HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT
Water Commissioner Meeting Minutes
September 24, 2002
Present: Chairman Donald T. Bates, Vice Chairman Danette Gonsalves,
Clerk George Cavanaugh, Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Assistant
Superintendent Bruce Cahoon, Secretary Carol Connor, Meter Technician
Michael Sanford.
Meeting called to order by Chairman Bates at 8:15 AM.
Bill schedules signed as presented.
Service applications signed for:
1. 731 Depot Street
2. 9 Seaport Lane
3. 169 Route 137
4. 31 Pleasant Park Circle
5. 14 Old Carriage Drive
6. 58 Pleasant Lake Avenue
7. 78 Old Chatham Road
8. 14 Sea Pine Knoll
9. 20 Old Carriage Drive
10. Skinequit Pond Road
Minutes of 09/03/02 -- Mrs. Gonsalves made a motion to approve
as written. Mr. Cavanaugh seconded. Unanimous vote to approve.
Appointments: 8:30 -- Umberto Longo for a watering violation at
149 Depot Road. Mr. Longo explained his irrigation system operation.
He claims he never received a warning and is protesting the fine
issued. Mr. Wiegand explained the warning procedure and that warning
letters were usually left at the houses watering at the wrong time
or on the wrong day. Notices were placed in the newspapers, on
channel 18, and at each main entrance to town. Mr. Longo still
states that he is not guilty of a watering violation due to not
being properly notified, and being unaware of the ban. Michael
Sanford explained that on the day in question both sides of Mr.
Longo's driveway were wet, but Mr. Ganong his neighbor stated it
was his sprinkler system that blew over onto Mr. Longo's property.
The Board decided to waive the fine in this particular instance.
8:45 -- Curtis Ganong of 145 Depot Road admitted to his violation.
He showed the Board members a copy of a letter he had written explaining
that he was on a Scott's fertilization program and needed to water.
He is appealing the $50.00 fine on what he feels was his first
offense, and he feels that more than one warning should have been
given. He stated that on that particular day his sprinkler system
was on but he was not at home. He has now changed his system to
be in compliance. The Board decided that Mr. Ganong did admit to
his violation, therefore his fine remains in place.
9:00 -- Peter Stagg stated that his water bill was over 4 million
gallons and they were notified of the overage by the Water Department
who also came over on several occasions to check for leaks. His
bill is over $9,000, and he does not have an irrigation system.
He also stated that he has stopped washing customer cars as a courtesy
and now only washes new cars. The Water Department has removed
the meter and sent it for testing. It tested correctly and is operating
fine. The Water Department also has done leak detection on this
property and can find no leaks. There was a previous high consumption
(1992) in which the same thing happened and no reason was ever
found. Mr. Stagg previously requested an abatement and was refused.
The Boards decision was that the owner is responsible for the water
and no abatement is to be granted. They suggested that Mr. Stagg
have a plumber thoroughly check his entire system.
9:15 -- David Hill of 547 Pleasant Lake Avenue Æ Mr. Hill's water
was turned off due to non-payment and he is protesting the $100
reconnection fee. He stated that he did receive his bill at his
home off-Cape but did not pay it. He then said his mailbox was
damaged so he did not get the shutoff notice, and he did not see
the one placed on his property here because it was in the front
door and he uses the back door. He asked for waiver of the $100
fee. The Board decided that the fee was to remain in place in this
instance.
9:30 -- Bridget Fretthold of 10 Mary Willet Court claims she was
very sparing with the water used on her lawn. She also claims she
was not notified properly and should not have been fined. Michael
Sanford presented pictures taken at her property of the irrigation
running, and of the notice placed on her door. She claims the pictures
mean nothing and were taken after the rain. At this time, it had
not rained for over 8 weeks. The Board decided that the fines were
to remain in place on this property.
9:45 am -- George Spault failed to appear before the Board. Therefore
the previous decision of requiring an 8" main and a hydrant remains
intact.
Letters received from Rudy Mucha of 9 Courtney Road, Ruta Ule
of 4 Eagle's Nest, and Thomas O'Connor of 89 Depot Road, all protesting
the fines issued to them. There is enough evidence to justify the
fines so the Board decided that the fines are to remain in place.
Superintendent's report given by Mr. Wiegand.
Draft of rules and regulations were given to each commissioner
for review and future discussion.
Next meetings to be held on October 8 and October 22, 2002.
Donald T. Bates,Jr., Chairman
Danette Gonsalves, Vice Chairman
George Cavanaugh, Clerk
Craig Wiegand, Superintendent
Carol M. Connor, Secretary
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