HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-10-19 Water and Sewer Advisory Committee MinutesWATER & SEWER.ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES
October 19, 1994
A meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Committee was held at
7:42 P.M. on October 19, 1994 in the Conference Room, Reading
Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading, MA.
In attendance were Chairman Gail Wood, Secretary Stewart Chipman,
Committee member Richard Moore and Public Works Director Ted
McIntire.
DEP Consent Order
Mr. McIntire informed the Committee that DEP had lost the
original copy of the Consent Order, we picked up two copies
brought them to Selectmen Chairman Dan Ensminger and delivered
them back to DEP.
FY96 Water Budget
Ted McIntire reviewed the Water Budget with the Committee. The
financial guidelines for this budget were set at 2.2% increases
on expenses and 3% increase on salaries. It was noted that the
Department expected some promotions at the Water Treatment Plant
and salary increases were per the Union contract. In addition
the Department has requested two temporary employees to be used
for hydrant maintenance.
FY96 Sewer Budget
Ted McIntire reviewed the Sewer Budget with The Committee, the
same guidelines were applied. There is still a need to update
the MWRA assessment and Ted will contact Tom Gawrys at the MWRA.
It was also noted that the Hazardouse Waste request should be
made within the rubbish budget and not within the sewer budget.
Sewer Methodology
Ted will contact the MWRA to get population and contributing
population numbers from MWRA. Mrs. Wood recommended that the
Committee develop a formula based on the MWRA assessment-identify
what the assessment would have been if sewer assessment was based
on population.
Stewart Chipman will prepare a presentation for the Committee to
review at the next scheduled Advisory Board meeting.
Graduated Water Rate
The Committee discussed the directive from the Board of Selectmen
regarding their recommendation on a graduated water, rate. Fol-
lowing much discussion on the subject, Ted McIntire recommended
that he contact John Sullivan Chief Engineer of Water and Sewer.
Stewart Chipman volunteered to contact the Town of Winchester
regarding their graduated rates.
Water Restrictions
Ted McIntire discussed water restrictions during the winter
months. Due to the fact the water demand during those months is
considerably reduced he recommended that the Town go to a Stage 1
restriction (voluntary) from November 1, 1994 to May 1, 1995.
Notification to water users could be made in the November 1 and
May 1 water and sewer bills.
Richard Moore moved to reduce restrictions from the present Stage
2 to Stage 1 voluntary usage on November 1, 1994, Stage 2 to be
reinstated on May 1, 1995 if present conditions continue with
regard to the water production wells. It was seconded by Stewart
Chipman and approved by a vote of 3-0.
Ted McIntire will contact the Town Manager with this recommenda-
tion.
General
The Committee reviewed and completed the Cable TV Advisory Com-
mittee questionnaire. Ted McIntire will give this to a member of
the Cable TV Advisory Committee.
The next scheduled meeting of the Water & Sewer Advisory Com-
mittee will be November 16, 1994 to discuss Sewer billing
methodology and graduated Water rates.
It was moved by Richard Moore, seconded by Stewart Chipman and
approved by a vote of 3-0 to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 P.M.