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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-16 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesA meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:35 P.M. on Tuesday, June 16, 1998 in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading, MA. In attendance were Chairman Gail Wood, Secretary Stewart Chipman, DPW Director Ted McIntire, Peter Tassi Water Treatment Plant Supervisor, Historical Commission Member Virginia Adams, and Chris Nichols a representative from the Town's consulting firm of Stearns & Wheler. Water Restrictions Karen Epstein of 69 Scotland Road joined the meeting and explained the situation related to the recent planting of a lawn at her property. She was advised by Selectmen Bruce MacDonald to meet with the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee so that they could make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Epstein recommended that the Town may want to consider establishing a permit fee for water use outside of the normal restrictions during the two to three week period for the establishment of a lawn. After much discussion it was moved by Stewart Chipman that constructing a lawn be considered for a waiver of water restrictions, limited to a two week period and at the discretion of the Town Manager. The motion was seconded by Gail Wood and approved by of 2-0. Water Storage Tank Chris Nichols from Stearns & Wheler explained that there had been extensive pitting on the interior walls of the Auburn Street Standpipe and submitted pictures for viewing by the Committee members. He indicated that the tank can be repaired, but the structural condition of the tank can not be guaranteed. Also, if the standpipe is maintained as a historical monument, it would need to have some structural bracing installed in the interior as well as sand blasting and repainting the surfaces. Other options would include replication of the existing tank at approximately $575,000.00 or construction of a new elevated tank at Auburn Street in the amount of $925,000.00. Mr. Nichols explained that Weston and Sampson had prepaired a study for the Town of Reading in 1977 recommending siting a water storage tank on property owned by the Town of Reading on Lothrop Road. Estimated cost would be $1,000,000 including the construction of a 12 inch or 16 inch water main from the site to the 12 inch water main in County Road. He indicated that the 1977 report would have to be updated, the Town's storage needs would have to be reevaluated and a skeleton computermodel of the distribution system would have to be done prior to considering the Lothrop Road site for a storage tank. He estimated the cost of updating the study and performing the hydraulic model would be in the area of $25,000.00. Stewart Chipman was concerned as to why the town would go for an expensive option if a less expensive option is available and whether the rate payers can handle a substantial increase in water rates. Virginia Adams pointed out that the water storage tank has been an historical landmark in the Tow of Reading for 107 years and was wondering if a replica of the standpipe could be constructed with less expensive material. According to Chris Nichols, it would have to be built of steel for structural integrity. It was agreed that the Town should define a need to increase usable storage and that the Lothrop Road site needs to be evaluated extensively from an engineering and neighborhood impact point of view. It was moved by Stewart Chipman to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the 1977 water system study be updated, a skeleton hydraulic model of the distribution system be completed. The motion was seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 2-0. It was moved by Gail Wood, that the Town abandon the Auburn Street Standpipe for Water Department purposes. The motion was seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 2-0. Meeting Minutes It was moved by Stewart Chipman, seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 2- 0 to accept the minutes of May 26, 1998 as written. Water Treatment Plant Feasibility Study -Gail Wood reported that she and Ted McIntire met with the Board of Selectmen on June 2, 1998 regarding their discussion on the establishment of a steering committee. Peter Hechenbleikner will propose a structure to the Board of Selectmen for the steering committee. Peter Tassi indicated that when the funding was originally included in the capital plan, it was not for a water supply study. The original intention was to evaluate the water treatment plant and the ability to meet present and proposed drinking water standards. It did include an evaluation of the well field and alternative supplies but the emphasis was not on water supply. Stewart indicated that with a ten million dollar expenditure looming, there is a need to evaluate the water treatment plant, but we should look at the bigger issues also. Bedrock Well Develoament Peter Tassi indicated that the Conservation Commission was "on board" and has created a sub-committee. Discussions with D. L. Maher Company have indicated that site visits should probably be scheduled in the Fall and in the mean time the Conservation Commission is going to prioritize the locations that have been identified. Nancy Eaton has a concern that land purchase for water supply protection may not be able to be used for water supply. She is gathering information related to that issue. The next meeting is scheduled for June 25, 1998 and will be for the soul purpose of discussing the establishment of a Stabilization Fund in water and in sewer.. Finance Director Beth Klepeis and Town Accountant Richard Foley have committed to attend the meeting. Town Council Ted Cohen is on vacation for three weeks and will not be available to attend. It was moved by Stewart Chipman, seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 2- 0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 PM.