HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-04-14 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 14,1998
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:45 P.M. on Tuesday, April
14, 1998 in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading, Ma.
In attendance were Chairman Gail Wood, Secretary Stewart Chipman and DPW Business
Administrator David Lee.
Meeting Minutes
It was moved by Stewart Chipman, seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a 2-0 vote
to approve the minutes of March 26, 1998.
Board of Selectmen Hearin
Gail Wood and Stewart Chipman both reported that they would be out of town on April
21, 1998. This is the date for the Board of Selectmen's Hearings on Water and Sewer Rates for
FYI 999 and or water restrictions. They requested that Director McIntire request Richard Moore
to represent the WSAC at these hearings.
Stabilization Funds
A brief discussion of proper levels for rate stabilization funds followed. The Committee
desires that DPW Staff prepare a draft policy for fund administration for Committee discussion
and review.
Longwood Poultry Farm
Stewart Chipman reported that this property is still on the market, with the Town having
"right of first refusal". Funding the purchase is the issue. Mr. Chipman stated that the property's
status in terms of water supply and water shed protection is not an issue for the Committee,
especially with the current focus on development of bedrock wells in other parts of the Town.
The property's purchase as "open space" seems reasonable, especially as it would eliminate the
potential for about 52 additional users of water and sewer services within the Town. The WSAC
needs to develop a policy position on this issue in case it might be needed on short notice. Mr.
Chipman volunteered to head this effort.
Water Supply Update
The April 13 and April 14, 1998, memos (copies attached) on the process and status of
the bedrock well exploration were discussed. This effort is now well into Phase II (April 13
memo), with in-depth evaluation of specific locations in Sites 1 and 2 underway. This evaluation
is expected to generate a list of about 6-8 specific site recommendations for drilling exploration.
Development of this "final" list will initiate the next phases of accessing and drilling actual test
wells.
WSAC Minutes
April 14, 1998
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Miscellaneous:
➢ Mr. Chipman (in the context of discussing the Longwood Poultry Farm property and the
Stabilization Fund) that he remains opposed to the Longwood Road sewer project. He
considers it an unnecessary TOWN expense, since a developer would very conceivably have
done the work as part of his development of the area.
➢ The Committee discussed Gail Wood's draft of a proposed report to Town Meeting on
problems and considerations of water and sewer services within the Town. Comments and
suggestions were requested in time for the final report to go before Town Meeting this
month.
Adjournment
It was moved by Stewart Chipman, Seconded by Gail Wood and approved 2 - 0 that the
meeting be adjourned at 8:51 P.M.
WSAC Minutes
April 14, 1998
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