COMMISSIONERS: Acting Chairman Jim Tuttle, Charles McGettigan and Stanley Schultz; Carl Somero (Water Superintendent), Joanna K. Eckstrom (Secretary).
Commissioners assembled at 7:00 PM for purpose of discussing accounts payable; business meeting called to order by Jim Tuttle at 7:30 PM.
MINUTES August 25, 2009 – Moved - by Charlie, second by Stan, to accept the Aug. 25th minutes as written (and posted on the website). All commissioners in favor.
As no formal agenda was prepared, commissioners discussed bills and on-going items as follows:
1. Pennichuck Water Company – Invoice #7010943 in amount of $8,055.34 for July 2009 contracted services will be paid in full. However, as the monthly contract includes Hydrant Flushing and this has not been done in 2009 by Pennichuck, Joanna will draft note requesting an adjustment refund or credit for amount attributable to hydrant flushing. This note will be included with payment of the bill.
2. Water Works Tape Recorder – Jim and/or Joanna will contact Diane (or Neil Faiman) to retrieve.
3. Sue Egan - Charlie pressure tested service; result 72#; appliance problem unrelated to WWW.
4. Backflow device installation – all completed. Re: Joan Lemire’s Yellow Block, bill should be for parts (backflow device and meter) and Bob Bragdon’s labor. Charlie and Stan will review work order and render a bill.
5. Backflow device Inspections – all are completed. There are a few services that failed or are non-existent. Jim and Joanna will draft letter, citing Wilton’s Ordinance, that will be mailed FRES, Roedel Companies, Eastview Condominium Association, Draper (ENI LLC), Souhegan Wood Products, Wilton Main Street Association (Wilton Falls Building), Town Hall (Recycling Center). David Jennings, 10 Rebeckah’s Way will get letter as well. When WWW visited his property after recent hydrant flushing, it was noted that his irrigation system needs backflow device. Water Users will be given 90 days to respond, asked to put this item on their budget requests for 2010, and are to be advised that all work must be completed by May 31, 2010 or service will be disconnected.
6. Holt Road Chlorinator – Project to start 10/1 – Carl is on target for completing within a few days. Carl will notify MACC Base when project is finished. There was a little concern about the valves in the woods, but these are easily addressed. Also the old flooring can be recycled or dumped; property owner has a pile of ¾” stone that can be used to restore elevation. Requests that WWW replace it later.
7. Pump Station Equipment and Operations – Stan is still working on resolution to bill; Carl has the Operators Manual and he and Jim are comfortable with training. Carl reports a reduction of chemical usage is a good thing. Variable speed drive has been adjusted, Carl has learned how to reset device. Reports from system now accurate.
8. Ken Cadrain – paid the new water service connection fee and has signatures from his neighbors that WWW requested. It’s estimated that it will take 74’ of (plastic) pipe to connect him. Cadrain is working with WWW to get materials, labor, etc. Work is to begin promptly.
Note: although the job requires only 74’ of pipe, property owner will buy a 100 ft roll and will return unused portion to WWW. Jim bought a 1000 foot roll of metallic tape ($29) that WWW will use over new or repaired lines – as a ‘dig-safe’ precaution. (the Kennedy’s on Dale Street will be given a supply to use on their project.)
9. Cutaway Hydrant demos were done to WWW satisfaction. Although the barrels on new hydrants are smaller than WWW pipes, it has been confirmed that there is no degradation of performance. Output is same if not better than expected.
10. Stan and Charlie reported that there is an extra valve on Island Street (near Varney and Burke) that needs to be blocked with a 3 x 3 board. Concern is that if someone tries to turn valve, it will ‘blow up’ the street. Stan and Charlie recommended that Carl investigate and fix this asap.
11. New Bill Format – a new format was expected in early September. Joanna worked with Jane at Town Hall and submitted copy, approved by WWW, to Tina Peabody at BMSI for a quotation. Due to miscommunication, the project did not move forward; there isn’t a new bill at Sept. 30. Stan will visit Town Hall tomorrow, October 1st, to confirm status and expedite production.
In the meantime, meters have been read (by Jim McGettigan) and data
has been given to Jane. Carl followed up on some meters that Jim
could not read. When all information is input, a current bill can
be generated.
Per Jane’s report through September 30, there is $2,554 in outstanding
bills, some of which go back to 2004. Effort should be made to ‘clean
up’ this list as some of the services have been shut, are in vacated properties,
etc.
12. Jim presented a map of the water and sewer lines at the Hillsborough Mills property. Joanna will bring it to Burbak or Staples so that it can be laminated.
13. Andy Gallagher of Shrewsbury MA presented a quote to pour lead joints on valves in WWW storage. His price is $200 per valve. This process will make old valves re-usable. (Cost for a new 6” valve is $489 and an 8” valve is $750.) Andy will be given the go ahead to fix the valves asap.
14. Carl reported that the telephone has been hooked up at the trailer. He will contact TDS for internet service hookup via Town’s connection or a new connection.
15. A direct vent propane heater for the pump station office is $1300 and is cost prohibitive. Heating the office will be done via cutting hole in concrete wall between rooms and installing muffin fans to move air / heat. Alan Preston will be advised to complete insulation work asap.
16. Jim had photos from the dam on Putnam Hill Road near Neil Faiman’s property. Prescott has a product that they recommend to plug the gaps and Limerick is able to do the work. WWW took this info under advisement.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 28.
There being no other business , the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanna K Eckstrom
Wilton Water Works
Secretary / Administrative Assistant
October 12, 2009
Website Posted: October 12, 2009