HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT
Water Commissioner Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2004
Present: Chairman Donald T. Bates, Jr, Vice Chairman Danette Gonsalves,
Clerk George Cavanaugh, Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Secretary
Carol M. Connor
Also Present: Town Accountant Peggy Gallagher and Harry McCafferty
Meeting called to order at 8:15 AM by Chairman Bates.
Bills signed as presented.
Service applications signed for:
1. 155 Gilbert Lane
2. 14 Catherine Rose Road
Abatements signed as presented.
Danette Gonsalves made a motion to approve the minutes of January
6, 2004, as written. George Cavanaugh seconded. Unanimous vote
to approve.
Superintendent Wiegand gave an update on a meeting with the Town
Accountant. Indirect costs were charged for last year but no indication
was given where the money came from. Did this have to be approved
by town meeting? There is approximately $187,000.00 left in the
stabilization fund. An amount was specified for the Water Dept.
at last town meeting per the Town Accountant. Mr. Wiegand has this
in the proposed article. This indirect cost charge was a bookkeeping
procedure last year per the Town Accountant and no money actually
came out of the budget, but it will be different this year. This
year there is a Water Dept. special revenue fund and all receipts
go into this fund, along with the money from town meeting. Costs
and charges will be deducted from that fund. Peggy Gallagher will
supply the figures of the indirect costs from last year to Craig
Wiegand. The special revenue fund allows for the indirect costs
to be charged. Indirect costs were determined by the rate study.
The Board of Water Commissioners will now look at charging the
town for water usage and fire protection. These charges will not
exceed the indirect costs being charged to the department. George
Cavanaugh made a motion to have a meeting with Wayne Melville to
discuss this further, and a vote could be taken at the next Water
Dept meeting. The indirect costs need to be offset. Danette Gonsalves
seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous to approve. The debt
service going forward from July 1st will belong to the fund. The
old debt service is not being charged to the fund presently. Where
does the Water Dept. stand with the old debt at this time? It was
also determined that all reports will be done on a quarterly basis
and line items adjusted accordingly, so all figures will be known
on an interim basis. Peggy Gallagher asked if the Water Dept can
get someone to do financial accounting to go along with the Munis
system software. Superintendent Wiegand explained that this was
definitely a consideration. The Town Accountant also stated that
she will be available for assistance for the staff when the new
software is installed.
Budget discussion - Overtime figures have been recalculated and
adjusted per Mr. Wiegand. Corrections have been sent to the Finance
Committee.
Mr. Wiegand explained that the Barnstable County Lab is now going
through some restructuring. Test results are not being returned
in a timely fashion. He has decided to use Groundwater Analytical
Lab until things are up and running again at the Barnstable County
Lab. The Board agreed with this change.
Superintendent's report given by Mr. Wiegand.
The computer for the SCADA system needs to be replaced and the
amount will be $1,485.00. The Board voted to approve this expenditure.
Next meeting dates will be February 10th and February 24th.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM.
Donald T. Bates,Jr., Chairman
Danette Gonsalves, Vice Chairman
George Cavanaugh, Clerk
Craig Wiegand, Superintendent
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