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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-19 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 19, 1996 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:55 P.M. on Wednesday, June 19, 1996 In the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading, MA. In attendance were Chairman Gail Wood, Secretary Stewart Chipman, Committee Member Richard Moore, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, and Public Works Business Supervisor, David Lee. Water and Sewer Rates David Lee reviewed the rate calculation information that he prepared for the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee. The rates recommended by the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee at it's meeting of March 6, 1996 and April 3, 1996 was $2.85 per 100 cubic feet of water, $4.42 per 100 cubic feet of sewer and $3.42 per 100 cubic feet for water use through a second meter. The sewer rate projected using the FY97 approved Sewer Budget is $3.97 per 100 cubic feet. However, this rate is based on an MWRA assessment which is equal to the FY1996 assessment. The sewer rate shown in information submitted for this meeting identified as "revision B" in the amount of $4.40 per 100 cubic feet is based on the FY97 Budget with the exception of the most recent figures submitted to the Town of Reading from the MWRA on it's FY1997 assessment which is in the amount of $2,522,319. The Town Accountant, Richard Foley, was asked to project the Water and Sewer Reserve Fund balances for the end of FY 1996 based on revenues received to date. The Water surplus was estimated to be $286,417 and Sewer surplus was estimated to be $501,642. David Lee indicated that the project rates under "revision C" for water in the amount of $2.85 per 100 cubic feet and sewer in the amount of $3.89 per 100 cubic feet is based on the FY97 approved budgets, with the most recent MWRA assessment figures, and using an additional $301,642 from the Sewer Reserve Fund. There were no additional Reserve Fund transfers projected from the Water Surplus fund. The MWRA Board of Directors has instructed their star to prepare an FY1997 budget that projects a 4.5% increase over FY1996 combined Water & Sewer budgets. This is a reduction from the previously identified 7.7% increase. This would further decrease the MWRA assessment for the Town of Reading but it is not possible to project the amount at this time because they have not identified what the breakdown would be for Sewer assessment and Water assessment to the communities. Richard Moore moved that the FY97 Water rate be set at $2.85 per 100 cubic feet, a minimum bill of $14.25 effective August 1, 1996 and that the Sewer rate be set at $3.97 per 100 cubic feet, a minimum bill of $19.85 effective on the August 1, 1996 billing as identified in "revision A". The motion was seconded by Stewart Chipman. This option incorporates the FY97 approved budget with the $2,269,484 MWRA assesssment. The Committee felt that with the estimated balance in the Sewer Reserve fund for FY96 there would be sufficient monies to transfer at the November, 1996 Town Meeting to cover the increased MWRA assessment (above the FY97 approved amount) and make available monies for anticipated sewer main extensions during the FY1997. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0. It was moved by Stewart Chipman, seconded by Richard Moore to schedule a Water & Sewer Advisory Committee Meeting on July 8, 1996 to discuss water and sewer rates. The MWRA staff has indicated that the final approved assessment numbers to the Town of Reading will be available by that time and the Committee wishes to re-evaluate the recommended water and sewer rates to the Board of Selectmen. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman to approve the minutes of May 22, 1996 as revised. The motion was approved by a vote of 3-0. Sewer Main Extensions The Committee discussed the assessment to homeowners for sewer betterments. The Department was requested to provide additional information for discussion at a future meeting. The Department will proceed with the design/cost options for sewer main extensions on Longwood Road and Elliott Street. The Committee requested that the Department locate areas where there are no sewers available and to write a letter to Town Counsel, Ted Cohen requesting guidance as to the procedure to be used for revising betterment assessment for sewer main extensions. Gasoline Spill Site Ted McIntire indicated that Cumberland Farms did not respond sufficiently to the information requested by the Department of Environmental Protection on May 31, 1996. DEP has submitted to Cumberland Farms a "Notice of Non-Compliance" and "Notice of Response Action". These documents indicate that if Cumberland Farms does not take adequate action in response to the notices it could result in serious legal consequences. General Discussions The Committee reviewed the Selectmen's agenda for the next couple of months for items which may require their review. Ted McIntire explained that the regional water supply issue on their agenda is related to an effort by the Ipswich River Watershed Association to develop water conservation plans for the communities within the Ipswich River Aquifer to try and retain some type of flow in the river. Selectmen Camille Anthony has been a member of a task force involved j: in those discussions and is scheduled to make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen The Committee requested that the Department review the history of well site evaluation within the Town of Reading and report to them at a future meeting. The Department will attempt to provide this information for the July 17, 1996 meeting. The Committee reviewed the letter dated June 11, 1996 to Sherman Eidelman of the MA Highway Department regarding the protection of Reading's water supply along Route 93. The Committee supports this request and is looking forward to meeting with the Board of Selectmen and representative of the MA Highway Department. Ted McIntire informed the Committee that it has been necessary to operate the Water Treatment Plant for 22 to 24 hours per day and that he has scheduled staff to work overtime two days during the week and are scheduled for the 22nd and the 23rd of June. Staff will be delivering warning notices to residents that are violating the water restrictions on outdoor water use. If a second violation is noted the Department will contact the Police Department, who will issue a fine. The initial fine is $50.00. It was moved by Stewart Chipman, seconded by Richard Moore and approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 P.M.