HARWICH WATER DEPARTMENT
Water Commissioner Meeting Minutes
September 25, 2007
Present: Chairman Donald T. Bates, Vice Chairman George Cavanaugh, Clerk Danette Gonsalves, Director of Water Operations Craig Wiegand, Secretary Kelly Byrnes
Meeting called to order at 8:23 a.m.
Vice Chairman George Cavanaugh made a motion to approve minutes from meeting held on Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Motion seconded by Clerk Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve.
Terri Warner came before the Board of Water Commissioners to discuss a leak at her home at 22 Long Road this past spring. Mrs. Warner had a leak occur between the meter pit and house. A neighbor noticed a substantial amount of water in the yard and notified the Warners, who then contacted the Harwich Water Department. When the Water Department responded to the leak, 365,000 gallons had passed through the meter since April. Mrs. Warner requested assistance from the Board to help alleviate the cost of the water bill. When the Water Department responded to the leak, 365,000 gallons had passed through the meter since April. Director of Water Operations Wiegand suggested that the Board take the situation under advisement until we know exactly what the Warner’s consumption is from the fall reading. Vice Chairman Cavanaugh informed Mrs. Warner that the Board will contact her in October when the bill has been processed.
Director of Water Operations Wiegand discussed the results of the Well #10 boring. The results were not as good as Director of Water Operations Wiegand had hoped. Core samples were dug and presented to the Commissioners. The samples provided were dug at different depths through 400 feet. Most of the material is clay which means that eventually well #10 will need to be treated. Director of Water Operations explained that the most important thing right now is to get the wells in and registered as the regulations continue to get more restricted. Director of Water Operations Wiegand is looking into getting four to five wells registered and later looking at the possibility of drilling wells in the East Harwich State Park area.
The generator has been installed at the new tank and gas will be hooked up this Friday, September 28, 2007.
Station #11 has been converted to a new radio station.
A letter was received from Attorney James E. Veara regarding the claim from Mr. Campbell for the Sea Street water main break in February of this year.
Director of Water Operations Wiegand received a quote for the installation of a new 6” water main on Division Street. The cost to complete the project is $48,000, which would supply approximately six houses on the Harwich side of Division Street. Most of the homes on Division Street are located in the Town of Dennis. At such a high cost, Director of Water Operations has looked at the option of having the Town of Dennis replace the water main for the Harwich Water Department.
Director of Water Operations Wiegand asked the Board for permission to seek an agreement with the Dennis Water Department which would allow the Dennis Water Department to complete the water main replacement on Division Street.
Vice Chairman George Cavanaugh made motion to grant Director of Water Operations Wiegand permission to seek agreement with the Dennis Water Department. Motion was seconded by Clerk Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve.
Update given on contract negotiations which took place last week. Minor changes were needed, including language clarification and the addition of a section for maternity leave, as well as a section for GPS. Director of Water Operations Wiegand also made a proposal to change the contract to state that the day after Thanksgiving is a scheduled day off from work. Currently, the field staff has the option of taking the day after Thanksgiving off or the day after Christmas off. Director of Water Operations would like the contract to be the same as the rest of the Town. There will be another meeting this Thursday.
Director of Water Operations Wiegand is waiting on the cell phone companies to send information and RFPs for the cell towers.
Director of Water Operations has begun to plan next year’s budget. He would like to add two more seasonal positions and would like to include in the budget replacing the backhoe with an excavator and new dump truck. Director of Water Operations Wiegand intends to cut back on spending which will allow us to replace equipment that the Department needs.
Billing for the first cycle was successful.
Currently, fire sprinklers are not metered and Director of Water Operations is looking into metering these services.
October meeting dates are scheduled for Tuesday, October 9 and October 23, 2007.
Motion to adjourn made by Vice Chairman George Cavanaugh, motion was seconded by Clerk Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve.
Meeting adjourned at 8:53 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald T Bates, Chairman
Danette Gonsalves, Vice Chairman
George Cavanaugh, Clerk
Craig Wiegand, Superintendent
Kelly Byrnes, Secretary
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