HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-02-20 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 20, 1996
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:43 P.M. on Tuesday,
February 20, 1996 in the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading, MA.
In attendance were Secretary Stewart Chipman, Committee Member Richard Moore, Public
Works Director Ted McIntire and Public Works Supervisor of Business Services, David Lee.
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman and voted 2-0 to accept the
minutes of January 17, 1996 as written.
Gail Wood joined the meeting at 7:45 P.M.
FY97 Water/ Sewer Rates
David Lee presented numerous options for FY97 Water & Sewer Rates which were based on the
Town Managers proposed budget, various usage levels and the MWRA assessment for sewer
usage. One option maintained $300,000 in the water reserve/emergency fund, all others
maintained $200,000 in the fund.
The committee discussed the uncertainty of the activation of the well #15 in the spring of 1996
and maintaining water restrictions. It was also noted that usage is uncertain as it is affect by rain
fall.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman, and approved by a vote of 3-0
to accept the capital improvement plan for Water & Sewer as proposed by the Capital
Improvement Advisory Committee. There was also a consensus to not consider maintaining the
water reserve emergency fund at $300,000.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 3-0
to recommend a Water rate for FY97 of $2.85 for 100 cubic feet with a minimum bill of $14.25,
effective on the August 1, 1996 Billing.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman, and approved by a vote of 3-0
to recommend a Sewer rate for FY97 of $4.40 for 100 cubic feet with a minimum bill of $22.00,
effective on the August 1, 1996 Billing.
Richard Moore requested the Department research the annual Water and Sewer budgets and
Capital Expenditures back to 1981.
Stewart Chipman moved to set the rate for water used through a second meter at $3.42 per 100
cubic feet with a minimum bill of $17.10, effective on the August 1, 1996 Billing. This rate for
nonessential use is 20% higher that rate recommended for the main meter. The motion was
seconded by Richard Moore, and approved by a vote of 3-0.
Old/New Business
Items to be discussed at the next WSAC meeting on March 6, 1996 will be FY97 Water and
Sewer rate hearing, and inflow/inflitration and the MWRA assessment to the Town of Reading.
The committee will discuss second water meters at its March 20, 1996 meeting.
Ted McIntire informed the committee that as part of a Town wide employee evaluation program
the Committee would be requested to submit an evaluation on him to the Town Manager.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman, and approved by a vote of 3-0
to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 P.M.