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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-10-18 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 18, 1995 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:45 P.M. on Wednesday, October 18, 1995 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, and the following Public Works Department staff Public Works Director Ted McIntire, Business Supervisor David Lee and Water Treatment Supervisor Peter Tassi. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 3-0 to accept the minutes of September 20, 1995 as amended. The amendment is on the second page, next to the last paragraph change MS to Camille. Gas Spill/Well Test Pump Peter Tassi reviewed the placement of monitoring wells prior to the pump test for Reading production wells #2 and #3. He then explained the proposed location of six additional monitoring wells and one recovery well prior to any pump test on Reading production wells #13, 415 and 66-8. These additional wells will allow the Town to perform pump tests on any, or all of the three inactive production wells. However the plan is to pump test one well at a time, starting with #15. This is planned for early Spring of 1996. The location of the monitoring and recovery wells were determined from the presentation of data and discussion at the offices of Environmental Protection on October 16, 1995. Present at that meeting were officials from DEP, Handex, Cumberland Farms/Gulf, Weston & Sampson Engineers and Town of Reading staff. Tiered Water Rates Stewart Chipman will prepare a presentation to be reviewed by the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee and to be presented to the Board of Selectmen. The Committee wishes to meet with the Board of Selectmen on November 21, 1995 to discuss tiered water rates and water and sewer capital improvement programs. Ted McIntire will contact Peter Hechenbleikner and request that the Committee be scheduled. Capital Improvement David Lee prepared and presented a packet of information related to Water & Sewer budgets and funding as follows: 1. FY95 Water & Sewer operations - the information presented addressed revenues and expenses for the FY95 budget. In addition accounting of the Reserve/Emergency funds showed a balance on June 30, 1995 of $347,000 in Water and $720,000 in Sewer. This information reflects a summary of funds as outlined by the Town Accountant. 2. Water Treatment Plant Residuals Product status - Appropriations, Expenditures, and Balances were identified for the Residuals Lagoon wetland replication and Residuals Holding Tank projects. Available funding for these productions is approxmately $1.15 million dollars. 3. Other Projects Status - The status of other Capital projects related to the water system were identified. These included the Auburn Street elevated storage tank, Zone II study, Rapid Mix tank coating, and three FYI 996 Capital projects which have not begun at this time. 4. Ten Year Capital Improvement Program - The Committee discussed the funding and the scheduling for the Water Storage Tanks. Based on recent contract work on the Auburn Street Elevated Tank it is obvious that the existing Capital Program needs to be revised for water storage maintainance and possibly other water related projects. There was extensive discussion on how the many projects should be funded, including bonding. In the area of Capital Programs related to the Sewer system, it was suggested by the Committee that the Inflow/Infiltration program and the rehabilitation of existing sewer mains be accelerated from a three year program to a two or one year program. The Committee requested that Ted McIntire prepare a letter to the Chairman of the Capital Improvement Advisory Committee (CIAC), signed by Chairman Wood requesting a meeting with the CIAC to present the proposed Water & Sewer Improvement Program. FY96 Water & Sewer Rates The Committee discussed the possibility of a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen to reduce the sewer rates based on the fact that FY97 MWRA assessment to the Town of Reading is approximately $100,000 less than budgeted, and that there is in excess of $700,000 in the Reserve/Emergency fund. The Committee discussed the possibility of presenting an instructional motion at the November, 1995 Town Meeting to use a portion of the Sewer Reserve fund in order to reduce the present sewer usage rate for the February 1, and May 1, 1995 billing. DPW staff will meet with the Town Manager and prepare a rate evaluation for the Committee's next meeting. General The next meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee is scheduled for November 1, 1995 to discuss FY1996 Water & Sewer rates and FY1997 to FY2006 Capital Improvement Programs for Water & Sewer. Gail Wood suggested that Town Treasurer Beth Klepeis and Town Accountant Richard Foley be invited to the next meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee meeting to discuss the Town's policies and practices on funding options, including bonding. Agenda Items for meetings in December, January and February are to include second water meters (rate & policies), water and sewer rates for FY1997, Public Hearing for FY1997 water \ and sewer rates and water restriction policy. It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:32 P.M.