HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT
Water Commissioner Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2005
Present: Danette Gonsalves, Vice Chairman, George Cavanaugh, Clerk,
Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Secretary Carol M. Connor
Absent: Donald T. Bates, Jr.
Meeting called to order at 8:15 AM by Danette Gonsalves.
Bill schedules signed as presented.
Minutes of meeting of 02/15/05 approved as written as per a motion
made by George Cavanaugh, and seconded by Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous
vote to approve.
Earth Tech will be holding a seminar re: Water Management at the
Radisson Hotel in Hyannis, on Thursday, March 24th . Let Craig
Wiegand know if you are interested in attending.
Memo from Bruce Gibson read regarding Harwich Civic Spirit Day
to be held on April 9th, at the Community Center, from 11:30 until
3:00. Response needs to be received by 03/20/05 if planning to
participate.
Jill Mason of Channel 18 sent a memo to re-do the "Know Your Town" series
prior to the upcoming town meeting. She will be contacting us during
the next few weeks to see if we are interested.
Superintendent Wiegand reported on the water mains pre-construction
meeting with CC Construction. Work should start in approximately
2 weeks. He also reported that the generator installations are
waiting for a break in the weather. Cape Light Compact is in the
process of being reviewed with the bidders.
Debbe Fuller spoke to the Board regarding obtaining a postage
and mailing machine for this department. She has done research
and the Pitney Bowes model DM500 is the one that would work better
for our use. It would be more cost effective to have our own machine
so the staff does not have to haul all the bills to the town hall
to put on the postage and then to the post office to mail. (This
happens 6 times per year.) If we have a machine and generate the
postage from here the Post Office will also pick up the bills here.
It will be most cost effective to rent the machine because this
would include maintenance. George Cavanaugh asked how long the
machine is expected to last. Mr. Wiegand will follow up on this
question for the next Board meeting.
New service applications reviewed by the Board members.
Discussion regarding Enterprise Fund. Letter from Attorney Patrick
Costello was reviewed. All finances would be going through the
Board of Water Commissioners. Enterprise Fund has to stay intact
for at least 3 years, and then could revert if so desired. The
agreement with the Selectmen should be supplemented per George
Cavanaugh. If we are ready to go to Enterprise Fund now, then this
is the time to go ahead and do it per Mr. Cavanaugh. Danette Gonsalves
agrees that this seems to be the time to go ahead. Mr. Wiegand
and Town Accountant David Ryan will talk to Wayne Melville. Per
George Cavanaugh, the Enabling Act needs to stay in place and not
be repealed.
Discussion regarding demographics of population during summer
season and off season. Pumping is down 10 million gallons for January
and February per Superintendent Wiegand. Is it weather related?
Should some type of survey be sent with billings? This needs to
be followed up further.
Bruce Gibson request regarding a rebate because the meter in his
house froze. The heat was turned completely off by the owner and
the meter was not pulled. It is the responsibility of the homeowner
to protect the meter from freezing, therefore no rebate is justified
per vote of the commissioners.
Meeting dates for April set for 4/12/05 and 4/26/05.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM.
Donald T. Bates, Jr., Chairman
Danette Gonsalves, Vice Chairman
George Cavanaugh, Clerk
Craig Wiegand, Superintendent
Carol M. Connor, Secretary
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