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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-11-01 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES November 1, 1995 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:52 P.M. on Wednesday, November 1, 1995 in the Conference Room, Reading Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading, MA. In attendance were Chairman Gail Wood, Secretary Stewart Chipman, Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Business Supervisor David Lee and Town Treasurer Elizabeth Klepeis. Gail Wood welcomed Beth Klepeis to the meeting. Funding Options Gail Wood explained the previous discussions the Committee had regarding project funding, in particular for water related items. The Committee was interested in the policies and practices of the Town regarding bonding. Beth indicated that Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Sections 7 & 8 define what can be bonded. Maintenance generally is not eligible for bonding. Projects need to be identified, the laws researched and the Town needs to consult with bond Counsel. Stewart Chipman indicated that many Capital projects scheduled for the next 10 years are maintenance related. These maintenance items become necessary after many years, and the cost should be spread over a period of time so that rates do not flucuate yearly but are more stabilized. He also wanted to know if a depreciation fund could be developed. Beth informed the Committee that the Reading Municipal Light Department has developed a depreciation fund. Richard Foley joined the meeting at 8:15 P.M. Richard indicated that to his knowledge the Town of Lexington, MA was the only Town in the Commonwealth that had developed a depreciation fund under the Enterprise system in Water or Sewer. Beth Klepeis and Richard Foley will research the laws related to bonding and provide the Committee with guidelines and a copy of the laws. The Committee thanked Beth and Richard for attending the meeting and looked forward to receiving the information packet. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Stewart Chipman, seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote 2-0 to accept the minutes of October 18, 1995 as written. 9 Capital Program - Sewer Ted McIntire reviewed the proposed Capital program with the Committee. Projects proposed within the next 10 fiscal years include a continuation of the Inflow/Infiltration program (involving house to house inspections), replacement of a 1983 International Dump Truck #17, sewer construction in the Mill St. area and replacing existing clay tile pipe within various areas of Town. Capital Program - Water The Committee reviewed the proposed Capital program for the distribution system which included the following projects: Repair and painting of the three water storage tanks; looping of dead end water mains on H. St., Hanscom Ave., Winthrop Ave., Mineral St., Waverly Rd. and Oakland Rd.; clean and line an existing 6" water main on Main St. from Ash St. to South St.; and replacement of a 6" water main with a 8" diameter water main in Wakefield St. from Charles St. to Pearl St. In the area of Water Treatment the following projects were recommended: exploration, testing and development for new drinking water sources throughout the Town; replacement of power cables to the Town Forest Well and Well #82-20; replacement of the existing roof on the main building at the Water Treatment Plant; purchase of a new pickup truck and trade-in of the existing 1983 Chevrolet pickup truck; modification of the existing filter beds; and construction of a new Water Treatment Plant. After much discussion it was recommended that funding for a feasability study be acquired prior to recommendation for a new Treatment Plant. This would involve looking at numerous options for water supply, evaluate the existing Treatment Plant, and evaluate existing and proposed drinking water regulations. FY96 Sewer Rates David Lee presented a package of information to the Committee regarding the existing sewer rate, a proposed sewer rate for the second half of FY 1996 and an estimated sewer rate for FY1997. The recommended sewer rate for the second half of FY1996 is $3.84 per 100 cubic feet. This reduction from the existing rate of $4.53 is possible by a reduction in the Sewer Budget of $100,000 and a transfer from the Reserve Fund in the amount of $67,000. After extensive discussion the Committee voted for the following: It was moved by Stewart Chipman, to transfer $67,000 from the Sewer Reserve/Emergency Fund to the FY96 Sewer Budget. The motion wasseconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 2-0. It was moved by Stewart Chipman, to reduce the FY96 Sewer Budget Non-Personal Services by $100,000 to an amount of $2,503,075 which reduces the total FY 96 Sewer Budget from $2,856.589 to $2,756,589. The motion was seconded by Gain Wood and approved by a vote of 2-0. It was moved by Stewart Chipman, to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the FY96 sewer rate by set at $3.84 per 100 cubic feet with a minimum bill of $19.20 effective with Feb. 1, 1997 billing. The motion was seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a motion of 2-0. General The next scheduled meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee is Wednesday, November 15, 1995. Items to be discussed include Tiered Water Rates and funding options. The Committee is scheduled to meet with the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, November 7, 1995 at 9:30 P.M. to discuss the sewer rate revision for FY 1996. Ted McIntire informed the Committee that the Open Space Task Force has requested to be re-activatted in order to complete their report. Stewart Chipman indicated that he was interested in meeting with the Task Force and will contact Nancy Eaton to acquire a copy of their draft report and get information as to the direction they are heading. It was moved by Stewart Chipman, seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 2-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 P.M.