HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT
Water Commissioner Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2001
Present: Chairman Danette Gonsalves, Vice Chairman Donald T. Bates,
Jr., Clerk Gary Sinclair, Acting Superintendent Deborah A. Fuller,
Assistant Superintendent Bruce Cahoon, Secretary Carol Connor
Meeting called to order by Chairman Gonsalves.
Minutes of meeting on 09/18/01 - motion by Mr. Sinclair to approve.
Seconded by Mrs. Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve.
Bills and payroll schedules approved for payment and signed.
Service applications signed for #9276, 9282, 9281, 9280, and 9
Salt Meadow Lane.
Safety measures in the treatment buildings are being worked on.
Eyewash has been reordered, and chemicals are reordered. Chains
on stairs need to be put in place yet.
Old/Unfinished Business: Budget discussion. Date needs to be set
as the budget deadline is 08/31/01. 5 year projection was reviewed.
Board of Water Commissioners needs a copy of the capital plan as
voted at the last town meeting. New tank and mains should be in
F/Y2003. Iron and manganese should go into F/Y2004 due to pumping
demands, and getting well #4 on line. We need a design and engineering
funds article, along with current figure for design and construction.
The engineering cost for the design needs an article. Leo Yuskus
of Haley and Ward needs to be consulted on the current cost of
a new tank.
New source exploration needs to be pushed up to F/Y2003. There
would be 4 years of permitting. F/Y2005 will remain empty for now.
Contact Ann Magor to see when we are on.
Mrs. Fuller recommended that the Board vote to have all the blue
pipe removed from the system since there are presently problems
and seeing that this is a resort area problems could occur during
the winter and the town could be held liable for damages as we
knew the pipe was faulty. The company is making good for up to
10 years. Motion by Mrs. Gonsalves to have all the blue pipe changed
out at the expense of the pipe manufacturer. Letters were sent
to all contractors. Seconded by Mr. Bates. Unanimous vote to approve.
Discussion regarding finishing the outside stairs, Mr. Sinclair
suggested we hire an outside contractor to finish the stairs and
we could possibly get the prisoners again. Rehab of buildings is
still being worked on and money is still left in the article.
Per Bruce Cahoon, he spoke to Chuck Hart of Salt Meadow Motel,
and Mr. Hart is going to be sending a letter to the Board regarding
the rust problem and how he can help. Also, we should meet with
the Chamber of Commerce and hotel/lodging group for support.
Route 28 contract vendor complaint. A call was received from Sumner & Dunbar
that Chaves Construction still owes them $20,000. The engineer
from EarthTech has contacted Sumner & Dunbar regarding the problem.
The Water Department is still holding retainage for infra-red treatment.
Board discussion regarding John McCarthy's education costs. Mr.
Sinclair made a motion to reconsider paying for his education.
Mrs. Gonsalves seconded. Unanimous vote to approve. The Board of
Water Commissioners is adding the stipulation that there should
be no interference with his job, normal work day, flushing, standby,
or leaks due to schooling or studying per motion by Mr. Sinclair.
Seconded by Mr. Bates. Unanimous vote to approve.
New Business: Peter Scichilone's complaint regarding being asked
to leave property was discussed.. Mr. Scichilone complained to
Mr. Sinclair and Selectmen Donald Howell. It was an unauthorized
vehicle within the gate. Mr. Scichilone should have parked outside
the gate (as a visitor) and checked in with the office. A letter
will be written and sent to Mr. Scichilone.
Per motion by Mr. Sinclair, signs will be posted on all Water
Department facilities. These will require visitors checking in
at office and no vehicles beyond the gates. Motion seconded by
Mr. Bates. Unanimous vote to approve.
Privatize/financial impact information given to Board members.
Haley & Ward and Chicago Bridge & Iron information and letters
read. A meeting should be held with the above companies and the
Board of Selectmen. Mr. Fink is not an abutter to the property.
We can bring in Leo Yuskus of Haley and Ward for a presentation
at town meeting regarding the new tank. All cellular information
should be put in writing to us.
A letter from Bruce Cahoon was read by the Board of Water Commissioners
suggesting a warning be sent to John McCarthy as a direct order
was disregarded concerning use of a town vehicle. This is insubordination
per Mr. Sinclair and grounds for dismissal. A letter of reprimand
needs to be put in his file. This should also include not responding
to a page this weekend from the Fire Department because he claimed
the pager was not working properly. Motion made by Mr. Sinclair
to send a letter to John McCarthy about Water Department procedures
and insubordination. Mrs. Gonsalves seconded. Unanimous vote to
approve.
Old and new charges of Water Quality Task Force reviewed. This
needs to be discussed with the Selectmen. Mr. Sinclair made a motion
to appoint Mrs. Fuller as liason to Water Quality Task Force. Seconded
by Mrs. Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve.
Per Board of Water Commissioners, it is recommended that the Superintendent
make an employment offer to William D. Eldredge (Dusty)
Minutes of 9/21/01 - motion by Mr. Sinclair to approve. Mrs. Gonsalves
seconded. Unanimous vote to approve.
Superintendent's report read.
Discussion regarding Northern Data System billing system and the
billing problems that have been incurred along with the changes
in versions being used. A letter needs to be sent to them stating
that we will be pursuing further information through town counsel.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.
Danette Gonsalves, Chairman
Donald T. Bates Jr, Vice Chairman
Gary Sinclair, Clerk
Deborah A. Fuller, Acting Superintendent
Carol M. Connor, Secretary
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