Water Commissioners Meeting Minutes                                                August 12, 2010

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TOWN OF WILTON

WATER COMMISSIONERS

DRAFT MINUTES

 

DATE:            August 12, 2010

TIME:            7:00 P.M.

PLACE:          Wilton Town Hall Courtroom

PRESENT:     Commissioners Charlie McGettigan, Jim Tuttle, Robert Duquette, Carl LaChance and Clerk Mary LaChance

 

 1         The meeting began at 7:00 p.m.

 2

 3         The Commissioners discussed hiring Mary LaChance as clerk. The pay agreed

 4         on was fifteen dollars per hour for meetings and an additional two dollars per hour

 5         for outside projects such as letters, notices, etc. Postage and mileage will be paid

 6         for by Petty Cash in the Town Clerk's office. Meeting minutes will be completed                       

 7         and delivered no later than five days from the date of the meeting.

 8

 9         A MOTION was made by Jim Tuttle and SECONDED by Robert Duquette to

10        to hire Mary LaChance as the Commission's Clerk.

11        Voting: motion carried unanimously.

12

13        The Commissioners discussed the expense of sewer pump station maintenance  

14        and agreed that Carl Somero should perform routine, basic service on the pump

15        stations to avoid the high cost of outside contractors. It was decided that, on       

16        Monday the 16th of August, Mr. Tuttle, Mr. McGettigan and Mr. LaChance will 

17        meet to evaluate the sewer pump stations at 6 p.m. Mr. LaChance will be

18        provided with a key to the pump stations.

19       

20        Mr. Tuttle presented a letter from Paul Whittemore. The letter advised that the

21        Roedels' plan to install one backflow device, on the water main leading to their

22        building, puts the tenants at risk of drinking contaminated water because domestic

23        service lines will connect to the water main beyond the backflow device.

24        Discussion about liability and resolving this issue followed. Mr. Duquette will

25        contact Fred Roedel and arrange a meeting on the 25th of August.

26

27        Mr. McGettigan presented a letter, from Susan Pliner, requesting permission to

28        swim in the reservoir. Ms. Pliner sent a copy of her deed along with the letter

29        stating that she had authority to use the well that's located on the Water Works'

30        land. It was unclear exactly what well she was claiming rights to. Mr. Duquette  

31        noted that he put up two signs to warn that there is no swimming and there are no

32        animals allowed. He suggested sending her a letter to notify her that she is not   

33        allowed to swim in the reservoir. Mr. McGettigan noted that he already responded

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 1         to her by informing her that she is not allowed to swim there.

 2        

 3         Mr. Tuttle pointed out a discrepancy between accounts billed and accounts paid.

 4         The difference was determined to be caused by a deficiency in the program used

 5         to generate bills. The Town Hall computer, with access to the accounts database,  

 6         isn't able to generate a bill that includes all of the items it should. Therefore, the       

 7         town has paid   for services that it hasn't billed for. Mr. Duquette suggested

 8         contacting the person responsible for making changes to the existing program so           

 9         that more fields can be added to include additional data. Mr. Tuttle and Mr.

10        McGettigan will discuss this with Jane.

11       

12        Mr. Tuttle noted that, after speaking with Dave, he was unable to obtain water

13        funding. He was able to find sewer funding, but not water. Mr. Duquette agreed.

14        He was only able to find money for sewer as well.

15

16        Mr. Tuttle asked the commissioners if Carl Somero should assist the high school

17        with their water pressure problem by installing a spare pump just before the

18        parking lot. He noted that Carl already assisted them with a spare hose and that

19        may be enough to solve the problem. Mr. Duquette agreed that they should do 

20        something to help them out. Mr. Tuttle advised that the reason for the lack of

21        water pressure could be a leak caused by recent construction in the area.

22

23        Mr. Duquette requested that they give Roedel a scheduled date for work that

24        needs to be done there. He requested that the hydrant be a priority.

25       

26        Mr. Tuttle suggested that the hydrant near the high school be used at Roedel. He

27        advised that the hydrant near the high school needed to be replaced. The hydrant

28        would not be used as a serviceable hydrant, but as a means of drainage to the

29        river rather than digging and laying pipe to the river. Mr. Duquette noted that the

30        ISO may take issue with a hydrant being used this way. Mr. Tuttle suggested that

31        a trash can be placed over the hydrant so that it won't be mistaken for a usable

32        one and noted that this is already being done with another hydrant on Main Street.

33       

34        Mr. Tuttle noted that Steve was charged more than expected to fill the hole. He       

35        was charged approximately two hundred dollars for gravel and equipment.

36

37        Mr. Tuttle suggested that something be put in writing, as notification, that pay

38        rates have changed. He noted that Pam was unaware of this change. Mr. Duquette 

39        noted that this was agreed upon at a Selectman's meeting and suggested writing a 

 40       letter from the Water Commission stating, "per Selectman's approval, the rate we  

41        are going to use is thirty dollars per hour plus twenty percent, which brings us to                            

42        thirty-six dollars an hour, per person".

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 1         A MOTION was made by Mr. Duquette to end the meeting. All were in favor.

 2         The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.     

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary LaChance

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