HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-04-25 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesE CLERK
WATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMNUTTEE MI ~ ~ P MASS.
April 25, 2001
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:35 P.1~ one' Wednesday,' Apl 25,
2001, in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA.
In attendance were Chairman Gail Wood, Secretary William Freeman, Committee members Richard Moore
and Robert Salter, Town Engineer Joseph Delaney, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Kevin Kunniff (Barrett
Homes) and resident Charles Adams.
31 Kilmarnock Street, Wilmington, MA
Joe Delaney made a presentation regarding the application by Barrett Homes to tie into the Town of
Reading water and sewer systems. The Developer is proposing to construct a house at the above location
which is physically an extension of Grove Street, Reading. Joe Delaney indicated that the process for the
developer to connect to the Reading sewer system is for the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee to
recommend approval to the Reading Board of Selectmen, approval by the Board of Selectmen, approval by
the MWRA, and the RiverPark 93 Realty Trust. In order for the developer to connect to the Reading water
system it would require approval by the Board of Selectmen with recommendation from the Water and
Sewer Advisory Committee. The Department of Public Works would also review and approve construction
plans submitted by the developer. There would also have to be an agreement between the Town of Reading
and the Town of Wilmington for billing of water and sewer usage. It was also noted that there is an existing
property in Wilmington, opposite the proposed dwelling that may, in the future request approval to connect
to these same systems.
It was moved by Bill Freeman, seconded by Richard Moore and approved by a vote of 4-0 to recommend
approval of the two properties in Wilmington to connect into the Town of Reading water and sewer systems
subject to the necessary permits, approvals, and agreements.
Sewer System Surcharges
Residents Eric and Wendy Coyne, 176 Grove Street joined the meeting and explained that they had sewer
backup in the basement of their dwelling through the shower drain, toilet, and sink. It was explained that
the Town of Reading has had an infiltration/inflow program for many years. There have been many miles
of sewer main that has been T.V.ed and sealed to prevent infiltration into the system. Most recently the
Town has spent nearly $1,000,000 to replace and relocate an older main in the Walkers Brook Drive area of
Town. It was explained that the reason for the surcharging sewer system is mainly due to inflow into the
Reading system and collectively into the MWRA sewer system by 43 communities. The Town will
continue to remove infiltration and inflow into the sewer system and has requested the amount of $200,000
each year in fiscal years 2002 - 2004. The Coynes requested that the Town perform T.V. inspection of the
sewer main in the area of recorded sewer backups.
Comprehensive Permit -1375 Main Street
Joe Delaney made a presentation as to the most recent plans submitted for the development of this property
and reviewed the three options he has outlined in his memo to Ted McIntire dated April 20, 2001. Joe
explained that the developer has proposed using crushed stone in the area of driveways and parking areas in
an attempt to comply with the Aquifer Protection District requirements. It was moved by Bob Salter,
seconded by Bill Freeman and approved by a vote of 4-0 to recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Minutes- WSAC Apri125, 2001. doc
Page 1 of 2
that the applicant be required to pave the driveways and parking areas and only allow a maximum of 20%
impervious area.. The Committee felt that this would meet the requirements of the Aquifer Protection
District and allow the treatment of runoff to separate suspended solids and oils and prohibit them from
entering the ground water system.
Joe Delaney will draft a letter for Chairman Wood's signature to be submitted to the Zoning Board of
Appeals.
Meeting Minutes
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Bob Salter and approved by a vote 3-0-1 (Freeman
abstaining) to approve the minutes of March 14, 2001 as written.
FY02 Water and Sewer Rates
Ted McIntire reviewed a package of proposed water and sewer rates which reflected the budget as presented
in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. In the calculations prepared for the proposed water rate there are
bonding costs included for the Summer Avenue water main construction and Water Treatment Plant design.
These amounts, however, are not included in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Ted McIntire will consult
with David Lee, the Town Treasure, and the Town Manager regarding the potential for the bonding costs in
FY02.
It was moved by Bob Salter, seconded by Richard Moore and approved by a vote of 4-0 to recommend a
water rate of $3.62 per one hundred cubic feet effective with the August 1, 2001 billing with a minimum of
$7.24 per billing.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Bob Salter and approved by a vote of 4-0 to recommend a
sewer rate of $5.15 per one hundred cubic feet effective with the August 1, 2001 billing with a minimum of
$10.30 per billing.
After review by staff of the bonding costs included in the water rate calculations, it may be necessary to
schedule another meeting on April 30, 2001 prior to Town Meeting.
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee Members
It was noted that Gerald MacDonald has resigned from the Committee effective April 4, 2001. With the
recent election of Gail Wood to the Board of Selectmen and her resignation in early June, it will leave the
Committee with three members.
DPW Director Performance Evaluation
Water and Sewer Advisory Committee members will complete the evaluation form and forward to Gail
Wood so that she may submit the completed evaluation to the Town Manager by May 4, 2001.
General
The next of the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee will be on May 23, 2001.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Bob Salter and approved by a vote of 4-0 to adjourn the
Minutes - WSACApri125, 2001.doc
Page 2 of 2