Present: Chairman Donald T. Bates, Vice Chairman George Cavanaugh, Clerk Danette Gonsalves, Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Secretary Kelly Byrnes

Meeting called to order at 8:25 a.m. by Chairman Donald Bates.

Superintendent Wiegand discussed the Water Management Act Registration Renewal with the Board. The Department of Environmental Protection included in the renewal a new section for a drought management act. This act does not include any guidelines for the Cape if such a situation should occur. Superintendent Wiegand and other Cape water departments are appealing this act. Superintendent Wiegand sent a request for legal services to Town Counsel concerning this appeal.

A request was received from Chatham Water Department asking permission to discharge water in Harwich +/- the gravel pit as indicated on the enclosed map (see file) while performing pump tests.

Motion to approve request from Chatham Water Department made by Vice Chairman George Cavanaugh, motion seconded by Clerk Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve.

Superintendent Wiegand gave the Board an update on contract negotiations.

Chairman George Cavanaugh made a motion to approve minutes from meeting held on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, motion seconded by Clerk Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve.

The Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board has requested a three month extension for the Water Department’s appeal regarding the facts and findings in the case for account #8335.

At the next meeting, Superintendent Wiegand will be presenting the proposed rate increases to the Board.

A detailed discussion took place regarding account #6102 and request for abatement.

After further review, motion was made by Vice Chairman George Cavanaugh to deny request for abatement, motion seconded by Clerk Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve. A letter is to be sent to the customer.

A discussion took place on account #5830 and #9114 and meter test results.

Superintendent Craig Wiegand informed the Board about an issue regarding the billing of seven water accounts. The issue stemmed from the data conversion from Northern Data to our current data software Munis. Letters have been drafted notifying these customers of the software error and measures that the Water Department will be seeking for billing.

A motion to approve the letters was made by Vice Chairman George Cavanaugh, motion seconded by Chairman Donald Bates. Unanimous vote to approve. Letters were signed by Chairman Donald Bates.

February meeting dates are scheduled for February 5 and 19, 2008.

Motion to adjourn made by Vice Chairman George Cavanaugh, motion seconded by Clerk Danette Gonsalves. Unanimous vote to approve.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donald T. Bates, Jr., Chairman
Danette Gonsalves, Vice Chairman
George Cavanaugh, Clerk
Craig Wiegand, Superintendent
Kelly Byrnes, Secretary