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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-26 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 26, 1995 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:40 P.M. on Monday, June 26, 1995 in the Conference Room, Read- ing Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading, MA. In attendance were Chairman Gail Wood, Committee member Richard Moore, and Public Works Director Ted McIntire. Reorganization Due to the absence of Committee member Stewart Chipman, it was decided to postpone reorganization until the next meeting. The Committee reviewed the applications for appointment to the Committee which included Stewart Chipman, Robert Cavicchi and Vincent Imperial. Following discussion it was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 2-0 to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that Stewart Chipman be reap- pointed to a three year term to the Water & Sewer Advisory Com- mittee. The Committee welcomes residents to attend regular meet- ings of the Water & Sewer Committee and Gail Wood will invite the unsuccessful candidates (during the Selectmen's appointment process). Approval of Minutes Richard Moore recommended the addition of a statement indicating that "connection to the sanitary sewer system would only be re- quired on failure of an existing septic system". It was moved by Richard Moore seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 2-0 to accept the minutes of May 17, 1995 as augmented. Auburn Street Elevated Storage Tank Ted McIntire informed the Committee that the original appropria- tion approved over two years ago was in the amount of $200,000. A decision was made to complete the interior sandblasting, repairs and painting in FY95 and postpone the exterior work to a future date. Due to the amount of pitting inside the tank it is estimated that the total expenditure for the interior will be ap- proximately $150,000, which will leave a balance of $50,000. The Department has received an estimate of $150,000 to pressure clean and mechanically scrape loose paint from the exterior of the tank, and the application of a penetrating paint. This surface is expected to last 8 - 10 years. Another option would be to sandblast the exterior of the tank and paint it as originally planned. This would cost $305,000 and would last approximately 15 years. The Town's engineering consultant has indicated that painting the exterior of this tank should be planned for FY97 or sooner, but it was not necessary to paint it in the next 12 months. Gail Wood recommended draining the Bear Hill standpipe to deter- mine the condition of the interior of that tank prior to making a decision as to whether the Town should proceed with the planned interior painting in FY96 or divert that money to address the ex- terior of the Auburn Street elevated tank. In any event a deci- sion would not be made prior to November 1995 Town Meeting. Water Restrictions Gail Wood recommended that the public notification, to be sent out prior to July 14, 1995, should be on yellow paper so that citizens "won't miss it". In addition, on the outside of the flyer she recommended using the Town Seal in the upper left hand corner and a statement underneath the address label which states "This notice may save you up to $300.00". Ted McIntire will ad- vise the Town Manager of these recommendations. Gasoline Spill Site Ted McIntire explained the program of monitoring water levels and water quality and the placing of seven additional monitoring wells prior to activating Town of Reading production wells #2 and #3. He indicated that prior to activating these wells that static water levels and water quality testing will be done in all monitoring wells in and adjacent to the spill site and the production wells of the Town. Water Treatment Plant Residuals Ted McIntire informed the Committee that the Department had ap- plied to the Department of Environmental Protection for our Water Treatment Plant residuals to be classified to Type I, which would allow them to land applied. Capitalization Fund The Committee discussed the possibility of developing a "Sinking Fund or Depreciation Account" to begin putting money aside to offset the expenses of constructing a new Water Treatment Plant in the future. The idea had recently been brought up at a Board of Selectmen meeting by Camille Anthony. Ted McIntire will con- sult with Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner on the feasability and path to pursuing this option. The Committee and staff will be meeting with the Board of Selectmen, Town Treasurer/Collector Beth Klepeis, Town Accountant Richard Foley and other Town offi- cials during this process. Water Rate Structure The Selectmen have requested a report from the Water & Sewer Ad- visory Committee during the month of September regarding a tiered water rate. It is necessary to contact other communities regard- ing the pros and cons of instituting a tiered rate structure. Richard Moore and Ted McIntire will develop a question sheet to be used when contacting the communities. Old/New Business Ted McIntire received information from Michael Kuklinski, Rates Manager for the MWRA. The assessment for FY96 will be in the amount of $2,269,484, this is a reduction of $114,991 from the budgeted FY96 amount. It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 2-0 to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 P.M.