Harwich Water & Wastewater Department

Present: Chairman Donald T. Bates, Jr., Vice Chairman Danette Gonsalves, Clerk George Cavanaugh, Superintendent Craig Wiegand, Secretary Carol M. Connor

Also Present: Selectmen Robert Peterson and Edward McManus, Town Administrator Wayne Melville, and Town Accountant David Ryan

Meeting called to order at 8:15 AM by Chairman Bates.

Bills signed as presented.

Abatements signed as presented.

Minutes of 01/04/05 meeting approved as written per motion made by Danette Gonsalves, George Cavanaugh seconded. Unanimous vote to approve.

Electric system change order form and contract signed by Board members. Water main project contracts also signed.

Letter from N Star read regarding a reduction of cost to $4,709.00 for new Oak Street storage tank.

Service applications reviewed by Board members.

Superintendent Wiegand reported on a meeting with DEP regarding new lead and copper regulations. It will be a minimum cost of approximately $8,000 to integrate the new changes into the system. We will need to put a line item into the budget to cover unexpected expenses from DEP.

A thank you note to Bruce Cahoon and Carol Connor was acknowledged by the Board of Water Commissioners.

Discussion with all present. Wayne Melville stated that he will support the agreement made with the Water Department. He is not planning to layoff any Water Department employees, but does not know what the Board of Selectmen is going to do. Question was asked as to whether the Water Department should pay our own direct costs and bill the town for water usage? George Cavanaugh also asked about raising the base rate to cover costs. Revenues did not materialize as per what the rate study projected. It was suggested that we could cut back on the capital outlay programs for this year and increase rates for each of the next two years. The new source project is approximately $100,000 and could be removed from the town meeting articles this year. The other approximately $100,000 comes from the generator article. Superintendent Wiegand would prefer to see the $210,000 given up rather than lose jobs. All those present agree. David Ryan will work on the figures and bring them back to the Board of Water Commissioners for approval.

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