nominated Robert Salter for secretary, the nomination was seconded by Richard Moore. It was moved by Steve Oston, seconded by Richard Moore and approved by a vote of 3-0 to close nominations. By a vote of 3-0 Robert Salter was elected secretary of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee. Comprehensive Permit -1375 Main Street Virginia Adams, representing herself as. an individual, asked to speak about the comprehensive permit for the property at 1375 Main Street. She explained to the Committee that the Historical Commission came to an agreement with the developer regarding the property and the Zoning Board of Appeals chose not to support that agreement. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee had submitted a letter to ZBA requesting that the impervious area be limited to 20% of the building lot as required under the Town of Reading Zoning By-laws section 4.8 Aquifer Protection Districts. Ms. Adams indicated that the Zoning Board of Appeals have scheduled a meeting for July 26, 2001 at which time she expects that they will approve the comprehensive permit. She also indicated that she believes that the decision by the Zoning Board of Appeals will be to allow something in excess of 20% impervious area on the building lot. Ms. Adams indicated that it was the intention of the Historical Commission to appeal the decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals and requested that the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee review the ZBA decision and consider appealing that decision if the impervious area approved by ZBA is in fact in excess of 20%, if the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee feels that an appeal is appropriate. The Committee explained to Ms. Adams that they are an advisory group to the Board of Selectmen and, at the most, could make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen regarding this issue. Ms. Adams indicated that the appeals period is 21 days after a decision is rendered by the Zoning Board of Appeals. If a decision is rendered on July 26, 2001, the appeal Minutes - WSAC July 25, 2001.doc Page I of 4 period would end on August 16, 2001. The next meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee is scheduled for August 15, 2001. Gail Wood joined the meeting at 8:04 PM. It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Robert Salter and approved by a vote 3-0 to instruct Ted McIntire to review the decision by the Zoning Board of Appeals. If ZBA has approved development that exceeds 20% impervious area, he is instructed to prepare a letter indicating this fact and that the position of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee is that the development should not be approved if the impervious area is more than 20% of the building lot. Water/Sewer Rate Studv David Lee prepared and presented to the Committee an information package and two sets of spreadsheets which provided a pro forma water and sewer billing comparison of the current rate methodology verses optional rate methodologies identified by the Town's consultant, David Russell. The assumptions used for the comparison were based on information gathered from Reading's Financial Director, Beth Klepeis, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority for escalation and cost projections, and the ten year capital improvement program approved by Reading Town Meeting in April 2001. Under each rate methodology the information compared projected rates for different types of water/sewer users including average volume users, minimum volume users, two levels of usage in Reading Public Schools and two levels of usage for condominiums within the community. The methodologies identified by our rate consultant and used in the comparison included different levels of base charges and the inclusion of two user classes (residential, non-residential) in FY2005 and FY2006. The Committee had many questions and comments related to the projected substantial, and often minimal, differences in the rate methodologies identified. David Lee and David Russell provided the necessary information and explanations to the Committee. Final comments and concerns the Committee had were as follows: 1. reducing rates for "non-residential" users does not encourage water conservation; 2. we believe public generally assumes that minimum water usage is by low income families. The quarterly service charge appears to effect the minimum water users more than other groups; and 3. the rates proposed in a two class methodology benefit the "non-residential" user with a lower rate than the "residential" user. Dave Russell explained that the cost of service study indicated that the "non-residential" users have a lower load factor, and should be paying less. The discussion moved to increase block rates and seasonal rates. Seasonal rates could not be available until the radio reads system is in operation. Steve Oston questioned the process of public input. The public meetings and rate hearings were discussed. Minutes - WSAC July 25, 2001. doc Page 2 of 4 Meeting Minutes It was moved by Robert Salter, seconded by Richard Moore and approved by a vote of 3-0 to accept the minutes of June 20, 2001. Sewer Backflow Reimbursements The Committee reviewed the draft regulations by the Town Manager, revisions proposed by Town Council. The Committee recommended the following: 1. There is nothing in the regulations that restricts the general public from requesting reimbursement, whether or not they have experienced a sewer backup into their dwelling; 2. reimbursement should be restricted to residential dwellings; 3. priority should be given to locations that have experienced documented backups related to the main sewer collection system, not the private service to the dwelling; and 4. the homeowner is responsible for procuring and providing proof of all applicable permits. The Water and Sewer Advisory Committee will have members at the August 21, 2001 Board of Selectmen meeting if further discussion is required. It was moved, seconded and voted 3-0 to instruct Ted McIntire to send a memo to the Town Manager, copy in the next Water and Sewer Advisory Committee package, of the recommendations. Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Membership The Committee discussed the fact that there is one vacant position on the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee. Existing members will speak to potential members and refer them to the Town Clerks office for an application. Water Issues Ted McIntire updated the Committee on the status on a number of issues as follows: 1. Bedrock Wells - Staff has had a kick-off meeting with the consultant Camp Dresser & McKee and the sub-consultant D.L. Maher. CDM will have a wetlands expert visit all sites and prepare a report outlining the ease, or lack there of, to access the sites; 2. MWRA Connection.- The Town's consultant Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc., is preparing documentation required to secure the water connection. It is that the process will take an additional twelve to eighteen months; Minutes - WSACJuly 25, 2001.doc Page 3 of 4 3. Water Treatment Plant Upgrade - Peter Tassi is preparing a proposal package for a feasibility study. When the feasibility portion of the project is completed a package will be prepared for the design and the construction services for the Water Treatment Plant upgrade; and 4. Water. Meter Radio Read Program - Proposals are due from vendors on Friday, July 27, 2001. DPW staff with the assistance of Weston & Sampson Engineers will be reviewing and rating the proposals. A short list will be developed and vendors will be invited to make a presentation and to demonstrate their system to the review committee. General Ted McIntire will include a copy of the Ipswich River Watershed Association Report Card for the next meeting. The next meeting of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee is Wednesday, August 15, 2001. It was moved by Bob Salter, seconded by Steve Oston and approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:45PM Minutes - WSAC July 25, 2001.doc Page 4 of 4