HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-01 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 1, 1997
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:05 P.M. in room 218 at
Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading MA.
In attendance was Chairman Gail Wood, Secretary Stewart Chipman, Committee Member
Richard Moore, DPW Director Ted McIntire, DPW Supervisor of Business Services David Lee
and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner.
FY98 Water/Sewer Rates
Ted McIntire and David Lee presented information regarding three possible options. The first
option reflects the budget as voted by the Finance Committee which results in a total water and
sewer rate of $9.22 per one hundred cubic feet, an increase of 35.2% over the FY97 rate. The
second option which had previously been recommended by the Water and Sewer Advisory
Committee reflected a combined rate of $8.51 per one hundred cubic feet, and increase of 24.8%.
This rate also represents a reduction in water capital of $193,000.00 and a reduction in sewer
capital of $275,300.00. The third option which would result in a combined water and sewer rate
of $8.28 per one hundred cubic feet, an increase of 21.4%, includes the reduction in capital
recommended by the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee and the use of $150,000.00 from the
Water Reserve/Emergency Fund.
Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner noted that the Town is expecting some reimbursement
from Cumberland Farms, and when this money is received it can be used to reinstate the two
capital items in the water budget. He also noted that after July 1, 1997 the sewer reserve balance
will be approximately $475,000.00, and monies will be available to transfer at November Town
meeting and reinstate the Mill Street/Short Street Sewer Main Construction project.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 2-1-0 to
recommend to Town Meeting to reduce the capital items as previously recommended and not to
transfer the $150,000.00 from the Water Reserve/Emergency Fund at this time.
Water Ouality
Ted McIntire indicated to the Committee that a number of different combinations of wells had
been tried over the last few weeks which have shown positive results and at this time would not
recommend any changes in outdoor water use restrictions.
The Department has been requested to make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen on May
13, 1997 regarding water supply/quality.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 3-0 to
adjourn the meeting at 7:30 P.M.