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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-03-13 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES March 13, 1995 A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at 7:40 P.M. in the Employee Lounge, Reading Town Hall, Reading MA. In attendance were Chairman Gail Wood, Secretary Stewart Chipman, Committee member Richard Moore, Public Works Director Ted McIn- tire and DPW Supervisor of Business Services, David Lee. Water Capital Ted McIntire gave an overview of the recommended Capital Improve- ment Program covering the Fiscal Years 1996 to 2005. A discus- sion regarding the Water Reserve/Emergency Fund balance ensued. Stewart Chipman moved to retain $175,000 in the Water Reserve/ Emergency fund and to transfer $393,00 from the fund. The projected rate would be $2.48 per 100 cubic feet, an increase of 6.4%. The motion was not seconded. It was moved, seconded and voted 3-0 to adjourn to the Con- ference Room for a meeting with the Finance Committee at 8:20 P.M. The Water & Sewer Advisory Committee resumed the regular business meeting at 9:30 P.M. in the Employees Lounge. The Committee discussed their involvement in the Budget process and it's pending recommendation to the Board of Selectmen related to water and sewer rates. Richard Moore moved, that at a future meeting, the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee set guidelines for setting water and sewer rates. These guidelines, should include but not be limited to, the balance of the Reserve/Emergency fund, impact of future Capi- tal expenditures, and impacts of expected Grants or additional monies to be paid into the Reserve/ Emergency funds. The motion was seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 3-0. Approval of Minutes February 9, 1995 - it was recommended that on Page 1 under the heading 11FY96 Water Rates" the second line should read "it was noted that the salary increase had been reduced from 3% to 2.5%.", and on Page 2 of that same section in the next to last paragraph, the last sentence the vote was 110-311. It was moved by Stewart Chipman, seconded by Gail Wood that the minutes of February 9, 1995 as amended be approved. The motion passed by a vote of 3-0. Sewer Budget Ted McIntire reviewed the revised Budget for FY96 - changes were related to the salary of the Supervisor and the MWRA assessment. Water Budget Ted McIntire reviewed the revised Budget, noting changes in two Supervisor's salaries and the Reserve/Emergency Fund transfer. Stewart Chipman moved to recommend to the Board of Selectman, in writing, that a balance of $200,000 be retained in the Water Reserve/Emergency Fund. The motion was seconded by Gail Wood. The Committee discussed the need to develop justification for the recommendation. Stewart Chipman volunteered to draft a letter to the Board of Selectmen. It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Gail Wood and approved by a vote of 3-0 to table the previous motion. Water Rates Richard Moore moved to instruct the Department to prepare water rate projections based on the following: 1. Finance Committee vote: 2. $200,000 Reserve Fund balance: 3. $175,000 Reserve Fund balance. The motion was seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 3-0. Sewer Rates It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman, and approved by a vote of 3-0 to instruct the Department to prepare a package for a recommended sewer rate based on the Finance Com- mittee vote. Sewer Tie-in Regulations Richard Moore moved to recommend that the Board of Selectmen change the regulations to require connecting to the sanitary sewer upon a failure of a septic system only. The motion was seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 2-0-1 (Gail Wood abstaining). It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman and approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:58 P.M.